A Liberian Journey

Creator

Richard Pearson Strong

Date

8/28/26

Coverage

Reppue's Town, Hinterland, Liberia

Transcription

August 28th, Saturday, Miamues.

We left Reppues town at 8:10 A. M. and arrived here at 11:05 A. M., a pleasant walk in the rain over the edge of probably low mountains. The aneroid barometer showed that we ascended to 860 feet above sea level. I sent on thirty-three loads with porters yesterday and brought all the rest of the supplies I had with me, amounting to over one half of everything accompanying the expedition. Coolidge and Allen are with me. I should have heard from George and Bequaert about the second division of our party, as I sent back two letter to them, one yesterday and one the day before. I thought that I had arranged matters so they would have no difficulty in following promptly and that at least some of the party would have reached Reppues town last night, but up to the time of leaving this A. M. no word had come from them. I left letters for them and told them of the arrangements made with the Chief of Reppue and as soon as I arrived here sent back a messenger giving them information of the route here, time of march, etc. I have also sent them each thirty porters. The remainder of my men I have just fed rice and will keep for tomorrow’s march. I expect also to get 60 fresh porters here. It seems advisable for me to reach the point of our next base camp with the tents as soon as possible, and then to send back and help the second division of the expedition along if they are not able to travel without further assistance than has been provided for them. I am now about two and a half days hard march from the contemplated point for the base camp. Nevertheless I wish that the second division or some of the men had turned up yesterday. I suppose that it is absurd to worry that they will not come through in good time after some delays, as surely George and Bequaert will be able to keep the chiefs up to their responsibilities and duties. However late Thursday night (the day I left Memmeh town) I received at Reppue a letter from Bequaert asking me to send back a copy of my order from the Secretary of the Interior as the Chief at Memmeh did not think he had authority to use “road men” for porters. As I was using 120 road men that day myself (he had supplied me with) and had expected Bequaert to use an additional 120 the following day, this was discouraging. I only hope I won’t have to travel back myself over this road and arrange things, but if they are unable to move with their supplies I may have to do so. Perhaps I have made the mistake of not waiting until I have sent all the members of the expedition before me, but then I find arrangements can not be made in advance with the next chief along the route until I arrive, and as porters have to be secured from all the surrounding towns this takes time. The plans for my marches, you see, are somewhat experimental, for I do not know exactly how much I can count upon some of the men to cope with the various problems in connection with transport and in dealing successfully with these chiefs. About everything else and their special professional work I do not worry, as they are quite able to carry it on satisfactorily with perhaps a little occasional help. I am glad we have crossed these hills with their mountain streams and rocks today. It tells me we are really in the interior of Liberia.

Type

Diary

Citation