A Liberian Journey

Creator

Richard Pearson Strong

Date

11/7/26

Coverage

Monrovia, Montserrado County, Liberia

Transcription

Copy of letter from R. Strong to Reed Paige Clark, containing affidavit No. 1.

Monrovia, Liberia
November 7th 1926.

Honorable Reed Paige Clark
Chargé d' Affaires
American Legation
Monrovia, Liberia, West Africa

Dear Mr. Clark:

I regret that it has become necessary for me to ask the American Legation at Monrovia to take steps to secure proper redress for the totally unwarranted and unjustifiable insults heaped upon Dr. George C. Shattuck and myself, presumably by members of the Liberian Police Department, on Saturday morning, November 6th, 1926, at the house in which we have been residing and also on our way to and at the Police Station in Monrovia.

The insults were so gross in nature that I feel it incumbent upon me, as an American citizen to protest against them both in behalf of Dr. Shattuck and myself, as members or the Harvard African Expedition carrying on investigations authorized here by the Liberian Government, as well as for the future protection of other American citizens.

To state the evidence briefly: This morning, just as I was about to leave my temporary residence in Monrovia, known as Firestone Bungalow No. 1, a party of police officers and others, some eight or ten people, confronted me on the steps of the verandah and said they had come to arrest two people in the house. Thinking that they might have come in connection with some of the recent robberies that had occurred in this house, I asked them whom they wished to arrest. In reply I was ordered in an insulting tone to “stand aside from the steps” and the statement was made that if I was not careful I would be handcuffed and locked up with all the other Americans in the house. The policemen declined to say whether or not they had a warrant to search the house or to arrest me or any of the other members of my Expedition, or even whom they wished to arrest, although I asked to be shown one if they possessed it.

A party of them went up the front steps and three of them were left to guard me at the foot of the steps. I then said who I was and asked by what authority I was detained at the foot of the stairs and I was told that I could ask the Chief of Police later. Presently I saw Dr. Shattuck descending the steps with two of the policemen, one of whom called out to me to “stand aside” that he might “march out his prisoner.” There was plenty of room for anyone to pass me at the foot of the stairs.

At this time, Mr. Hines appeared and asked the police officer to take Dr. Shattuck to the police station with him in his automobile in order to avoid publicity of the crowd that was collected. One of the officers shouted out in derision, “These prisoners are to be marched publicly through the streets to the police station and locked up.”

As Dr. Shattuck is a member of the Harvard Expedition, obviously, I believed that the responsibility of his proper treatment rested upon me and I said to him that I would walk down to the Station with him. A policeman shouted out that I would do no such thing and if I dared to walk with him he would mash my face in. I then proceeded to walk near Dr. Shattuck, but not next to him, as there was a policeman on each side of him and one behind. The man apparently in charge shouted out that if I came near I was to be knocked off the road and that I would be given to understand how Liberia could treat Americans and I was jostled to the side of the road. It was also stated that I would be severely punished for what I had done, that the Liberians would show me how they treated white people, etc.

I said to Dr. Shattuck as we neared the station, not to worry, that I would immediately take steps to secure bail for him, A policeman replied that if I did not shut my mouth he would mash it in and if I dared to put my foot on the steps of the Police Station he would arrest me. Later this policeman called out march the prisoner down there over those hard stone steps,l make him take long steps and step out, it will do him good.

On reaching the Station I was again told not to dare to put my foot on the steps or I would be arrested, that they were men who did not trifle. I asked to be permitted to see the police officer in charge of the station in order that I might inquire about securing bail for Dr. Shattuck, but my request was treated with derision. After waiting outside the steps of the station for some minutes another policeman came out on the steps and told me to go to the Chief of Police if I wished any information. This was the only decent statement that was made to me by any of the policemen since they entered the house where I have been temporarily residing.

During the walk to the station, numerous epithets were hurled at Americans, white men and the Firestone Plantations Company, and I was accused of maltreating the Liberian people. Although I was in no way connected with the circumstances leading up to this arrest, I was subjected to the most insulting treatment, some of which was undoubtedly carried out with the object of inciting me to commit some form of assault or violence against the offenders in order that I also might be arrested. The experience, to say the least, was a most unpleasant one.

I had a piece of paper and a pencil in my pocket and partially to divert my attention, I noted down some of the insolent, insulting and vindictive remarks made. The provocation to resist these insults was naturally exceedingly strong but with the thought constantly in mind that my investigations were being carried on in Liberia, with the approval of the Liberian Government, and that our Expedition had been accredited by our State Department, I was able to control these impulses.

While I believe that the Liberian Government will not permit such acts of hostility to foreigners to go unpunished, I repeat that I feel it is incumbent for the future safety of American citizens as well as other foreigners visiting this country that steps be taken to apprehend and severely punish the offenders and also those responsible for their action. I am,
Yours very truly,

(Sgd.) Richard P. Strong.

Republic of Liberia
Montserrado Country
Commonwealth District of Monrovia
Legation and Consulate General of the U. S. A.

The above letter acknowledged and sworn to before me this 9th day of November A.D, 1926.

Reed Paige Clark Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of the United States of America.

Type

Diary

Citation