Throughout his ministerial career he rendered valuable services to the cause of Missions and Colonization in Africa, and was highly esteemed at home and abroad. His health having failed, he determined to make a visit to this country, with the hope to recruit, and arrived in this city on Thursday of last week, accompanied by his wife. Dr. G. C. M. Roberts and Prof. N. R. Smith were immediately called to attend him, who at once pronounced his case hopeless. The body of the Bishop was yesterday embalmed by Mr. J. H. Weaver, and it will be sent to Africa by the first opportunity, accompanied by his widow, who will continue her residence there with her family.

Bishop Burns was distinguished for his simplicity, prudence in council, and power and eloquence in the ministry. We have stood by his side in his African pulpit, and can bear testimony to the Christian graces, which eminently adorned his private and public life. Among the descendants of Africa who have sought most earnestly and labored most effectually for her redemption and elevation, his name and memory will shine with perpetual brightness. We knew not of his extreme danger, until we heard of his death. But this occurred at the right time, and the right place. Its moral effect in two continents will be of inestimable importance. It will unite the hearts and purposes of the good and faithful among his brethren in this country to imitate his noble example, and to prosecute the Christian warfare, which he fought so well, and infuse a purer flame into the church in Liberia over which he presided, and in the bosom of which his precious remains are to rest, encompassed and overshadowed by the love of his people, to whom, though dead, he will continue forever to speak.

LETTERS FROM LIBERIA.

From President Benson.

GOVERNMENT HOUSE, MONROVIA,
February 20, 1863.

REV. DEAR SIR: I think I wrote to you in December, soon after my return home. If I did not, it was owing to the pressure of public duties upon me during that and the succeeding month.

I feel very thankful to a gracious Providence for my safe return home in good health. I sent you some copies of my message by the December mail, which will give you some idea of the state of the country.

On the arrival of the M. C. Stevens, I received your letter dated October, which I thought was originally designed to be forwarded to me in England. I have duly noted the contents of the letter and thank you for the information it affords. I hope your anniversary meeting, which has just closed, was one of unusual interest, notwithstanding the trying times amidst which you now operate. I hope it will not be long before we shall see the end of the severe scenes through which your country is passing. I would to God that the voice of Jehovah was heeded, "Let my people go." The future will show, and it will be generally admitted then, that the disobeying of that injunction has been a barrier to complete success attending the Federal arms. You have been already advised of the appointment of Rev. J. P. Pinney, our Consul General to the United States, which I doubt not will give pretty general satisfaction to the friends of Colonization in the United States. Our Senate, at the session which closed on the 5th instant, ratified treaties with the United States of America, and the kingdoms of Italy and the Netherlands. Our home affairs are moving on quite encouragingly. This Government and people are under God strengthening daily. We were all highly pleased to hail the M. C. Stevens in our waters again.

I am, very dear, sir,

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Most faithfully and respectfully, yours, &c., &c.,

STEPHEN A. BENSON.

To the REV. R. R. GURLEY,

Cor. Sec. American Col. Society.

From Ex-President J. J. Roberts to the same.

MONROVIA, February 19, 1863.

DEAR SIR: I have the honor of your esteemed favor of November 13th, per M. C. Stevens; and like yourself, I, too, very much regret having seen so little of you during my recent visit to the United States. In making that visit, I had calculated upon much satisfactionin conversing with you, fully and freely, in regard to several matters relating to Liberian interests. In this expectation, however, I was disappointed. Nevertheless, I was truly glad we happened not to miss each other altogether, as it would have been a source of deep regret to me, especially in view of the doubtful prospects of our ever meeting again on this earth, unless you will decide upon another visit to Liberia. If so, rely upon it, no one can give you a heartier welcome than your humble servant.

I am happy in being able to inform you that, after so long a struggle, "Liberia College " is at last open for the admission of students. The first term commenced on the 2d instant. After a strict examination on various branches of collegiate studies, seven young men were admitted, and seven others are expected to enter

in the course of a few weeks. I feel, my dear sir, the liveliest interest in the success of this institution. The time is come when greater attention must be paid to the education of our people to fit them, not only for the important duties of self-government, but for the high and responsible task of dispensing the blessings of civilization and Christianity among the hundreds of thousands of this heathen land, who are even now locking to Liberia for instruction; and through whose instrumentality, under divine Providence, they are to be elevated from their deep degradation. I do trust that Liberia College will be liberally sustained by the friends of Liberia in the United States, and that it will prove, as I believe it destined to do, a great blessing to Africa.

I am not at all surprised that President Lincoln's Central American scheme has been so soon abandoned. I never believed it would answer. Rely upon it, sir, God designs to establish on this continent a respectable and enlightened negro nationality, and Liberia is the nucleus !

I am not aware of any local news particularly interesting. We have just entered upon another presidential campaign, and we have but little else except politics. Hon. D. B. Warner is the candidate on one side, and Hon. B. J. Drayton, of Cape Palmas, on the other. Both parties seem sanguine of success.

Mrs. Roberts joins me in kindest regards to Mrs. Gurley and yourself, and all the family.

And believe me, my dear sir,
Yours, most respectfully,

J. J. ROBERTS.

From the Rev. Wm. C. Burke to the same.

CLAY ASHLAND, LIBERIA,
February 21, 1863.

The

ESTEEMED FRIEND: I received your kind favor of the 10th of November, 1862, which gave me comfort to be able to hear from you once more, and the health of your family. My own health and that of my family are very good. R. is getting quite large. I feel quite distressed at the long and continued war of the United States; we feel it very much, though far off as we are. Southern Board has stopped all of their operations in Liberia for the last two years. We are getting along as well as might be expected, everything considered. Mr. E. Morris, from Philadelphia, has given several valuable lectures on farming operations. He has gotten a good quantity of coffee from the St. Paul's river. The attention of almost every farmer has been lately turned towards raising coffee, and I regret that they have not done so before. I am operating on a hundred acres of land, about three miles back from the river. My wish and intention is (should God permit) to plant

at least twenty-five acres in coffee; should my life be spared to see it come to perfection, I shall doubtless realize a handsome profit, and should I die before receiving the pro fit, it will be a good legacy for my children. I am truly glad to learn that the attention of many of our friends and relations are being turned towards Liberia. We need thousands, multiplied by thousands, to fill up and build, and cultivate this vast waste. In regard to the healthiness of the country, I think it will compare favorably with any other part of the known world. This may appear strange to those who have always believed that Africa's air is always filled with poisonous and deadly miasma; but my reason for so thinking, are these: in the first place, we have comparatively no doctors nor medicines in this country; yet we, as a general thing, enjoy good health. For my own part and that of my family, we enjoy excellent health, as good as we could expect anywhere in the world. In regard to interior settlements, I think that persons coming from the mountains and high lands of America, would do well to go to the mountains or high lands of this country. I have just returned from my third visit to the settlement of Caryesburg, and I find that the air is very strong and bracing on the top of that mountain, much more so than on the low lands. I believe, however, that emigrants may do well in this or any settlement in Liberia, provided that they are prudent in all things, and have good attention. My opinion in regard to the healthiness of this country, I have not arrived at hastily, but it is from observations and experience of almost ten years. The country just back of Clay Ashland is high and rolling, and the water cool, pure, and excellent; the natives strong and healthy.

The Government is just furnishing a very large and well arranged receptacle on the road to Caryesburg, about five miles from the St. Paul's river. The bridges to Caryesburg, numbering nine, are all in good order, and I could wish that they were constantly being traveled over by carts and wagons. Our election for President and Vice President will soon come on; the candidates are D. B. Warner for President; J. M. Priest, of Sinoe county, for Vice President; opposition, B. J. Drayton, of Cape Palmas, for President; A. F. Johns, of Monrovia, for Vice President. I trust in God that the best man for the general good of the nation may be elected.

Will you, my most excellent friend, be so kind as to see or inquire about my mother, whether she is still living at Arlingtou, or elsewhere. I have written again and again, and have not been able to hear a single word. I must now conclude, as my paper is so bad, I fear you will not be able to understand this bad writing.

Please remember us kindly to your family, and believe me, as ever, your humble and obedient servant,

WM. C. Burke.

P. S.-Rose begs that you will also be so kind as to inquire for her father. W. C. B.

From Mrs. M. A. Ricks to the same.

CLAY ASHLAND, February 12, 1863.

SIR: I drop you a line to inform you that I am well, hoping you and family are the same. I received yours, and was glad to hear from you and family once more; but I am sorry to hear of your long continued war. I have often thought of you and others with a sympathetic heart: Oh how many thousands have died-nation against nation—what a pity; but it is so; I hope it will soon end, and peace will reign once more. I think the time is short. We of Liberia, I believe, are going on planting. Coffee is generally being planted; in a few years coffee will be abundant-it will be the chief thing. Sugar-making is still going on; we have great calls for mills at present; the past year one part of it was a good one by reason of the down pouring of his Holy Spirt;.many were added to the church of God, both the Methodist and Presbyterians. Brother and two daughters have professed and joined in with them. The Lord is with us; the people are getting in the spirit to live. Brick-making is being carried on now more than ever. I was in Liberia before brick houses were going up. In a few years frame ones will be scarce in Liberia; they are the cheapest after all. I believe they are going to try cotton; I believe it can be raised in Africa, if not as much as can be in America; there is nothing like trying; the peoples' eyes are becoming open; I believe the day will break.

My best respects to all your family. Please receive my thanks for your kindness in sending me seed and papers.

M. A. RICKS.

From C. L. De Randamie, Agent of the Society, to the Rev. WM. MCLAIN, Financial Secretary.

BUCHANAN, January 31, 1863.

DEAR SIR: Your favor of the 14th November, enclosing a bill of lading and invoice of sundries for the M. C. Stevens, duly reached me, intended for the support of 17 emigrants for Finley settlement; and emigrants, however, preferring to remain in Monrovia, did not come down here, and I consequently have reconsigned the articles to Mr. Dennis, to the amount of $843 66, excluding 10,000 feet of lumber which was landed here, Mr. Dennis having too much of that article himself. For the proceeds of it, I will account for as soon as disposed of, which I hope will be shortly.

From H. W. Dennis, Agent, to the same.

MONROVIA, Feb. 21, 1863.

The ship has cleared, and is now ready to leave for the United States; she has in, considerable freight, and the captain concluded