Members of the American Colonization Society, who…

Members of the American Colonization Society, who were citizens of the United States, had in 1821 established a colony on Cape Mesurado in West Africa for formerly enslaved African-Americans, mirroring British efforts in neighboring Freetown (Sierra Leone).

From the beginning, the colonists had suffered attacks by such indigenous peoples as the Malinké tribes, and suffer also from diseases, the harsh climate, lack of food and medicine, and poor housing conditions.

Through 1835, five more colonies will be started by American Societies other than the ACS, and one by the U.S. government, all on the same West African coast.

The first colony on Cape Mesurado had been extended, along the coast as well as inland, sometimes by use of force, and in 1824 named Liberia, with Monrovia as its capital.

Jamaica-born African American abolitionist John B. Russwarm, having become a supporter of African resettlement, moves to Liberia in 1829, working as an editor, educator, and public official.