ROBERTS, JOSEPH JENKINS
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Joseph Jenkins Roberts, (1809-1876) businessman, soldier, educator, and statesman, was born on March 15, 1809, in Norfolk, Virginia, and migrated to Liberia in 1892.
As a successful businessman, he financed the education of numerous tribal boys. As a soldier, he helped to destroy the slave trade, end intertribal wars, and to pacify the hinterland. As an educator, he encouraged equal access to education at all levels for all people. As a statesman, he laid the basis for the unification of tribal and non-tribal citizens, and for economic and social development.
He was made High Sheriff four years after he reached Liberia. In 1839 when separate colonies on the West African Coast combined to form a Commonwealth, Roberts was chosen as Vice Governor. Then when Thomas Buchanan died, he became Governor of Liberia. He had a difficult task to perform since foreign traders violated customs laws and even dared to establish themselves on Liberian territory apparently, with the approval of Great Britain. To end that state of affairs it was decided to declare Liberia independent.
A Constitutional Convention on July 26, 1847, completed a declaration of independence, a republican constitution and designs for a national flag and seal. He set September 27, 1847 for a referendum and for choosing a president and vice president. The constitution was adopted and Roberts was elected president.
After his inauguration in 1848, he tackled his task with determination and courage, improving agriculture and education. He dealt with the problems of intertribal wars, poverty, disease and national instability at home and simultaneously sought to improve Liberia’s position abroad.
As President, he visited the United States and Europe to gain recognition for his government and to conclude an agreement with the American Colonisation Society on its future relationships with Liberia. In America, he made satisfactory arrangements with the American Colonisation Society, but the United States Government did not recognise Liberia.
The British Government, however, recognised Liberia and permitted him to address the Peace Congress in Brussels. He received money from Lord Ashley and Samuel Gurney, to assist in payment for the Gallinas territory between Liberia and Sierra Leone to empower Liberia to abolish slave trading there. In London, he met officials of several countries, and in France was warmly received by Napoleon III. As a result of this mission, England and France recognised Liberia, and both countries made gifts to her. After four successful terms in the presidency and recognition by the major world powers, Roberts retired and became President of Liberia College.
When the county was disturbed by a political crisis in 1871, Roberts was again elected president. During two additional terms of office, he recognised the political rights of tribesmen to sit in the Liberian Legislature as representatives of their people. In his annual message in 1874, he pointed to the advance in that direction because of the presence of tribal chiefs in the legislature and regarded it as a good augury for the future of Liberia. In his inaugural address of January 1848, he showed his concern for the plight of Africana on the continent and urged Africans to work for their own betterment.
He was a wise statesman who laid the foundation for the unity, fraternity, and progress of his country. In his will, he left 10,000 dollars and a coffee farm for educating tribal youth. He died in 1876
DORIS BANKS HENRIES
