SIR--By a Convention of Colored People of the United States and the
Canadas, Martin R. Delany, Robert Douglass, Robert Campbell, Amos
Aray, and James W. Purnell, were appointed as Commissioners under
the name of the 'Niger Valley Exploring Party,' to make an
Exploration through different parts of Africa.

I have arrived, Sir, near your Government, and expect soon to meet
other members of the party. Any aid, orally, documentary, or in the
person of an Official Commissioner, which you may please to give to
facilitate the mission in Liberia will be gratefully and highly
appreciated. I ask the favor of an interview with your Excellency,
either privately or in Cabinet Council, or with any other gentlemen
that the occasion may suggest, at such time as may be designated.

I am happy, Sir, of the opportunity of giving your Excellency
assurance of my most distinguished consideration.

M. R. DELANY

His Excellency, President Benson. Government House, Monrovia,
July 13, 1859

SIR--I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of
the 12th instant, conveying to me the information of your
appointment (in connection with colleagues expected soon to
arrive), by a Convention of the colored people of the United States
and the Canadas, 'Commissioners,' under the name of 'The Niger
Valley Exploring Party'; and of your arrival near this Government.
You have also been pleased to signify, that you will duly
appreciate any aid, oral, documentary or in the form of an official
Commissioner this Government may feel disposed to afford you, in
facilitation of the enterprise.

In reply, I have to express my deep regret, that the receipt of
your very interesting note is on the very eve of my leaving this
city on an official visit to the leeward counties, which will, for
the present, deprive me of the pleasure I had anticipated of an
interview with you on the very interesting and highly important
objects of your mission.

The Hon. John N. Lewis, Secretary of State, with whom I will
converse on the subject matter of your note before leaving, will be
pleased to grant you an audience; and will, with pleasure, meet
your wishes, so far as he can consistently.

Please be reassured of the deep interest I feel in your very
laudable enterprise; and