Liberia, Monrovia, November, 7th, 1839, "dateline on three page letter from Vice Governor Joseph J. Roberts to Benjamin Coates in Philadelphia, entered the mails with red "Norfolk, Va., Jan 16" cds with matching straight line "Ship" and manuscript "20¾" rate, letter written after his return from America and sent back on the same ship he returned on ("per Saluda")…I am again on terifirma "In the land of free and the home of the oppressed", writes about being badly treat in America, boast of Governer Buchanan and his plans for the colony; file folds, otherwise Very Fine. Estimate  $300 - 400. Joseph Jenkins Roberts was the first and seventh President of Liberia (1848-1856) and (1872?1876). Born free in Norfolk, Virginia, he emigrated to Liberia in 1829, opened a trading store in Monrovia and later engaged in politics. When Liberia became independent in 1847, Roberts was elected the first president, serving until 1856. In 1872 he was elected again to serve as Liberia's seventh president. $0 (Image)