The culmination of a dispute with Great Britain over the north-western boundary of Liberia is perhaps the most interesting topic of her recent history.  The boundaries of the Republic were never very definitely marked out, as her territory grew by gradual settlement and purchase from native chiefs.  Even to-day there is no hard and fast interior border line; the country extends back indefinitely from the coast, new land being taken up as settlement proceeds.  In 1849 the coast line acquired in this way extended from the San Pedro River on the south-east to Cape Mount, the extreme settlement on the north-west.  Between 1849 and 1852 various purchases were made from the natives covering some fifty miles more of the north-western seaboard.  These purchases extended to She-Bar, very near Sherbro Island, and were confirmed by formal deeds from chiefs of the local tribes.  The conditions of the deeds bound Liberia to establish schools in the districts ceded, and to guarantee the protection, peace and safety of the natives.  If now a few settlements had been made in this territory all future trouble would have been avoided; but all available energy was needed for intensive development, and the newly acquired territory was left uncolonized.  In the course of time English traders established themselves within this district, who refused to recognize Liberia’s jurisdiction, and who smuggled in large quantities of goods in bold defiance of the revenue laws.  As early as 1866 correspondence with the British Government was opened; and Liberia’s jurisdiction was more than once virtually recognized.  Matters were complicated by the outbreak of disturbances among the natives, in quelling which the Republic was obliged to use military force—­a course which resulted in the destruction of property belonging to the English traders.  Claims were at once brought against Liberia through the English Government to a large aggregate amount.  Holding Liberia liable for damages received in the territory was a practical admission of her jurisdiction.  Nothing was accomplished until 1871, when Lord Granville proposed to President Roye, who was then in England, to compromise on the River Solyma as the limit of the Republic.  This is about the middle of the disputed territory.  Roye weakly agreed, and this agreement is known as the Protocol of 1871.  It was not ratified by the Senate.  The tact of President Roberts staved off the crisis for some time; but at length the English Foreign Office demanded a settlement, and a commission of two from each State and an arbitrator appointed by the President of the United States met on the ground.  Every possible delay and impediment was resorted to by the British commissioners, who further refused to submit the points disputed to the umpire.  Of course, no agreement was reached.