Edward J. Roye

Bio

E.J. Roye’s story begins with his father John Roye, a former slave from Kentucky, and his wife Nancy who moved to Newark, Ohio. The elder Roye was a successful land owner and partial owner of a Wabash River ferry. Edward James Roye was born in Newark, Ohio in 1815. He was of pure African descent from the Ibo tribe of Nigeria. He inherited his father’s wealth and worked as a barber during his early years.

Although he briefly taught at Chillicothe, he was more business focused and involved in various ventures including real estate. With his mind fixed on higher achievements, he was convinced to move to Liberia. Soon after his wife died, he left Terre Haute, Indiana on May 1, 1846 for Liberia.

Education

Roye’s family’s wealth afforded him a good education in the USA, although his parents were uneducated. His early education was in Newark, Ohio. He attended the University of Athens, Ohio (1832-1835) and Oberlin College between 1845 and 1846.

Career

1830	Barber and Real Estate in the USA
1836	Teacher in Chillicothe, Ohio, USA
1846	Merchant
1849	Representavie (Speaker of the House)
1854	Journalist, published the Liberia Sentinel for one year
–	Secretary of the Treasury
–	Associate Justice
1865 – 1868	Chief Justice
1870 – 1871	President

In Liberia, Roye’s became a wealthy merchant with a successful import-export business, with his own ships and warehouses. He also excelled in politics, serving as Speaker of the House of Representative, an Associate Justice and later Chief Justice.

A decline in the national economy had many people looking for a new leadership and solutions. They called on the richest man in the nation for a new direction and economic recovery. Like President Benson, Roye was of pure African descent. His election on the True Whig party ticket marked the weakening of Republican dominance in Liberian politics. Holly Lynch, in her account of Blyden, notes that Roye was:

Presidency

Roye won the presidency in May 1869 in a contested election decided by the House of Representatives, unseating the incumbent President James S. Payne. He believed in true blackness and is thought to have resented mulatto influence on the nation. He was of the conviction that Liberia’s future relied on including the natives as part of the republic. In his inaugural address was an ambitious plan that would involve:

In order to finance these plans, he negotiated a loan of #100,000 with the British, having the permission of the Liberian Legislature. The loan was finally arranged between David Chinery (British Consul-General) and two Liberian commissioners – House Speaker Anderson and Interior Secretary H.W.R. Johnson. The terms of this loan proved very unfavorable to Liberia and angered many.

The constitutional amendment of 1869 (when Roye was elected) changed the presidential term to 4 years. This would have been in the interest of the Republicans if the Payne had remained in office. Although the House declared the Constitution amended, the Senate did not approve the amendment and the proposal was resubmitted in the election of 1870. Results from this election were disregarded and the presidential term remained at 2 years.

It is noted that Roye and former President Roberts were adversaries. With Roye claiming his term was 4 years and an election in his second year (1871) was unconstitutional; Roberts, a Republican, ran unopposed in May 1871. Roye said the elections were illegal and his term would end in 1874, but the Republicans claimed that the amendment had not passed.

There was chaos in Monrovia and Roye was arrested and jailed. Rancor over the British loan and disagreement about the presidential term lead to Liberia’s first coup. The Legislature ousted President Roye through a manifesto in October 1871.

Post Presidency

A de facto Executive Committee comprising Charles Benedict Dunbar, Reginald A. Sherman and Amos Herring took charge of the country. VP James S. Smith had been out of Monrovia when the events occurred. Upon his return, they had Smith take over the presidency and he completed Roye’s term. This was attempt to show that they were following the constitution.

Roye died in February 1872. Some accounts claim that he escaped jail and drowned while swimming towards a British Vessel off the Liberian coast. Others state that a canoe taking him to the vessel capsized and he died. Some assert that he was captured and dragged to his death in the streets of Monrovia. The true story of his demise remains a mystery.

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Sources

References

Burrowes, Carl Patrick. Power and Press Freedom in Liberia, 1830-1970 : the Impact of Globalization and Civil Society on Media-government Relations. Trenton, NJ: Africa World Press, 2004. Print.

Cassell, Abayomi. Liberia: History of the First African Republic. New York. Fountainhead Publishers, 1970. Print.

Ciment, James. Another America : the Story of Liberia and the Former Slaves Who Ruled It. 1st ed. New York: Hill and Wang, 2013. Print.

Elections in Liberia. African Elections Database. 25 Nov. 2011. Web.

Holden, Edith. Blyden of Liberia. Vintage Press, New York. 1966. Web. 17 Jul. 2013.

Huberich, Charles Henry. The Political and Legislative History of Liberia : a Documentary History of the Constitutions, Laws and Treaties of Liberia from the Earliest Settlements to the Establishment of the Republic, a Sketch of the Activities of the American Colonization Societies, a Commentary on the Constitution of the Republic and a Survey of the Political and Social Legislation from 1847 to 1944 : with Appendices Containing the Laws of the Colony of Liberia, 1820-1839, and Acts of the Governor and Council, 1839-1847. New York: Central Book Co., 1947. Print.

Kraaij, FPM Van Der. “19th century colonists (‘Americo-Liberians’).” Liberia Past And Present. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2013.

Liebenow, J. Liberia : the Quest for Democracy. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1987. Print.

Lynch, Hollis Ralph. Edward Wilmot Blyden; Pan-Negro Patriot, 1832-1912. Oxford University Press, 1970. Print.

Richardson, Nathaniel R. Liberia’s Past and Present. Diplomatic Press and Pub. Co., 1959. Print.

Wilson, Charles Morrow. Liberia: Black Africa in Microcosm. [1st ed.]. Harper & Row, 1971. Print.

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