An African Republic follows the experiences of the emigrants from Virginia to Liberia, where some became the leadership class, consciously seeking to demonstrate black abilities, while others found greater hardship and early death. Tyler-McGraw carefully examines the tensions between racial identities, domestic visions, and republican citizenship in Virginia and Liberia. --from publisher description.

A small frisson of fear, soon soothed -- The alchemy of colonization -- Auxiliary arms - Ho, all ye that are by the pale-faces' law oppressed: out of Virginia -- My old mistress promise me -- Revising the future in Virginia -- Virginians in Liberia -- Liberians in Africa and America -- Civil War to white city.