the cape mesurado colony faced many of the same barriers to success as the previous colony at sherbro island: little supplies, as well as swampy and unhealthy conditions. there was also conflict with local tribes, who resented the now americo-liberian residents - who had been slaves or the children of former slaves in the united states before their emigration to africa - trying to put an end to the slave trade. led by lott carey and elijah johnson, the americo-liberians organized their own defense against local attacks and rejected british military assistance in exchange for hoisting the union jack on cape mesurado. during the battle of fort hill on 1 december 1822 colonist matilda newport is alleged to have repelled an attack by lighting a cannon with an ember from her pipe. the holiday matilda newport day commemorated her action until its abolishment in 1980.