ROYE, Edward James, president of Liberia, born in Newark, Ohio, 3 February, 1815; died near Monrovia, Liberia, 12 February, 1872. He was educated at the high-school in his native town and at Ohio university, Athens, Ohio. Emigrating to Liberia in 1846, he became a wealthy merchant, and was the first Liberian to export African commodities to Europe and tile United States in his own vessel. He was elected to the Liberian house of representatives, serving as speaker in 1849, was chief justice from 1865 till 1868, and was elected fifth president of Liberia, entering office in 1870. During his service the people voted on a proposition to change the presidential term from two to four years; lint it was defeated, and a new president, Joseph J. Roberts, was elected in 1871. Notwithstanding this, Mr. Roye attempted to remain at the head of the government, and he was condemned to imprisonment, lie escaped, and, while endeavoring to swim to a steamer that was bound for Liverpool, he was drowned in the harbor of Monrovia.