The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1847-12-10
barious 1flattrrs.
A Republic in Africa.
Liberia has declared herself free


Liberia has declared herself free!
ltis called, and will be hereafierknown
as the REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA.
Gov. Roberts, native of Norfolk, and
known to many Of our citizens, notified
Commodore Read of the change on tie
10th September, and presented him with
an address and copy of the Constitution
ofthe new republic. The address opens
with rapid historical sketch of The col.
ony; states its growth and resources; its
prosperity; and concludes with the fol-
lowing appeal:
Therefore, in the name of humanity,
and virtue, and religion-in the name of
the Great God, our common Creator, and
our common Judge, we appeal to the ma
tlons OF Christendom, and earnestly and
respectfully ask of them that they will
regard US with the sympathy and friendly
consideration to which the peculiarities
Of our condition entitle us, and to ex.
tend to US that comfy which marks the
friendly intercourse of civilized aud in.
dependent communities.
After the address. follows a declara.
ton ofrights. The Constitution, in spir-
it and letter, is similar to those of this
Union. We copy few of its articles.
the first, Of course, is general:
THE power is Inherent in the people;
all free governments are instituted by
their authority, and for their benefit, and
they have rightto alter and reform the
same when their safety and happiness re-
quire it.
"Al men have a natural and unaliena
BILE right to worship God according to the
dictates of their own consciences, with
out obstruction or moestation from 9TH
ers; all persons demeaning themselves
peaceably, and not obstructng others in
their worship, are entitled to the protec-
ton of law in the free exercise of their
own religion, and no sect of Christians
shall have exclusive privileges or prefer
ence over any othr sect, but all shall be
alike tolerated; andno relgioustest what
ever shall be required as qualification
for civil office, Or the exercise ofany civ
| il right.
The powers of this government shall
be divided into three distinct depart
ments, the legislative. executive, and ju-
dicial; and no person belonging to one of
those departments shall exercise any of
the powers belonging to either of the 9th
ers, This section is not to be construed
to include justices of the peace.
The liberty of the press is essential to
the security yof freedom in State; it ought
not, therefore, to be restrained in this re.
public. The printing press shall be free
to every person who undertakes to ex-
anime the proceedings of the Legisla-
ture or any branch of governments and
now law shall ever be made to restrain
the rights thereof. The free communica-
ton of thoughts and opinions is one of
the invaluable rights of man; and every
citizen may freely speak, write, and print
on any subject, being responsible for that
liberty.
In prosecutions for the publication OF
papers investigating the official conduct
of officer. Or men in public capacity, OF
where the matter published is proper fol
lpublic information, the truth thereof may
be given in evidence. And in all indct.
ments for lbels, the jury shall have the
right to determine the law and the facts
under the direction of the courts, as in
other cases."
The second article relates to the Leg
islatioe power. The Legislature is to
consist of two branches-a House OF
Representatives and Senate. The APP
portionment, g., are arranged;
The representatives. shall be elected
by and with the inhabitants of the sever
al counties of Liberia, and shall be ap,
portioned among the several counties o
Liberia as follows: the county of Mont
seTado shall have four representatives.
the county of Grand Bassa shall have
three, and the county of Since shall have
one; and all counties hereafter that shal
be admitted into the republic shall have
one representative, and for every tel
thousand inhabitants one representative
shall be added. No person shall be ;
representative who has not resided in the
county two whole years Immediately pre-
vious to his election, aud who shall not
when elected, be an inhabitant of The
county, and does not own real estate o
not less value than one hundred and fifty
dollars in the county in which he resides
who shall not have attained the age o
twenty-three years; the representative
shall be elected biennially; aud shall serve
two years from the time Of their election.
"The Senate shall consist of two mem
bers from Montserrado county, and two
from Bassa county, two from Since coun
ty, and two from each county which ma,
he hereafter incorporated into this repub
lie. No person shall be Senator whc
shall not have resided three whole year
Immediately previous to his election il
the republic Of Liberia, and who shal
not, when elected, be an inhabitani of th
county which he represents and does no
own real estate of not less value than tw'
hundred dollars in The county which h,
represents, and who shall have not attain
ed the age of twenty-five years. The sen
ator for each county who shall have tn
highest number of votes shall retain hi
seat four years, end the one who sha
have the next highest number of vote