Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-11-12
THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA.

Letters received at The Navy Department BY
the U. S. brig Dolphin, in % days from Porto
Praya, (Cape de Yerd islands,) announce the in
tcre.liug fact that The colony of Liberia has pro-
claimed itself an independent nation, under The
he Union says, was born in Norfolk, and lived
afterwards in Petersburg, Virginia. We have
met with him in this city. and can corrobora;e the
EJUu manners, ana mucH fesietmG I3cGLand 81
know him. He has exchanged many ciyiliiies al
Monrovia with our squadron.
The Constitution OF this new republic is in the
possession Of The Union. 1t opens with rapid
historical sketch Of The establishment and The
prosperity Of the colony, which concludes with
the following appeal
"Thercforc, in the name OF humanity, and vir-
tue, and religion-in the name of the Great God,
our common Creator, and our common Judge,
we appeal 10 the nations Of Chrislendom, and ear
nestly and respectfully ask Of them that they will
regard US with the sympathy and friendly consi-
deralion 10 which The peculiarties Of our condi-
lion enli,le us, and to extend to us tina, comfy
which marks The friendly intercourse Of civilized
and independent communities"
The Declaration Of Rights follows-many Of the
provisions Of which are copied from The Stale
Constitutions of The United States. II asserts the
great principles OF civil and religious freedom,
and The liberty of speech and of The press. II de-
clares that The powers OF The government. shall be
divided into three distinct departments, The legs.
lative, executive and Judicial. The Legislature
is TO consist Of TWO branches, senate and house
of represcnaives-he senators 10 hold their Of
office four years, and the representatives 10 be
chosen biennially. The supreme executive pow
er is vested in president, elected by the people,
and TO hold his Office two years. He, with The
advice and consent Of The senate, is 10 appoint all
officers OF state, civil and military, whose appoint
ment may not be Otherwise provided icr by The
cons,il ulion or standing laws. There shall also
be vice president, elected by the people Tor Two
years, who shall be president Of the senate and
give The casting vote when the house is equally
divided on any subject.
The constitution concludes thus:
"Done in convention al Monrovia, in tie
county Of Monlserrado by The unanimous con-
sent OF the people Of the Commonwealth OF Libe-
ria. this twenty sixth day OF July, in The year OF
our Lord enc thousand eight hundred and ioriy-
seven, and o! tie republic The first. In witness
whereof we have ae'elu sri Cur names"
MfNaoyrA, July 29ih, l647.
Fellow ciiizsrs: Having finished our laburs,
we now have the honor OF submitting 10 your
consideration, through The governor that conslu.
lion which in our opinion will best suit The pecu-
liar circumstances Of The people Of this infant re-
public. That our labors will meet the full appro-
baton Of every individual citizen, is scarcely 10
be expected. We trust, however, that large
majority OF our fellow-cilizens will approve our
doings, and adopt The constitution herewith sub
miited.
In our deliberations, we endeavored to keep our
minds steadily fixed upon The great objects OF CT.
vii government, AMI have done what we concev-
ed 10 be best Tor the general interest Of this rising
republic. We endeavored carefully 10 arrange
every subject lha, might possibly arise calculated
10 disturb in the least The friendly feeling which
now 80 happily subsisis between The different
counties Of this republic. We felt deeply The
importance and magnitude oil the work submit
ted 10 our hands, and have done the very best we
could in order to afford general satisfaction.
In view Of the PECULIARLY OF our circumstan.
ces, the new position we have assumed is indeed
a gigantic one, and the government now calls 10
lis support every citizen who is al all interested
or concerned for The safety aud future prosperity
OF This our only home.
With great respect, we have the honor OF being
your obedient and humble servants
BY the unanimous order Of the convention:
SAMUEL BENEDICT, President,
A letter from Lieutenant Commanding Bell,
United States Brig Boxer, received by The Dol
phin, says that in his cruise he overhaued an
American brig, J. w. Huntington, owned in
New York, from Rio Janeiro, with the usual as.
sorted cargo on board, and lumber enough for a
slave deck. The Malaga aud The American brig
Senator were also out from Rio with such
cargo, and similarly chartered. The Senator
now lies scut,led in Rio. Having safely landed
the slaves a, Cape Frio, she proceeded into Rio
under Brazilian colors, where her owners were
suffered TO strip her of all her furniture, and then
The Government seized her as no docnmen,
vessel-the American crew having left her al
Loarso, where The slaves were taken on board.
"In these transactions (says Lieutenant Com.
handing Belly you perceive The mode in which |
he American flag covers and promotes trade |
which no other flag can, and The base uses 10 |
which II is applied by foreigners who have no,
he manliness TO vindicate thesfreedom Of their
own.
"The American factor a, this place i, the