The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1847-11-20
n 7sepabiIc in Africa.

II is called, and will be hereafter known, as
the REryBLIc or LIBERIA.
Gov. RoBERrs, native of Norfolk, and known
to many of our citizens, notified Commodore
Read of the change on the 10th Sept, and pre-
scented him with an address and a copy Of the
Constitution of the new republic. The address
opens with a rapid historical sketch ofths colo
Perityi and concludes with the following 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 nations Of Chrstendom,
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 entite us, and TO extend to us
that comfy which marks the friendly inter-
course Of eiyilized and independent communi-
/ ties"
After the address, follows a deelara tiOn Of
rights. Tbs Constitution, in spirit and letter.
is similar to those of the States of the Union
We copy few Gifts articles, the first, of course,
is general:
"The power is inherent in the people; all free
governments are Instituted by their authority,
aud for their benefit, and they have a right 10
alter and reform the same when their safety and
happiness require il.
"All men have a natural and unalienabe right
TO worship God according 10 the dictates Of their
| own consciences, without obstruction or mo-
lestation from others; all persons demeaning
themselves peaceably y, and not obstructng 9TH
ers in their worship are entitled to the protec-
ton Of law in the free exercise Of their own re-
! ligion, and no sect OF Christians shall have ex-
elusive privileges or preference over any other
sect, but all shall be alike tolerated. and no reli-
giOus test whatever shall be required as a luali-
fication for civil office, or the exercise of any civ
IL right
"The powers Of this government shall be di-
vided into three distinct departments, the legis-
laiive, executive, and judicial; and no person
belonging to one Of these depart menis shall K
ercise any Of the powers belonging TO either of
the Others. This section is not TO be construed
TO include justices of the peace.
"The liberty Of the press is essential to the Sc
curity of freedom in State; il ought not
therefore, to be restrained in this republic The
printing press shall be free to every person who
undertakes to examine the proceedings of the
Legislature or any branch Of government; and
no law shall ever be made to restrain the rights
thereof. The free communication Of thoughts
and opinions is one Of the invaluable rights Of
X,
and print on any subject, being responsible for
that liberty.
"ln prosecutions for the publication Of papers
investigating the official conduct of officers, or
men In public capacity, OF where the matter
published is proper for public information, the
truth thereof may be given in evidence. And
in all indictments for libes, the Jury shall have
the right to determine the law and tho faets,
under the direction Of the court as in other
cases"
The second article relates TO the Legislative
power. The Legislature is TO consist Of two
branches House Representatives and Sem
ate. The appOrtiOnment, &C., are arranged
"The representatives shall be elected by and
for the inhabitants Of the several counties Of Lii
IBERIA, and shall be apportioned among the seve-
raj counties of Liberia follows: the county of
Montserrado shall have four represe natives,
the county of Grand Bassa shall have three, and
the county Of Since shall have one: and all
counties hereafter that shall be admitted into the
republic shall have one representative, and for
every ten thousand inhabitants one representa-
tive shall be ADDED. No person shall be a repre-
sentative who has not resided in the county two
whole years Immediately previous TO his election,
and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabl-
tant of the county, and does not own real es-
tate of net less value than one hundred and fif-
ly dollarsin the county in which he resides,
and whos shall not have attained the age of twen-
iy-three years; the representatives shall be
elected biennally, and shall serve two years from
The time of their election
"The Senate shall consist Of two members
from Moniserrado county, and two from Bassa
county, two from Since county, and two from
each county which may be hereafter incorpora-
ted into this republic. Noperson shall be u Sena-
tor who shall not have resided three whole years
immediately previous TO his election in the re-
public Of Liberia, and who shall not. when elect
ell, be an inhabitant Of the county which he re-
presents and does not own real estate Of not less
value than two hundred dollars in the county
which he represents, and who shall not have at
tanned the age Of twenty five years. The sena-
tor for each county who shall have the highest
number Of votes shall retain his seat four years,
and the who shall have the next highest
number Of votes two years, and all who are af-
forwards elected to fill their seats shall remain in
office four years."
The Sd article Of the constitution relates TO
the ereeaiips poner:
"SEcTIos l.. The supreme executive power