Liberian Declaration of Independence
Encyclopedia
The Liberian Declaration of Independence is a document adopted by the Liberian Constitutional Convention on 16 July 1847 to announce that the Commonwealth of Liberia, a colony founded and controlled by the private American Colonization Society
, was now an independent state known as the Republic of Liberia. The Declaration was written by Hilary Teague
and adopted simultaneously with first Constitution of Liberia
. The anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration and accompanying Constitution is celebrated as Independence Day in Liberia.
The Declaration articulates the history of the Americo-Liberians that settled the Commonwealth and sets out the aspiration of Liberia to be accepted as a free and independent state within the "comity which marks the friendly intercourse of civilized and independent communities." Listing the injustices committed against African Americans as a result of slavery in the United States, the Declaration notes the foundation of the colony by the American Colonization Society, as well as their gradual withdrawal from governance in favor of increasing self-governance by the immigrated colonists. The noted goal of Liberia is declared to be both to establish a state built upon the structure and principles of the law of nations and the Christianization
and modernization of the indigenous peoples of the region.
The Declaration partially relied upon the United States Declaration of Independence
, in particular its discussion of natural law
:
Furthermore, its listing of injustices perpetrated by the United States
parallels the charges set forth in the United States Declaration of Independence against King George III. However, the Liberian Declaration asserts no right of revolution
, but instead frames its independence as the inevitable and planned purpose of the colony by the American Colonization Society. The Society, having surrendered all control of the colony in January 1846, had fully encouraged the independence of Liberia.
Montserrado County
Grand Bassa County
Sinoe County
American Colonization Society
The American Colonization Society , founded in 1816, was the primary vehicle to support the "return" of free African Americans to what was considered greater freedom in Africa. It helped to found the colony of Liberia in 1821–22 as a place for freedmen...
, was now an independent state known as the Republic of Liberia. The Declaration was written by Hilary Teague
Hilary Teague
Hilary Teage was an Americo-Liberian merchant, journalist, and politician in the early years of the West African nation of Liberia. A native of the U.S. state of Virginia, he was known for his oratory skills, and he pushed for Liberian independence from the American Colonization Society...
and adopted simultaneously with first Constitution of Liberia
Liberian Constitution of 1847
The Liberian Constitution of 1847 was the first constitution of Liberia. Largely modeled on the Constitution of the United States, it remained in effect from its adoption on 26 July 1847 until its suspension by the People's Redemption Council on 12 April 1980....
. The anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration and accompanying Constitution is celebrated as Independence Day in Liberia.
The Declaration articulates the history of the Americo-Liberians that settled the Commonwealth and sets out the aspiration of Liberia to be accepted as a free and independent state within the "comity which marks the friendly intercourse of civilized and independent communities." Listing the injustices committed against African Americans as a result of slavery in the United States, the Declaration notes the foundation of the colony by the American Colonization Society, as well as their gradual withdrawal from governance in favor of increasing self-governance by the immigrated colonists. The noted goal of Liberia is declared to be both to establish a state built upon the structure and principles of the law of nations and the Christianization
Christianization
The historical phenomenon of Christianization is the conversion of individuals to Christianity or the conversion of entire peoples at once...
and modernization of the indigenous peoples of the region.
The Declaration partially relied upon the United States Declaration of Independence
United States Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was a statement adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, which announced that the thirteen American colonies then at war with Great Britain regarded themselves as independent states, and no longer a part of the British Empire. John Adams put forth a...
, in particular its discussion of natural law
Natural law
Natural law, or the law of nature , is any system of law which is purportedly determined by nature, and thus universal. Classically, natural law refers to the use of reason to analyze human nature and deduce binding rules of moral behavior. Natural law is contrasted with the positive law Natural...
:
We recognize in all men certain inalienable rights; among these are life, liberty, and the right to acquire, possess, enjoy, and defend property.
Furthermore, its listing of injustices perpetrated by the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
parallels the charges set forth in the United States Declaration of Independence against King George III. However, the Liberian Declaration asserts no right of revolution
Right of revolution
In political philosophy, the right of revolution is the right or duty, variously stated throughout history, of the people of a nation to overthrow a government that acts against their common interests...
, but instead frames its independence as the inevitable and planned purpose of the colony by the American Colonization Society. The Society, having surrendered all control of the colony in January 1846, had fully encouraged the independence of Liberia.
Signatories
Twelve delegates representing the three counties of Liberia signed the Declaration along with the Constitution of Liberia:Montserrado County
Montserrado County
Montserrado County is a county in the northwestern portion of the West African nation of Liberia. One of 15 counties that comprise the first-level of administrative division in the nation, it has four districts. Bensonville serves as the capital with the area of the county measuring , the smallest...
- 1. Samuel BenedictSamuel BenedictSamuel Benedict was a Liberian politician and jurist who served as the 1st Chief Justice of Liberia. He was born a slave in the U.S. state of Georgia in 1792, and purchased his freedom and that of his family. He emigrated to Liberia in 1835, on the ship Indiana.Prior to Liberia’s independence,...
- 2. Hilary Teage
- 3. Elijah JohnsonElijah JohnsonElijah Johnson was an African American who was one of the first colonial agents of the American Colonization Society in what later became Liberia. He was probably born in New Jersey, received some limited schooling in New Jersey and New York, served as a soldier in the War of 1812 and studied for...
- 4. John Naustehlau Lewis
- 5. Beverly R. Wilson
- 6. J.B. Gripon
Grand Bassa County
Grand Bassa County
Grand Bassa is a county in the west-central portion of the West African nation of Liberia. One of 15 counties that comprise the first-level of administrative division in the nation, it has eight districts. Buchanan serves as the capital with the area of the county measuring...
- 7. John DayJohn Day (judge)John Day was a Liberian politician and jurist who served as the 2nd Chief Justice of Liberia from 1854 until his death in 1859....
- 8. Amos Herring
- 9. Anthony William Gardiner
- 10. Ephriam Titler
Sinoe County
Sinoe County
Sinoe is one of Liberia's 15 counties and it has 17 districts. Greenville is the county's capital.As of the 2008 Census, it had a population of 104,932, making it one of the least populous counties in Liberia....
- 11. Jacob W. Prout
- 12. Richard E. Murray