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Independence 



In an original compact with this Society, we, for important 

 reasons, delegated to it certain political powers ; while this institu- 

 tion stipulated that whenever the people should become capable of 

 conducting the government, or whenever the people should desire it, 

 this institution would resign the delegated power, peacefully withdraw 

 its supervision, and leave the people to the government of themselves. 



Under the auspices and guidance of this institution, which 

 has nobly and in perfect faith redeemed its pledges to the people, 

 we have grown and prospered. 



From time to time our number has been increased by immi- 

 gration from America, and by accession from native tribes ; and 

 from time to time, as circumstances required it, we have extended 

 our borders by the acquisition of land by honourable purchase 

 from the natives of the country. 



As our territory has extended and our population increased, 

 our commerce has also increased. The flags of most civilised nations 

 of the earth float in our harbours, and their merchants are opening 

 an honourable and profitable trade. Until recently, these visits 

 have been of a uniformly harmonious character ; but as they have 

 become more frequent and to more numerous points of our ex- 

 tending coast, questions have arisen which, it is supposed, can be 

 adjusted only by agreement between sovereign Powers. 



For years past, the American Colonisation Society has virtually 

 withdrawn from all direct and active part in the administration of 

 the Government, except in the appointment of the Governor, who 

 is also a colonist, for the apparent purpose of testing the ability 

 of the people to conduct the affairs of government, and no complaint 

 of crude legislation, nor of mismanagement, nor of maladministration 

 has yet been heard. 



In view of these facts, this institution, the American Colonisa- 

 tion Society, with that good faith which has uniformly marked 

 all its dealings with us, did, by a set of resolutions in January, in 

 the year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty-six, 

 dissolve all political connection with the people of this republic, 

 returned the power with which it was delegated, and left the people 

 to the government of themselves. 



The people of the Republic of Liberia, then, are of right, and 

 in fact, a free, sovereign, and independent State, possessed of all 

 the rights, powers, and functions of government, 



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