Hilary Teague

“ 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 and powers and functions of government.
In assuming the momentous responsibilities of the position they have taken, the people of this Republic feel justified by the necessities of the case, and with this conviction they throw themselves with confidence upon the candid consideration of the civilized world.
Liberia is not the offspring of grasping assbition, nor the tool of avaricious speculation. ”

“ We recognize in all men, certain natural and inalienable rights: among these are life, liberty, and the right to acquire, possess, enjoy and defend property. By the practice and consent of men in all ages, some system or form of government is proven to be necessary to exercise, enjoy, and secure these rights: and every people has a right to institute a government and to choose and adopt that system or form of it, which, in their opinion, will most effectually accomplish these objects, and secure their happiness, which does not interfere with the just rights of others. ”

“ 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 Christendon, and earnestly and respectfully ask them that they will regard us with the sympathy and friendly consideration to which the peculiarities of our condition entitle us, and to extend to us that comity which marks the friendly intercourse of civilized and independent communities. ”

“ The native African, bowing down with us before the altar of the Living God, declares that from us, feeble as we are, the light of Christianity has gone forth; while upon that curse of curses, the slave trade, a deadly blight has fallen as far as our influence extends. ”

“ Under the auspices of the American Colonization Society, we established ourselves here, on land acquired by purchase from the lords of the soil.
In an original compact with this Society we, for important reasons, delegated to it certain political powers; while this institution stipulated that whenever the people should become capable of conducting the provernment, or whenever the people should desire it, this institution would recipm the delegated power, peaceably withdraw its supervision, and leave the people to the government of themselves. ”

“ Among the strongest motives to leave our native land--to abandon for ever the scenes of our childhood, and tor sever the most endeared connections, was the desire for a retreat where, free from the agitations of fear and molestation, we could, in composure and security, approach in worship the God of our Fathers. ”

“ As our territory has extended, and our population increased, our commerce has also increased. The flags of most of the civilized 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 extending coast, questions have arisen which it is supposed can be adjusted only by agreement between sovereign powers. ”