CONSTITUTION FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE AFRICAN COLONY AT LIBERIA
(Adopted AUGUST 19, 1824; ACS Approved MAY 23, 1825)
Article 1
All persons born within the limits of the territory held by the American Colonization Society, in Liberia, in Africa, or removing there to reside, shall be free, and entitled to all such rights and privileges, as are enjoyed by the citizens of the United States.
Article 2
The Colonization Society shall, from time to time, make such rules as they may think fit for the government of the Settlement, until they shall withdraw their agents, and leave the settlers to the government of themselves.
Article 3
The Society’s Agents shall compose a board, to determine all questions relative to the government of the Settlement, shall decide all disputes between individuals, and shall exercise all judicial powers, except such as they shall delegate to justices of the peace.
Article 4
The Agents shall appoint all officers not appointed by the managers, necessary for the good order and government of the settlement.
Article 5
There shall be no slavery in the settlement.
Article 6
The common law, as in force and modified in the United States, and applicable to the situation of the people, shall be in force in the settlement.
Article 7
Every settler coming to the age of twenty-one years, and those now of age, shall take oath or affirmation, to support this Constitution.
Article 8
In case of necessity, where no rule has been made by the Board of Managers, the agents are authorized to make the necessary rules and regulations, of which they shall, by the first opportunity, inform the board, for their approbation; and they shall continue to be in force, until the board shall send out their decision upon them.
Article 9
This Constitution is not to interfere with the jurisdiction, rights and claims of the United States, over the captured Africans and others, under their care and control, so long as they shall reside within the limits of the settlement.
Article 10
No alteration shall be made in this constitution, except by an unanimous consent of all present at a regular meeting of the Board of Managers, or by a vote of two thirds of the members present at two successive meetings of the Board of Managers.
Sources
Constitution, Government and Digest of the Laws of Liberia : as confirmed and established by the Board of Managers of the American Colonization Society. Washington City: Way & Gideon. 23 May, 1825.
Huberich, Charles Henry. The Political and Legislative History of Liberia. New York: Central Book Co.,
1947.
Innes, William. Liberia: Or, the Early History & Signal Preservation of the American Colony of Free Negroes on the Coast of Africa. Edinburgh: Waugh & Innes, 1833. Print.
Van Der Kraaij, Fred. The Historical Importance of the 1824 Constitution. Liberia’s Past and Present. Web.
Wilkeson, Samuel. Concise History of the Commencement, Progress and Present Condition of the American Colonies in Liberia. Washington: 1839. Print.
Visits: 1125
Spencer
November 18, 2020 @
Kindly provide me the full 1824 constitution of Liberia
Gasuah Z.
November 23, 2020 @
Hi Spencer,
Below is the link to the Constitution, Government and Digest of the Laws of Liberia. It contains the 1824 constitution.
View 1824 Constitution
Jeff Dewee
September 17, 2022 @
We as Liberian need the article 1 of this constitution to be use right now.
Gasuah Z.
September 19, 2022 @
@Dewee – no you do not. It has been 200 years. Come up with your own standards in Liberia.
Eddie Grand
November 30, 2022 @
You mean that laws from 200 years ago shouldn’t be laws any more?
Emmanuel paye
February 22, 2023 @
To my believe all those laws have been revised
Sammy Karbarjr
March 14, 2023 @
I really wish to be a part of this team.
LiberiaInfo
March 16, 2023 @
@Sammy, please send an email to admin@liberiainfo.co and we will be happy to have you on the team.
Samuel Tuayen
March 15, 2023 @
Article #2 also speaks about our status, as an idependence nation. Hence, I pray that it works in the opposite of Article #2 for us, luckily.
Elvis Desuah
March 16, 2023 @
It’s pleasure and opportunity to be connected, it’s had draw my attention, and I’m so interested and is willing to do all to not miss this opportunity,count me as one of the applicants.
Gasuah Z.
March 17, 2023 @
@Elvis, glad to connect with you. Please send an email to admin@liberiainfo.co and we will be happy to have you on the team. Regards.
Enisio Toby
May 8, 2023 @
Impressive
Manbu Lansanah Lansanah
May 8, 2023 @
This is one of the opportunity
That I and many other were awaiting.
We hope and pray that this be granted.
Yakouba Camara
December 12, 2023 @
I’m interested to work in Canada
Abel Freeman
December 13, 2023 @
This is welcoming and I think that it’s a good thing that ever Liberian went to see.
Kennedy Kindly Barduae
December 18, 2023 @
I’m a Liberian and born in Liberia and want to go to the USA
Amos s. Kuieh
December 19, 2023 @
Thank very much for the eyes opening
Ernest C B Lewis Sr
February 13, 2024 @
How can I be added to the group chat?