1825 LIBERIA & SLAVERY. The First Constitution and Laws of Liberia - Abolition, Colonialism, &c.

A critical first printing of the Constitution for the Government of the African Colony at Liberia. 

A fascinating document, both the general and authentic goodwill and the residual colonialism of the American enterprise are evident in this important document's first two articles:

ARTICLE I. 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. [So far so good]. 

ARTICLE II. The Colonization Society shall, from time to time, make such rules as they think fit . . . the stubborn streak of the old colonialism still remains . . .

And in the same colonial vein later articles would also maintain that this Constitution was for "Africans" and had no jurisdiction over agents of the Colonization Society, etc., and that the Constitution could only be altered by a 2/3 vote of the Board of Managers of the American Colonization Society. The Board of Managers were clearly still in charge.

Positively, it Constitutionally prohibited slavery in the colony and attempted to provide a stable structure for the emerging "Liberian" people.

The Digest of Laws feels specially crafted to address what were viewed as "slave" or "negro" sins, i.e. sedition, drunkenness, and theft. The American Colonization Society was as mixed a bag as ever was. Many of its members would have been happy with the abolition of slavery in America and were deeply sympathetic to the plight of the enslaved, but felt Colonization to be more practical [because of the challenges of integration]. There were, however, also strains of the Colonization Society who just wanted the Africans back in Africa. These included people with deeply imbedded racial prejudices who thought of Africans as uncivilized, mere inches above beasts, and incapable of anything resembling a "polite society."

Thus the first laws, with accompanying disproportionately severe penalties, are against "sedition, mutiny, insubordination, or disobedience" against the Colonization Society appointed government; against quarreling or drunkenness [punishable by stocks or whipping]; and theft [repayable at 25 times the amount and then to be bound in irons or whipped]; etc., 

There are also promises of land for those sent to Liberia, land taken outright from the indigenous communities. This practice led to long-standing tensions and violence between the newly repatriated [sort of] Africans and those previously living on the land. 

Constitution, Government and Digest of the Laws of Liberia as Confirmed and Established by the Board of Mangers [sic] of the American Colonization Society, May 23, 1825. First edition. Washington City. Way & Gideon. 1825. 11pp.

A textually crisp copy with some moderate foxing as shown. Removed from a sammelband at an earlier date. An historically important document worthy of better presentation. 

The last example offered sold Doyle, 2015 for $1,500.00 with commissions.