arned that there were four or
five who were worth from fifteen thousand to twenty thousand
dollars, a large number who owned property to the amount of
ten thousand dollars, and perhaps twelve or fifteen who were
worth as much as five thousand dollars. The property of some
of these may have increased materiallv since that time.

"The settlers along the banks of the St. Paul have given
more attention to the cultivation of the soil. They raise
sweet-potatoes, cassava, and plantains, for their own use,
and also supply the Monrovia market with the same.
Ground-nuts and arrow-root are also cultivated, but to a
very limited extent. A few individuals have cultivated the
sugar cane with success, and have manufactured a
considerable quantity of excellent sugar and molasses. Some
attention has been given to the cultivation of the coffee
tree. It grows luxuriantly, and bears most abundantly. The
flavor of the coffee is as fine as any in the world; and, if
the Liberians would give the attention to it they ought, it
would probably be as highly esteemed as any other in the
world. It is easily cultivated, and requires little or no
outlay of capital; and we are surprised that it has not
already become an article of export. The want of disposition
to cultivate the soil is, perhaps, the most discouraging
feature in the prospects of Liberia. Mercantile pursuits are
followed with zeal and energy, but comparatively few are
willing to till the ground for the means of subsistence."

Liberia had its first constitution in 1825. It was drawn at the
instance of the Colonization Society in the United States. It set
forth the objects of the colony, defined citizenship, and declared the
objects of the government. It remained in force until 1836. In 1839 a
"Legislative Council" was created, and the constitution amended to
meet the growing wants of the government. In 1847 Liberia declared
herself an independent republic. The first article of the constitution
of 1847 reads as follows:--

"ARTICLE I. SECTION I. All men are born equally free and
independent, and among them natural, inherent and
inalienable rights, are the rights of enjoying and defending
_life_ and LIBERTY."

This section meant a great deal to a people who had abandoned their
homes in the United States, where a chief justice of the Supreme