Liberian Declaration of Independence

The noted goal of Liberia is both to establish a state built upon the structure and principles of the law of nations and to modernize the indigenous peoples of the region, including converting them to Christianity.

However, the Liberian Declaration asserts no right of revolution but frames its independence as the planned purpose of the colony by the American Colonization Society.

On 3 January 1848, Joseph Jenkins Roberts, a free man of color born in Norfolk, Virginia, United States, was sworn in as Liberia's first president.

Liberia was founded as a colony of the American Colonization Society, a private organization established in Washington, D.C., in 1816.

On 5 February 1862, after 15 years of avoiding the issue, the United States officially recognized Liberia's independence.