a free negro republic on the W. coast of Africa, extending in a S.E. direction from Sierra Leone, along the coast for about 500 miles, and having an average breadth of about 40 miles; between N. Lat. 4° 20' and 7° 20', W. Long. 6° 50' and 12° 40'. Area about 20,000 square miles.

The republic of Liberia owes its existence mainly to the efforts of a few benevolent citizens of Washington, who, in 1816, formed themselves into a society called the "American Colonization Society," for the purpose of rescuing the free people of colour from the degradation and misery to which they were condemned in America. In 1817 a deputation of the society visited England, and was received with much cordiality by Wilberforce, and other friends of the anti-slavery movement; and with their advice the agent of the society was sent out to the W. coast of Africa for the purpose of making a careful survey of the country, and reporting as to its suitability for a negro colony. The site first chosen was the small island of Sherboro, situated near the coast, about 120 miles S. of Sierra Leone, and the first colonists arrived there in the early part of 1820. The situation, a low, densely-wooded island, proved unhealthy in the extreme, so that in the course of a few months most of the agents who attended the expedition, and many of the negroes, fell victims. A less deadly climate had, therefore, to be sought for, and an agent was again sent out by the society for that purpose. Cape Mesurado, on the mainland, about 300 miles S.E. of Sierra Leone, and rising about 150 feet above the general level of the shore, seemed to promise a suitable locality for the settlement. With difficulty the native chiefs were induced to dispose of a tract of land here; and on the 23rd of April, 1822, the American flag was planted on Cape Mesurado; the settlers of Sherboro, who had been removed for a time to Sierra Leone, having been transferred to their new settlement. Their numbers were speedily augmented by fresh arrivals, but the colony was long in a very precarious and unsatisfactory condition. The settlers lived in continual fear of the fierce and treacherous tribes by whom they were surrounded, who not unfrequently attacked them at a disadvantage and inflicted considerable loss. They were also on several occasions reduced to the greatest distress by scarcity of provisions, and a failure of ammunition; and the climate, though less fatal than formerly, still proved very injurious. By degrees, however, these difficulties were overcome, and as their numbers increased they became better able to maintain their ground against the encroachments of the neighbouring tribes. The weaker tribes now became desirous of being received under their protection, and they were in every case received on condition of their becoming Liberian citizens. Partly by this mode of annexation, and partly by the occasional purchase of small portions of territory, the boundaries of the settlement were gradually extended. New settlements were made, new towns built, trade increased, and agriculture flourished. In 1839 a constitution was framed, and a governor appointed by the Colonization Society; and in 1847 the independence of the colony was formally declared, and a republican constitution adopted. The British and French governments promptly recognized the new government, and framed liberal treaties with it. The constitution is professedly a copy of that of the United States. The executive power is vested in a president, who must be at least thirty-five years of age, have resided five years in the country, and be in possession of an income of 500 dollars. He is elected for two years, but may be indefinitely re-elected. The senate and house of representatives exercise the legislative power. The senate consists of six members, at least twenty-five years of age, having resided in the colony for three years, and possessed of an income of 200 dollars. They are chosen for four years. The representatives are chosen for two years, and are required to be twenty-three years of age, to have resided for two years in the colony, and to be possessed of an income of fifty dollars. The number of representatives is 28. The judicial power is lodged in a supreme court, and several inferior tribunals. The rights of citizenship belong exclusively to people of colour. The climate of Liberia, although more healthy than that of Sierra Leone, is still uncongenial to the white man, though to the blacks it has the character of being very genial. The effect of clearing, draining, &c., upon the climate during the last ten years, is said to be very remarkable. The duration of life among the colonists is considered to be about the same as in the United States. The country is characterized as being very fertile, the hills and plains being covered with a never-failing verdure. Cotton, coffee, indigo, and the sugar cane, are all spontaneous productions of the forests. Rice, Indian corn, Guinea corn, and numerous species of fruits, may be grown to any extent. Cattle, swine, fowl, ducks, goats, and sheep, require no care save only to keep them from straying. Palm oil, camwood, ivory, gold-dust, coffee, indigo, ginger, arrowroot, and hides, are the principal exports. Palm oil is the great staple of Liberia at present; and the demand for it in England, France, and the United States is rapidly increasing. Coffee, sugar, and cotton would, with a due application of capital and labour, become of the greatest value to the state. A considerable coasting trade is carried on, as well as a large trade with the interior. The exports to foreign countries are said to average upwards of £1,100,000 annually. Pop. estimated at about 200,000, of whom about 10,000 are free blacks from the United States. Schools and places of worship have been established over the country. Liberia is divided into the counties of Mesurado, Bassa, and Sinéé. The chief town is Monrovia, containing about 2000 inhabitants.

The "Maryland Colony," on Cape Palmas, in the S.E. of Liberia, was founded in 1834, by the "State Colonization Society," and consists of free coloured emigrants sent thither from the state of Maryland. Till very recently this colony remained dependent on the parent society, but, according to the latest accounts we have received, it too had declared its independence, though it seems very doubtful if so small a republic can exist in that part of the world; and it would unquestionably be for the advantage of both it and Liberia that they were conjoined.