<P> The statue is situated in Upper New York Bay on Liberty Island south of Ellis Island, which together comprise the Statue of Liberty National Monument . Both islands were ceded by New York to the federal government in 1800 . As agreed in an 1834 compact between New York and New Jersey that set the state border at the bay's midpoint, the original islands remain New York territory despite their location on the New Jersey side of the state line . Liberty Island is one of the islands that are part of the borough of Manhattan in New York . Land created by reclamation added to the 2.3 acres (0.93 ha) original island at Ellis Island is New Jersey territory . </P> <P> No charge is made for entrance to the national monument, but there is a cost for the ferry service that all visitors must use, as private boats may not dock at the island . A concession was granted in 2007 to Statue Cruises to operate the transportation and ticketing facilities, replacing Circle Line, which had operated the service since 1953 . The ferries, which depart from Liberty State Park in Jersey City and Battery Park in Lower Manhattan, also stop at Ellis Island when it is open to the public, making a combined trip possible . All ferry riders are subject to security screening, similar to airport procedures, prior to boarding . Visitors intending to enter the statue's base and pedestal must obtain a complimentary museum / pedestal ticket along with their ferry ticket . Those wishing to climb the staircase within the statue to the crown purchase a special ticket, which may be reserved up to a year in advance . A total of 240 people per day are permitted to ascend: ten per group, three groups per hour . Climbers may bring only medication and cameras--lockers are provided for other items--and must undergo a second security screening . </P> <P> There are several plaques and dedicatory tablets on or near the Statue of Liberty . </P> <Ul> <Li> A plaque on the copper just under the figure in front declares that it is a colossal statue representing Liberty, designed by Bartholdi and built by the Paris firm of Gaget, Gauthier et Cie (Cie is the French abbreviation analogous to Co .). </Li> <Li> A presentation tablet, also bearing Bartholdi's name, declares the statue is a gift from the people of the Republic of France that honors "the Alliance of the two Nations in achieving the Independence of the United States of America and attests their abiding friendship ." </Li> <Li> A tablet placed by the New York committee commemorates the fundraising done to build the pedestal . </Li> <Li> The cornerstone bears a plaque placed by the Freemasons . </Li> <Li> In 1903, a bronze tablet that bears the text of Emma Lazarus's sonnet, "The New Colossus" (1883), was presented by friends of the poet . Until the 1986 renovation, it was mounted inside the pedestal; today it resides in the Statue of Liberty Museum, in the base . </Li> <Li> "The New Colossus" tablet is accompanied by a tablet given by the Emma Lazarus Commemorative Committee in 1977, celebrating the poet's life . </Li> </Ul>

What name did the national assembly give to its character of basic liberties