Star.
London, England, 1830-07-23 00:00:00

NEW CONSTITUTION OF COLOMBIA.

(From the Mw York paper.)
The New Constitution of Colombia, which we have before us,
contains la articles, with numerous subdivisions. It was *nod by
the Members of Congress and the Executive, on the 25th of April.
Its principal features we subjoin. With the exception of the article
in respect. to religion, we see not but it is about as republican and
liberal as our own.
The Catholic religion is declared to be the religion of the State
and no other form of public worship will be tolerated.
All Colombians are equal before the law, whatever may be their
fortune or pursuits. No offices, honours, or distinctions, shall be
hereditary. All persons have an equal right to elect and be elected
to office, provided they are citizens, and possess the requisite quali.
&Woes. After 1840, no person can enjoy the rights of citizenship
who is unable to read and write. In the case of habitual drunkards,
the rights of citizenship are suspended.
Each parish shall have a_parochial meeting once in four years,
for the choice agleam's. The voters must be inhabitants of the,
parish, in the exercise of the rights of dtisenship. The electors
must possess real estate to the value of 1,600 dollars, or an annual
income from real estate to the value of 200 dollars, or an income Gel

300 dollars, from some useful business or profanities, or a salary of
400 dollars. It is the business of the elective, assembled in their
respective provinces, to vote for President and Vies President, and
also to choose Senators and Representatives to Congress, for the
Provinces to which they belong. The Electoral Assemblies are
not permitted to give instructions to the Senators and Represen-
tatives.

is to meet on the Id of February annually, and continue
in stenfOnaisXl days, with power to proles( thole Mingo 30 days more,
if the public interest requires it. Tbe ps et CAmgress are
nearly the same with those granted by the Ommdintien to the Can-
yon of the United States. lt is their exclaim; busbies' to regulate
the public expenditures, establish imposts and national e.ontribu.
does, contract debts on the credit of the nation, Isimise each year
the footing of the land and naval foress fee die fieering year, de.
dare emensive war, az. The President has padre] the same
power over bills which have passed the two Hann sit(gurus, as
the President of the United States; except dial is Sirs hams, cam,
the President is allowed to retain bills for asiimatisa 15 days in.
stead of 10.

Resistors must be 40 years old, possess lasi seals to the va-
lue of 11,000 dollars, or an income of 1,111 hams per annum
from real estate, or 1,600 dollars from 1111111 motel business or pro.
fession. They are elected foe the term of aildst years ; but the pe-
riod of their tetirenient will be so arranged, that one quarter of the
whole number will cease their functions owe in two years, and new
members be elected to succeed them. Each province is entitled to
one Senator.

The representatives are chosen in the ratio of one to every 40,000
inhabitants, and another fot a remainder amounting to 20,000.
They must possess real estate to the value of 4,000 dollars, or an
annual income of WO dollars from real estate, ot 800 dollars from
some useful employment or profession. They bold their office four
years,--one halt retiring every two years,—and must be 30 yews
old. It is made their peculiar prerogative to prefer charges, either
of their own accord, or at the instance of any citizen, against the
President and Vice-President in the cases of high treason
in Art. 87, viz. entering into any combination spinet thelrieberirtiat
or independence of Colombia,--forming any machinations to destroy
the constitution of the Republic or the form of government es-
tablished in it,—refusing to sanction laws cc decrees approved by
Congress, returned by the executive, and again approved by a vote
of two thirds of the members in both houses. It is also the business
of the House of Representatives to prefer charges the mi-
nisters and councillors of state, the procurador-g and the ma.
gigtrates of the Supreme Court, for any misconduct in the discharge
of their functions.

In case a plurality of the votes for President in the Electoral As.
mobiles is not given for any one Individual, the election shall be
made by Congress from the three candidates who have received the
highest number of votes. The President and Vice-President must
be Colombians by birth, 40 years of age, and must have resided
in the Republic for at least six years before the election. They
are elected for the term of eight years, and are ineligible to the
same office for the next succeeding period. The President has an.
thority to appoint and remove the Ministers and Couacilion of
State,—to appoint, with the approbation of the Senate, the magis-
trates of the Supreme Court, the archbishops and bishops, and the
generals of the army and navy. lie cannot command in person
the land and naval forces, without the express consent of Congress ;1
iu which an the Via. President will succeed to the executive
power. He cannot deprive any Colombian of his liberty, or inflict,
any punishment upon him. lie cannot stay the course of judicial
proceedings, prevent the elections provided fer by the coustnution,
dissolve or suspend the chimney. He cannot leave the country
till one year after he has ceased to exercise the executive power, nor
can be eaercise this power when absent Prom the capital to any other
part of die republic. With the exception of the cases of treason
above mentioned, the president is irresponsible.
The military power is declmed subordinate to the civil; and its
chiefs subject to the laws and ordinance of the republic.
The superior political government of each &rattiest resides in
a , appointed by thepresident, of whom be is the ironvediate
erne,nd with Wool be will bold coannualcation through the W.
ohter of the Interior. The government of each province will be
vatted in a governor, a by the wildcat pouted of the de-
portment. The prefect, and governors bold their Ake far the term
of four yews. The civil and military authority d the departments
and provinces cannot be vestal la the same person, under say pre-
sent ottaereer. The onesur toistoultod by deg Akers su.
basdinate to tilt poviodal govornors.
For the better somnolent of the people, elserit'will be eafablished
diet,* diambeen, cootpuld of deputies iloas the poreiDOW (Me

Lraced in the respective distrkts,who dull be chosen bjthe electors,
and shall have power to deliberate and decide on all the municipal
and local affairs of the departments, and to carry up to the ge-
neral iliovernment whatever concerns tire imerests ce tile rreul,l:i•
at large.
1 %%min l 2 hours 'het the a.rest of any Ci.lonib•cii, it is inlal.
the duty of the judge to send him a written order. in winch tl,;. r,••
sons of his wrest are specified ; and a copy ot me sank s. .en i;
given bin, if he requests it. No Colombian shall be comp-rat .1 ii
testify against himself, his wife, leis progenitors, thekendrort-r t•-t -
theirs. or sisters. No Colombian shall be tried or punished by ve.
tue of an tr.posi-jaeto law. No Colombian can be dentiv.,- ~1
his property, nor can it be applied to any public use withrrie 1...
consent, unless the general in/nests, legally rec:rained. require-
it, in which cameo full equivalent shall Ire paid. Purrisluttent Lt
the confiscation of goods is abolished. Ail Coludabian hate a righ.
to publish their thoughts and opinions by meins of the press. tent -
out the necessity of previous censorship, but subject to the relsoltr.
bility of the law. The house of a Columbian is an inviolafrle
asylum ; and cannot be invaded, except in necessary cases and intl..,
the conditions pointed out by the law. Epistolary, corterpro.-
dente is also inviolable. betters cannot be intercepted ot ripe! et!
at any time, except by competent authority, in the cases suit MILIIi.•
the limits specified by the law. The public debt is guaranteed
The power which the may have to refotm the o.stii..-
tion snail not extend to tileilfrs:ns'. G
of government, which shall Away .
be republican, popular, representative, alternative, and respenribls.
The next constitutional Congress shall convene on the 2d of Fe-
bruary, 1830. The Vice President first chosen by the Electoral
Assemblies shall continue in office only four years.

THE TURF.