Star.
London, England, 1811-10-05 00:00:00

, PLAN OF A POLITICAL CONSTITUTION
FOR THE SPANISH MONARCHY,

PRZSENTED TO THE GENERAL AND EXTRAORDINARY
cotte', BY THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL COMIIITTEE.
INTRODUCTION.
The general and extraordinary Cortes of the Spa-
nish Nation, convinced, after the most minute exa-
mination and mature deliberation, that the ancient
fundamental laws of this Monarchy, accompanied
with suitable provisions, to assure their regular and
permanent execution, are adequate to accomplish the
great object of promoting the glory, prosperity, and
welfare •of the whole nation, decree the following
Palitical Constitution, for the goad Gaveenment and
right administration of the State :
TIELE 1..
OF THE SPANISH NATION, AND OF SPANIARDS.
, co AP.' I.—OF TII B SPANISH NATADS.
AIM 1. The Spanish Nation is formed by the union
of all Spaniards in both Hemispheres.
• 2.% The Spanish Nation is free and independent,
and neither is nor can be the patrimony of any family
or indiidual. .
3. The Sovereignty resides essentially in the Na-
tion, and to the same belongs exclusively the right of
- establishing fundamental laws, and of appointing the
Most suitable form of Government.
ai. The end of Government is the happiness of the
Nation, since the object of poliacal society can be no
other than the welfare of the inhabitants of whom it
is comprised.
.5. The nation is obliged to prserve, and to pro,
tect, by wise and just laws, the civil liberty, the pro.
perry, and the other legitimate rights of all individuals
who compose it.
". . CHAP. 11.-.-07 SPANIARDS.
6. Spaniards are, Ist; Airmen born free, or made
ftee, in all the dominions of Spain, and their sons-
- 2d, StrangersewhO have obtained letters of gaturali-
ration from the .Cortes--Sd, Those who, without 1
these letters, have lived 10 years In a state of freedom,
acquired'accordmg to law, in any town of the md-
oarchy-41h, the sons of each of these classes, born
in the Spanish territories, and who exercise any trade
in the place of their residence-sth, Freedmen, who
• have acquired their freedom in Spain.
7. The love of their country is a principal oblilia;
it ion on all Spaniards, as well as justice and benevo-
fence among each other.
NS. Every Spaiiiard is bound to be faithful to tate
Constitution, to obey the laws, and to respect the
• established authorities.
9. Every Spaniard is also obliged, without any
dietinction, to contribute in proportion to his means,
• to the expenccs of the State.
JO. Every Spaniard is also obliged to defend his
country by arms, when he is called upon by the law.
TITLE IT.
OF THE TERRITORY OF SPAIN, HER RELIGION AND
GOVERNMENT, AND OF SPANI:H CI lIZENS.
CHAP. 1..—0 F TIIE TERRITORY OF SPAIN.
11. The Spanish territory comprehends, the Pe-
ninsula, with its dependencies, and the islands adja-
cent, Arragon, Asturias, Old Castile, New Castile,
Catalonia, Cordova, Estrepatdur a, Gallicia, Granada,
• .Jaen, Leon, Murcia, Navarre, Vascongada alermees,
• Seville, and Valencia ; the Beliaric and Canary Is-
lands. In North America, New Spain, with New
Gallicia, Gnatimatt, the internal Provinces of the
East, the internal Provinces of the West, Island of
Cuba, with the two Ploridas : the Spanish part of
the-Island of St. Domingo, and the island of Porto
Rico, with the others adjacent to these, arid to the,
continent in both seas. In South Ana rice, New,
Granada, Venezuela, Peru, Chili, the Provinces of
the Rio de la Plata, and all the adjacent Islands in
. the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean. In Asia, the /Vali-
leine Islands, and their dependencies.
12. A ntore• convenient division of the Saatiisli
territories shall be established by a constitutional law,
as soon as political circumstances will permit.
cum.. 11.—OF RELIGION.
13. The Spanish Nation professes the Catholic,
' Apostolic, Roman, only true Religion, to the exclu-
sion of all others.. -
CHAP. 111.-07 THE SIOVERNMENT.
14. The Government of the Spanish Nation is a
limited hereditary Monarchy.
• • 15. The power of making laws resides in the
Corte;, jointly with the King..
10. The power of executing the laws resides in the
ring.
17. The power of applying the laws to civil and
criminal cases, resides in the tribunals established by
law. CHAP. I V.—OF SPANISH CITIZENS.
i IS. Spanish Citizens are those who derive their
f, origin, in both lines, from the Spanish slirminions of
both hemispheres, and who have acquired their free-
siorn in any place within. the same dominions.
i 19. He is also a Citizen who, enjoying already the
right of a Spaniard, shall ebtaia from the Cortes the
-real letters of citizenship.
20. For a Foreigner to obtain these letters from
the Cortes, he must be married to a Spanish woman..!
or have introduced and established in Spain some
useful discovery, or branch of industry, or acquired.
property which pays a direct contribution, or esta-
blished himself in business with a considerable capi-
tal, in the opinion of the Cortes. •
21. The legitimate sons of foreigners domiciliated
• in Spain, are also citizens, who, }teeing been born in
tae Spanish derniniens, have never left them without
sae permission of Government; and, having attained
rae. age of 21 years complete, have acquirea the right
of Citizen in some place of the same dominions, by
exercising in it some profession, office, or useful art.
. . 22. For those Spaniards who, by either side, derive
their descent from Africa, the path of virtue and de.
Bert lies open, by which they may acquire tiie rights
'of 'Citizens. In consequence of this, the Cortes arc
empowered to grant letters of Citizenship to those
who have rendered amine* services to their country,
or have distinguished themselves by their talents and
ti good conduct ; but upon this condition, with respect '
4 to these last, that they are born in la:vfal wedlock,
of free fathers ; that they are themselves married to
a free woman, and acquired the rights of Citizenship
in the dominions of Spain ; that they exercise some
profession, office, or uselutart, with means sufficient
to support ?heir family, and to give a good education
k to their cad Iren.
23. None but Citizens can hold civil employments,
or choose others to fill them, in cases specified by law.
.4. The privilege of a Spanish Citizen is lost---