The Statesman.
London, England, 1820-02-29 00:00:00

PLINDAMINTAL L*2l* Or TH2 RIIPCBLIC 01 COLVIN/11A.

The Sovereign Congress of Venezneta, to whose au-
diorite the towns and people of New Granada, recently'
lilwraieal by the arms of the Republic, hare voluntarily
agreed to subject themselves ;
Considering, Ist.—That the Provinces of Venezuela
and New Granada, when united into one Republic, pos-
sess all the capabilities and means of attaining the high-
est degree of power and prosperity.
2d. That, constituted in separate republics, however
I strong the bonds by which they might he united, be.
stead of being able to improve so many advantages, it
wonld be difficult fur them to become consolidated, and
cause their sovereignty to be respected.
3d. That these truths, so strongly impressed on the
minds of all men of superior talent and enlightened pa-
triotism, have induced the Governments of the two Re-
publics to agree to an union which the vicissitudes of
the war have hitherto prevented.
Wherefore, impelled by these considerations of neces-
sity and reciprocal interest, and in conformity to a re-
report of a special committee of the Deputies of New
Granada and Venezuela, in the 11•131* and under the
Imuspices of the Supreme heing, has decreed, and decrees
the following fundamental law of the Republic of Co-
' Itinabia:—

Art. I. The Republics of Venesuela and New Gra-
nada, from this day. are united in oae single State,
under the glorious title of Rarcauc or Cot.conta.
2. The territory of said State shall be aU that com-
prehended in the ancient Captain-Generalship of 'Vent,
suela and the Vice-royalty of the new Kingdom of Ora-
natio. embracing an extent of 115.001/ square leagues.
the exact limits of which shall be hereafter determined.

3. The debts which the two Republics may have con-
tracted separately. are acknowledged in Rohde*, by this
law, as a national debt of Colainbia, to the payment of
which all the effects and property of the State iihall be
held boand, and the most productive trenches of the
public revenge be destined.
4. The Executive Power of die Republic shall be ex-
ercised by a President, amt, in his defect, by a Vier-
President, both named, ad interim, by the present
Congress.
L. The Republic of Columbia shall be divided into
three greater departments, viz. Venezuela, Quito, end
Cundinamarea, which latter 511411 comprehend the Pro-
vinces of New Uranada, which name heneeforwards
shall be stippressed. The capital of these departments
shall be the cities of Caracas. Quito, and Bogota, the
addition of Santa Fe being taken away.
b. Each department shall have a superior Administra-
tion and l'lsirf, fur the present named by the existing
Congress, with the title of Vice•Presitlent.
7. A new city, bearing the name of the Liberator,
Bolivar, shall be the capital of the Republic of Colunt-
his. its plan anal situation shall be determised by the
first general Congress, on the principle of its being pro-
portioned to the wants anal conveniences of the three de-
partments, and to the grandeur nature has destined this
opulent country to attain.
O. The lirneral Congress of Columbia shall assemble
on the first of.lannary, hell, in the town of Rosario de
Cucuta, which in every respect is deemed the most con-
venient spot. Its convocation shall be made known lay
the President of the Republic on the lit January, 1326.
with a corn onication of the reputations for the Elections,
which shall he formed by a Special Conansittee, and ap-
proved by the pretest Congress.
9. The Constitution of the Republic of Colombia shall
he formed by the Oeneral Congress, to whom shall be
presented, in the light of a project, the one decreed by
the present Congress, and which. together with the laws
proninlgated by the same, shall immediately be put into
execution, by way of an near.
10. The arms ending of Lolnanbia shall he decreed by
the lieneral Congress, and in the mean time the arms
and flag of Venezuela shall be used, as being best known.
11. The present Congress shall enter on a recess on
the 15th January. 1920, and the new Elections fur the
**dere! Congress of t 'olottnbia commenced.
12. A Comsnittee of six Members anal a President
shall remain in the stead of the Congress, with such
special attribntes as shall be determined by decree.

13. The Repnhlie of Colninbia shall be solemnly pro-
claimed in the towns and armies, with public feasts and
rejoicings, the same taking place in this capital on the
25th inst. (December), to celebrate the birth of the
Saviour of the world,ntnler whose patronage this wished-
for union has taken place, by which the State is re-
generated.
Id. The Anniversary of this political regeneration
shall be hereafter celebi-ated as a national feast, at which,
as in those of Olympia, virtue and learning *ball be re-
warded.

The resent fundamental laws of the Republic of
Columbia shall be solemnly promulgated in the towns
and armies, inscribed on all the public registers, aad
deposited in all the archives of the municipalities and
corporations, as well ecclesiastic u secular.
(liven in the Palace of the Sovereign Congress of
Venezuela, in the city of St. Thomas of AnKostura, this
ir 17th diy of December, 18111, tth of our independence.
The President of the Congress, Francisco A. Zee—
pJaau Duman Itoscio.—Manotil Ceoedo—Juan Martinis
1--Jose Es/mos—Luis Tomas Perrin—A. 1f Briceno—
Enos*, Afanados—Fraeciaco Conde—D. B. Urbaneja
lir*V. Cardoso—J. blunoss—,o. Basalo—D,
Allachado—.R. U., Cadiz—Secretary Lego de Val.
Lomat 11.

r .of the Sovereign Congress of Venezuela,
-"gra, Dee. 1;,