The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1814-05-21
THE NEW SPANISH GOVERNMENT.

THE NEW SPANISH GOVERNMENT.
the general features of the Spanish Govern
Ipent, recently adopted by the Cortes presented to
the people, andnow under psblie discuss oil il will
be found interesting to our American readers, and
amply repay the time bestowed omit
The extraordinary assembly OF the Spanish nation,
in submitting the Constitution to the people deelar-
I'D that they only 'srestore the ancient laws of
% Spain to their pristine vigour and nnaesty Olsen
:" cumber them from those enacted in the times of
81 feodality, in the reigns OF despotc monarc "
In another part OF theiT address they recommended
I" the beautiful institution of trial by jury" as
future improvement, and add, the freedom of the
press never had been before established in Spain
bot that's no wonder since lnd it lawfully es-
% tablished, but among two three nations in the
" civilized world. 1t is formidable enemy to SUI
. perstition and tyranny, inssmueh MS it is q per-
% ennial source of true and useful Knowledge and
. the very palladium Of the liberties veal aRd hol-
% or OF the people :; it must be underline immediate
50 projections of the National Legislature, and look.
ed upon as solid pillar of the Spanish Consttu.
3" ticn."
The Assembly do not appear to have created the
tribunals to determine suits & prosecutions rrobs-
bly, they fearful of doing too much, and there
fore eontented themselves with recommending the
trial by jury. While we admire the great improve
Inents,we cannot but regret there still left
relics Of their aa-ent superstition, that though they
abolished the IRquistion, yet they established the
Roman Catholic religion, and forbid the use of any
other rapid progress has been made by the Span
Yards in their new system, and great an underta-
king could not be expected to be completed once.
Ut appears to us that either the Inquisition must
resume its former place religious federation will
SDsHe.
Three trials in each suit ia so eccentric custom
that It must have had an origin in the long estab.
hshed habits of the people.
Upon the whole, the rights OF the people are more
carefully guarded x secured against encroachm ent
than under any monarehis government with which
we are acquainted, and We dc not hesitate 20 say
that with the above exception il is every way sl.
perior to the British constitution.
The frst article declares who are the Spanish
people, and that sovereignty resides essentially in
the nation, and that il alone possesses the right of
making its fundamental laws; il provides the pow
by the Cortes Of naturalization and declares ey.
cry Spanard to be bound TO contribute without any
distinction according to his ability the charges Of
the state.
The government is divided into three parts, Ex-
ecUtive, Legislative and Judicial
The Legislative power il vested in the Cortes with
the king. The Cortes a meeting Of all the re-
representatives. OF the nation appointed by tue citizens
upon the bsSls OF a national representation, aud are
elected a. follows:
The cit zenS reading in each parish, elect cleo
tors according to their ratio the electors so chosen
InestIn districts and elect district electors Who
held provincial electoral meeting, and appoint dep
uties to sit in the Cortes. The Cortes ere the OH.
ly popular body, senate being rejected, Iest il
would become subservient to the King, with all
aiIuSion to the senate of Sweden, where the
boot OF the king gave the lsY, and that Of Rome,
where the horse OF one of them wss gowned as
ssnstor.
The elections are by ballot, and no citizen can 80.
pear with side other arms and each deputy shall
receive an allowance for his services, and travelling
expenses.
The Cortes shall meet on the lst March, 10 each
year at the esPita, in an edhes to be erected for
that purpose; their SESSION to last months and
their term of service two years.
The sitting Of the Cortes shall be public, except
"a 81 a.
be cleared.
After the Cortes save orgaBEed, they shall inform
toe king, who shall communicate what is necessary
Dor the public good. Ike deputies shall not be res
ponSibs tor their official conduct, aud cannot re-
ceye solicit any Office Of trust or profit under the
king, during their term of office
The powers of tbs Cortes arc nearly such IS Con-
gregs possess,
To deelsre war, lay taxes, borrow money. nro.
test toe political freedom OF the press and pass
&c. -
Every deputy has right to propose laws bv hill
20 writing, which being read four different DAYS
snd debated, shsll then be adopted rejected with
or without amendments if adopted, II shall be semi
20 the king, who may approve or reject IL the lst
ter, Il can not be brought up TN the next Gsrtes
Whenf It be passed 'scOnd time il shall be again
presented 10 the king, who has tie ssme power If
he reject again, roust be again postponed til the
next session, when having been psssed a third lime
BY the COrtes, the kiag sigD the bill Thirty
days are allowed the King for his consideration (
" N'et thiO NV. uO- FAplItL D-tuIt me fHl Ot the
session, he sheii have eight C9ys IN toe beginning
Of the next session, When If he DO not reelrn the bin
Il beooncs law. All avs shall De published =,
che Kim.
The Cortss shah appoint permanent oomyoiuee
Ut the Cortes, consulting OF seven from tie different
parts ut the empire, Eho u case o. smergsicv ,o.y
sonvo.e the general Cortes
he King in hs person inyiolsbe, she'll p0s.
Eess sOnenrrent power 20 make treaties viu, tie
consent Of tie Cores, regulate tho administration
Of Jusdse) sppoint al officers, be the commander
IN chief, coin money with bis bust and uams stamp
81, pardon criminals, Ne. he cannot dispose Of his
sroTn or territory, irnTrison subject, Or deprive
him Of ME property, and take fhs cath 20 soy.
Tort the scr'tfutou