Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-08-03
NEW FRENCH CONSTITUTION.

Here foiious the Consritution.
NEW FRENCH CONSTITUTION.
PARIS, June 4.
This day the King, in ainple state. ac-
cpmpaiiedby al the Princes. MOBILES. and
servans Of his Court, repaired to the Hall
OF the Legislative Body, and being seated on
his throne. addressed the Legislators in a
short aad impressive speech at the close OF
which he directed the Chancellor Of France
10 communicate to them the Constitutional
Charter, which committee Of wise men,
selected from the first bodies Of the State
united with his Privy Councillors, had pre-.
pared, and which he. the King, in the ex-
ercise of his Royal Authority. had granted
20 his subjects, as concession and release,
as we'll for himself as his successors; and
which, before the affairs Of him who weighs
in the same balance Kings and Nations, ne
would swear to support.
The Constitutional Act was then handed
ny the Abbt MontesQuieu to VI. Ferrand,
Mmiter Of state, who read and procla med
it aloud. ~
1t consists of rs articles. Ii i. strictly
monarchical. The King is the fountain OF
power and honor. He creates Peers makes
! III ..rsatiss anu contracts proposes, sane
ions and pro,nu'gates the laws; makes ali.
appoint meats and is sacred and irrespon-
sibie in his person.
The House Of Peers consists ofI54 mobiles.
We have seen = list Of them. Al theShead
OF them are the Prince Of Beneventum, the
Archbishop of Rheims, the Bishop of Lam
gres and Chaloas, che Dukes If Ules. Etoef.
.Monrlazas. ia rremojlie. Chevrense, 3ris.
sac, Richelieu, Rohan M.uxembourg, Gram
mont, Mortemart, St. Aisuan, NoailIes, Au.
mont, Harcourt, Fitz.James. Brancas. Va.
ntioni'. Fieury, Duras. la Vauguynn, Pras-
IN. la Rochefoucauld, Chermont, ronnere.
Choisenl. Coigny, Croy, Broglin. Laval,
Montmorency. Beaumont, Lorges, Polignac,
Castrias, sc. &c. all ofthe ancient NOBILITY:
he Duke of Piaisancet Lebrun). the
Prince of Wagram, (Bemhier), Marshils,
D"kes ct Tarente, Echingen, Albufera.
Castigiinc- Raguse, Reggie, ConegIiana
lreviso, and Count G ,uvion, St. Cyr /; & a.
bout ninety of the Conservative Senator's
The French Princes are Peers by birth.
The Honse of DEPUTIES are chosen by e.
lectoral colleges; FIR live years "a fifth
part renewed annually. The King appoints
its President from five candidates presented
to him IN Lame, Me nber from Bordeaux
is apponted) A deputy must be 40 years
Did before he is eligible to a seat; and pay
a direct tax of 1000 livres. The old depu-
ties are continued IN their seats until super
seeded.
The Ministers may be Members Of Ell
Their House. They are amenable as in Eng.
rand.
The. Judges are irremovable and the in.
stkution of Juiies IS preserved. All the
codes ar continued. The penalty of the
confi>cation If goods, is abolished, &c.
The following are the public rights guar.
anteed to the French Peope:
Ar. 1. The French people are equal in the
eye of the law. whatever otherwise are their
nSles and ranks.
III. They centribnte without distinction, in
proportion to their fortune. 70 the expences
of the state. u .-
III. They are all equally admissible to
civh and militar, employmeuts.
Nv Their individual liberty is equally
guaranteed: TO person can he pro ecuted
or arrested, but in cases provided by the
law, and in the forms which that pre-
scr,bes.
v. Every one processes his religion with
equal liberty, and enjoys the same protection
to his worship. 6s
,tol'c and Romish religion is the religion of
the state.
VII. The ministers of the Catholic. Apos.
thei modes of CHI 1,tian worship receive SUP.
pert from ti,e RIAL treasury alone.
VIAL The French people have the right
tn publish AID print their opinions, in con-
'ormityto the Laws which ought TO repress
,ae abuses of This liberty.
TX. All property is inviolable without any
reception of that which is called National,
he law making no distinction.
x. The State can demand the sacrifice of
individual pr9perty for the public benefit Lee
galiy proved; but with previous indemni.
ty. Sft yH5
XI. All inquiries into the opinions or votes
given up % the time of the restoration, are
forbidden.-The same oblivionis enioined ON
tribunals and on citizens.
XII. The conscription is abolished The
mode OF recruiting tor sea and land service
is determined by Law.
1.-The new French Constitution entire in
the next August