Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1818-11-26


from the different provinces. liactnaiiy
consists OF twenty-six members. But as a
representative is allowed for every fifteen
thousand citizens, il would be numerous,
If all the provinces had sent delegates IN
that ratio of population.
With some exceptions, and particularly
of that palladium OF our rights, which rs un-
known to the civil law, the trial by jury,
the provisional constitution will be found,
on an attentive perusal, to contain distinct
recognition OF many Of the vital principles
of free government. A church establish
ment also, that of The catholic faith, is COLI
trary to our ideas of religious freedom
though measure, adopted from necessity,
perhaps, by them.
Ii declares, that all power, legislative,
judicial and executive, resides in the ma
ton. The congress are to be chosen by
electors, who are to be voted for by the peo-
pie in the primary assemblies. The cahiI-
dos, or municipalities, are to be elected I'M
mediately by the citizens. 1t recognizes
the independence OF the Judiciary. and de-
clares the tenure of office, with respect 10
the superior judges, TO be during good be-
havior. II provides for The election OF a
chief magistrate by congress, removable
when they choose TO appoint successor,
and responsible for the execution OF The du-
ties of his Office, which are defined and IL
mited. In the oath of office, he is sworn 10
preserve the integrity and independence OF
the country.
The three great departments Of state, ot
the treasury aud ofwar ARE distinctiymark-
ed out, and Retrospective powers anu du-
ties assigned.
On some subjects il enters more into de-
tail than is usual with US, particularly in
those Of their army. navy, and militia. But
this, perhaps, in their situation, was neces-
sary.
: 1t provides that no citizen shall accept a
title of nobility, without FORGETTING the cha
racter OF citizenship.
II provides, also, against general war
rants, and tie arrest OF individuals. unless
on probable proof of guilt.
I 1t contains sautary provision that a
judge, having original Jurisdiction, before
taking cognizance of the cause, shall use
all possible means OF reconclllng the par
ties. This constitution is but temporary.
The congress are engaged in the task OF
forming a permanent one. In The mean
time, no alteration can be made in the pre-
sent, unless with the consent OF two-thirds
of the members. In this manner some al
terations have been adopted.
The subject of permanent constitution
was before a committee OF sixteen members
of congress. There was difference of OPT
Mon prevailing among them, on tie point
OF cur.ederated or q consolidated govern
ment VI they should adopt The former,
they will frame the constitution, in all pro-
liability, nearly after the model of that OF
the United States. Should they decide on
the latter, il is highly probable they will
incorporate the leading features of our sys-
tenn into their form of government. they
seem TO concur in the proposition tc have
chief magistrate elected Tor term OF years,
and representative legislature, 10 consist
Of two branches. A senate, TO constitute the
most permanent body, and ba!se OF re.
representatives., whose term of service shall
be OF shorter duration.
Perhaps il would be better io- them to
delay the completion of this all imPortan
b, task, after the example ofthe United States
until period of peace. Their present pro-
visonai statute is all improvement on those
which preceded it; and we may expect
their proposed constitution " i'll be still more
perfect, as they advance in the knowledge
OF those principles on which republican go
yernments are constituted.
But, however free in theory this provl-
sional statute may he, it is undoubtedly
true, that, unless administered agreeably
/ to It's letter and spirit, il will not afford Sc
curity to Tire citizen. Whether any inirac-
tons have occurred since the date OF its ex-
istence, cannot pretend 10 determine, not
being in full possession OF the facts.
When we recullect that they have the
benefit of our example, il may reasonably
! be expected that they will, in general, adj
here 10 their written constitution. 1hey
! have also the fatal result OF the French re-
volution, warning them Of the dangers Ol
its excuses, OF which they appear 10 be
sensible.
The productions and the manufactures OF
the different provinces, will be found in APP
pendix D; but was unable to procure any
satisfactory estimates OF the probaIle value
or amount in each province. There is,
howe ever, a considerable internal trade car
ried on in the interchange Of various art-
Giles between the several provinces /; cattle,
horses, and mules, iurnish considerable
source of barter; with the latter, Peru Is
usually supplied the Paraguay tea Is a
great article of trade throughout the coun-
Try. The brandy, wine, raisins, and igs
of hIendoza and San Juan, are becoming
important; the hides OF oxen, the skins OF
the vascina and granaco, with number OF
fine furs, afford valuable articles OF ex-
change. These with the foreign goods
transported in every direction from Buenos
Ayres, very readily, by oxen and mules,
which also furnish the meaHs Of carry ing
their native productions TO their sea ports.
form branch of trade of great magnitude,
considering the population OF the country.
TL.ir aunnrts IRE calculated. with some