Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1823-09-06
MEXICO.

We nave received Vera Cruz papers u
the 9th ot August.
Several shocks of an earthquake were
ielt at Vera Cruz on the eth July. They
were So violent as to cause assures IN the
walls OF some OF the principal buildings.
The proprie'y of granting tree ioiera-
ton OF religion, is openly advocated IN tbe
Disrio de Vera Cruz, with an ingenuity
and an ability worthy of the cause. THIS
argues an improvement in The tone OF Mex.
lean feeling, greater than was 10 be ex
pected all things considered.
The Supreme Executive power has d.
rected that the officers OF the army set
apart one day In each week for iostruc'mg
the men under their commend, in their du
~ as citizens and soldiers.
The following is a plan of Political
Constitution, which has been prepared by
committee, that it may be discussed by
the next Congress:
" The Congress Of Deputies elected by
the Mexican nation, recognizing the prln-
ciples, that no man has right 10 exc rCise
authority over another without his consent;
that no nation has right TO exercise sutho>
rlty over another unless the power be con-
ceded by the subject nation; that The Mex
lean is by consequence, independent OF
the Spanish nation, and OF all others, and
by being so has the power to institute that
form OF government which will best pro
mote the public good,-tyes the following
bases OF ITS PoIncal Constitution
lst The Mexican nation is the society
OF all the Provinces OF Ansbuac or New
Spain. which form one body polite The
citizens who compose it have their rights,
and are suhj-c TO duties Their rights
are, lst. That OF irberty-which is The
right OF thinking, speaking wiring, print
ing. and doing all that which causes no
detrment 10 the rights OF Others. "a, bat
OF equality, which CONSISTS in being govern
ed by the same law wilbou, her dis
selves establish Sd, That OF property, or
OF consuming, giving, selling. keeping OF
exporting that which Is oue's own, uD Ter
no other restrictions than those which may
be designated by the laws. Alb, That OF
being subject to no laws, save those eslab-
lisbed by the Congress OF Representatives.
Their duties are, LIST, 10 profess the
Roman Catholic Apostolic religion, as the
only one OF he state I'd, To respect the
legitimately established sd,
| DO no injury to their fellow citizens
4th. 10 Co operate tor the general good
OF The nation.
The rights of the citizens are the ele-
ments oi lnose of the nation The power
OF the latter is the SUN of the powers OF
The former
The sovereignty Of the nation, in itself
one Inallenaole, ana lmprescrltibie, can
exc IcIse ITS rights ~ different manners,
and from this results different lorms OF go
vernment.
That Of the Mexican nation is a repre-
sentative and federal republic.
The nation exercises ITS rights through
The medium: LIST. OF the citizens " no e.
lecr individuals to compose the legisla-
tive body End. OF tue legislative body
which enacts laws Sd. OF the executive,
which causes the laws TO be obeyed: 4lh
OF the Judges who make application OF the
las in CivIi and criminal cases: 9th. OF
the senators who Cause the laws TO be 'es-
pected by the other iunctionaries oil go
vernmsnl.
fhe citizens are 10 elect the mem
bers OF The legislative body or national
Congress. OF the Srna'e, OF The Provincial
Congresses, and of the municipalities
The eiec ION shall not, Tor the present,
be direct 1t shall be through the me-
dunn OF electors, IN the masner which
snail be prescribed by Law.
50. , he legislative body, or NaIiona!
rnnyracS shaII nf tpnnttns
liable tor their Opinions. Its sessions shall
commence and terminate on the days Tx
ed by the constitution; and us functions
shall be-to discuss and resolve IN ;be
manner which itself shall determine &; to
enact those laws which the national well
tare may require, and which may ORGY
gInate either with iIseli u with The Sena>
tors 10 revise those laws to which The eX-
ecutlve body shall object, and confirm
them hy plurality. or revoke them 10y
two thirds OF the whole member OF votes
TO reconsider those which the Senate may
send back, and not 10 ratity them unless
by consent of two thirds; 10 make rules
and regulations tor the army. The navy,
and the constitutional militia TO make a
dis isiOn OF The provinces, taking Tor basis
The compound ratio vi territory ~ popuGa-
ton; TO appoint once every four years,
the mem 5ers of the executive body To
declare It cause exists TOT impeaChlng
them, The Secretaries OF State or magIs-
trates OF The supreme judicial tribunal TO
determine the force which shall be EN-
pioyed On sea and on land to tx the tx
pepses of the national administration !;
to approve treaties of alliance and of com
MERGE; TO form a general plan OF educa
tiun: 10 protect the national institute, and
aproint The professors which shall com
mise the same 10 distribute the supreme
authorities IN different provinces, in order
that an equilibrium may be maintained,
and that The eleuents OF preponderance
NAV not accumulate in any province ,
TO form two graduated scales, The one oil
actions which promote the general wei
fare, the other OF honors and distinctions,
conformably to which The executive body
shaII reward merit; 10 crea tribunal