Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1845-10-23
From TRE sEw oRLEAss PEsarUSE, sKfr. 90.
THE CONSTITUTION or TEXAS.

: F. =
TIE CONSTITUTION or TEXAS.
We glanced at some Of the peculiarites
Of the Constitution OF TEXAS yesterday !;
to doy we must conclude the subject BY
mentioning a few other provisions. In its
grand outline, as wen as its details. it is
too much like the Constitutions of the old
States TO need calculation.
The proposed Constitution provides that
the ordnancespassed by tho Convention on
the fourth day Of Jolly last, assenting 10 the
over.ures for the Annexation Of Texas TO
the Unred States, shall be attached to
the Constitution, ami form part of the
same. Thus must be continually borne
IN mind, as the creation Of new States is
therein provided for.
The city Of Austin is assigned as the
seat Of government until 1850, ef;er
which it IS to be located by the people, by
a vote taken 10 March, in a mode pointed
out.
The Supreme Court has appellate juris-
dic,ien only the Distrc' Courts have ia-
risdletion boln in lazy and equity and in
all eases in equity, either party may clam
a trialb jury.
The pordoning power is vested in the
Executive, except in CAGES Of treason and
impeachment. The Governor possesses
the veto power qualified, however, as in
the United Slatos Constitution.
In no case can the Legislature author.
iza the issue Of treasury warrants or trea-
sury notes, or paper Of any description, to
circulate rs money.
The Legislature has power to protect
by law, from forced sale, a certain portion
of the property of all heads Of OF families.
The homestead of family not to exceed
two hundred acres Of land, mot included
in town or city, or airy town or city lot
or lots in value not to exceed $4,000, shall
no, be subject to forced sale for any debts
hereafter contracted nor shall the owner,
fa married man, be at liberty TO alternate
the same, unless by the consent of the
wife, in such manner as the Legislature
may hereafter peint out.
Taxation TO be uniform throughout the
State ; the Legislature may pass an income
tax, and it may exempt from taxation $3.50
worth of the household furniture or other
property belonging to each family in the
State.
The Legislature cannot contract debts
to exceed in the aggregate the sum of
500, 900, except in case Of war, TO repel
invasions, or suppress Instructions and
in no case shall any amount be borrowed,
except by a vote of two-thlrds OF both
Houses Of the Legislature.
In conclusion, we copy entire the pro-
visions ofthe proposed Constitution 10 re.
gard TO slaves
SEc. |. The Legislature shall have no
power TO pass laws for the emancipation
of slaves, without the consent Of their ow.
ners, nor without paying their owners,
previous 10 such emancipation, "a full equiv
alent 10 money for the slaves so emanci
pated. They shall have no power to pre-.
vent emigrants to this State from bringing
with them such persons as are deemed
slaves by the laws OF any o. the United
States, 50 long as any person If the same
age OF description shall be continued in
slavery by tho laws Of this Stale: Pro-
rided, that such slave shah be the
bona fde property OF such emlgrants Pro
Ulded, also, that laws shall be passed 10
prohibit the introduction into this State,
OF slaves who have committed high crimes
in other States or Territories. They shall
have the night 10 pass laws to permit ow-
neEs of slaves to emancipate them, saving
the rights ofcredltors, and preventing them
from becomingO public charge. They shall
have full power to pass laws, which shall
obEse the owners Of slaves to trea, them
with humanity; TO provide for them ne
cessary food and clothing to abstain from
all injuries to them, extending to lie or
limb; and, in case Of their neglect or re-
lusal to comply with the directions Of such
laws, to have such slave or slaves taken
from such owner, and sold for the
benefit Of such owner or owners. They
may pass laws to prevent slaves from be-
ing brought INTO this State as merchanjize
only.
SEC. .. 10 the prosecution OF slaves
for crimes ola higher grade thnn petit lar.
cency, the Legislature shall have 70 pow
or to deprive them Of on impartial trial by
a petit jury.
SFc. 3. Any person who shall mali.
ciously dsmamber ordeprve slave oiille,
shall suffer such punishment as will he in
1icted, il case the like oilrnce had been
committed upon free white person, aRd