The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1847-05-19

session. The following account of its pro-
ccedlngs is translated from FL Republican,
of the 2lst April. 1t comes in the shape of
a preamble and eight articles, and we give
! it entire:
The sovereign constituent Mexican
| Congress. in use of the full powers with
which the inhabitants Of the Republic have
invested it for the sacred object of saving its
nationality and as faithful interpreter of
the firm determination with which its con-
stituents are decided 10 carry on the war
which the United State are now making on
the nation, without desisling on account of
any kind of reverses; and considering
that under these circumstances the first
public necessity is that of preserving a CEN
tire of union 10 direct the national defence
with all the energy that circumstances de-
nand, and to avoid even the danger of a
revo utionary power arising which might
dissolve the National Union, destroy its
institutions, or consent to the dismember-
ment of its territory, has determined to de-
cree as follows:
Art. 1.-The Supreme Government of
the Union is authorized to dictate all neces-
sary measures for the purpose of carrying
on the war, defending the nationality Of the
Republic, and saving the federal republican
form Of government under which the nation
is constituted.
Art. 2.-The preceding article does not
authorize the Executive to make a peace
with the United States, conclude negotia-
ton with foreign powers, nor dispose, in
whole or in part, of the territory of the Re-
public.
Art. 3-Neilher does it authorize him
to make contracts Of colonization, impose
punlshments, nor confer any civil or mill
tary employments others than those whose
appointments are expressly entrusted to him
by the constitution.
Art. 4.-Every agreement or treaty shall
be null and void which may be made be-
tween the Government of the United States
and any authority whatever, which, sub
ver,ing the actual order of affairs should
set aside or take the place of the legally
established supreme powers of the Union.
Art. 5-Every individual is declared a
traitor, let him be private a person or pub
lie functionary, who, either in his private
capacity or invested with any authority,
incompetent or Of revolutionary origin,
may enter into treaties with the United
Art. 6.-In the event that the actual
Congress fined it impossible to continue Its
sessions, a permanent committee shall be
Immediately installed, to be composed of
the oldest individuals then found present of
each deputation.
Art. 7. This committee, in the absence
of Congress, shall perform the duties of
Government Council; shall appoint, in case
of vacancy, the person who is to take
charge temporarily of the Republic; shall
regulate the counting and taking of the
votes in the election of new President
shall give possession to the elected person,
and shall call together the national repre-
scntation.
Art. 8. The powers which the present
decree confer on the Government shall
cease as soon as the war is concluded.
Such is about the amount of the procee-
dngs of the meeting of the Mexican Con-
gress, held Immediately after the news had
reached the capital of the disastrous defeat
of Cerro Gordo. The editor of Ell Repub-
licano, in speaking of this extraordinary
session, in his paper of tie 21st April, says
that "to the honor Of the Legislative body it
ought to be observed, that yesterday more
than eighty members assembled, and that
no other than sentiments of patriotism were
heard expressed. May the common danger
thus unite all the Mexicans, and cause to
disappear even the names of our sad dis
sensions."