Democratic banner., 1847-05-17
~Fr9m the W:7O. Picqynae, Nay, e6.
N BXICAN G0EGRISS,

Immediately on the receipt of the news
of Santa Annals defeat at Cerro Gordo, the
Mexican Congress held an extraordinary
session. The following account of its pro-
ceedings is translated from H1Repubheano
of the 2lst. April. 1t comes in the shape
of a preamble and eight articles, and We
give it entire: +e.f
The'sovereign constituent Mexican Con-
gress, in use Of The full powers with which
the inhabitants Of the Republic have inyes-
tedit for the sacred object of saving its ma
tionality; and as a faithful interpreter of The
firm determination with which its constitn-
.ents are decidedt 10 carry on the war whicIr
the United States ire now making on the
nation, without desisting on account Of any
kind Of reverses; and considering that un.
der these circumstances the first public ne
.cessity is that of preserving a centre o funion
to direct the national defence with all the
energy that circumstances demand, and to
avoid even that danger 81 n revolutionary
power arising which might dissolve the
National Union, destroy its Institutions, or
consent to the ACKNOWLEDGMENT of its terri
tory, has determined TO decree as follows:
ART. l. The Supreme Government Of
the Union is authorised to dictate all neces.
.sary measures for the purpose Of carrying
on the war, defending the nationality nfthe
Republic, and saving the republican feder-
al form of government under which the ma
Ition is constituted.
ART. 9. The preceding article does
not authorize the Executive to make a
peace with the United States, conclude a
negotiation with foreign powers, nor dis
pose, in whole or in part, Of the territory of
the Republic.
ART. 8. Neither does it authoriSe him
to make contracts of condemnation, impose
IpuniShmPnts. nor confer any civil or military
.~emplovmpnts other than those whose ap-
'pointm"nts are expressly entrusted 10 him
by the constitution. .. -
ART. 4. Every agreement ortreaty shall
be null and void which may be made he
the Government of the United States
and any authority whatever. which. smhrcr-
ting the actual order Of affairs, should set
aside or take the place of the l. gally tstab-
Ilished supreme powers of the Uninn.
ART. 5. Every individual is declared a
traitor, let him be a private person or pub"
lie functionary, who either in his private ca
or invested with any authority. in
|competent or of revolutionary origin. NAV;
enter into treaties with the United States
Icf America. . t,,
ART. 6. In Sic event that the actual
Congress finds It impossible to continue
sessions. a permanent crn.mittre shall Re
Immediately installed. tn he composed oftlr
oldest individuals then found present Of
dcputation. -'
Arr. This committee. in, tie abscRre
.nf Congress shall perform the duties of a
Government Council; shall appoint, in case
IOf vacancy, the person who is to take charge
temporarily Of the Executive powers Of tie
Republic; shall regulate the. counting and
taking of the votes in TIE election Of 4 new
President; shall give possession 10 the cleo
ted person. and call together tile national
representation.
ART. S.-Tte powers which the present
decree confer on the Government sl.all
cease as soon asthe war is concluded.
Snch is about the amount of the nroceed-
ings oft!Ic meeting nf the Mexican Congress
held Immediately after the news had reached
the capitol Of the diSastrou. defeat Of Cerro
Gordn' The editor of FL RepnbhcanO, in
speaking of this extraordinary session, in
his paper of the 2lst April, says that "to the
honor of the Legislative body it ought to be
observed, that yesterday more that eighty
members assembled. and that no other than
sentiments Of patriotism were heard cx-
pressed. May the common danger thus
unite all the Mexicans, and cause to disap-
pear even the names Of our sad dissen.
.%sionS.''