Baltimore commercial journal, and Lyford's price-current. [volume] (Baltimore, Md) 1840-1849, 1849-11-24
CONSTITUTION OF CALIFORNIA.


reading,) are as follows:
SECTION |. All men are by nature free and indie
pendent, and have certain inalienable rights among
which are those Of enjoying and defending life and
liberty, acquiring, possessing and protecting property,
and pursuing and obtaining safety and happiness.
SEC. II. All political power is inherent in the Peo-
pie. Government is instituted for the protection
curiy and benefit of the people; and they have the
right at all times to alter reform the same when
ever the public good may require it,
SEC. III. The right of Trial by Jury shall be
cured to all, and remain inyiolate forever. But
Jury trial may be waived by the parties in all cases.
in the manner to be prescribed by law.
SEC. ~. The free exercise and enjoyment OF re-
ligious profession and worship, without discrmina-
ton or preference, shall forever be allowed in this
State to all manind and no person shall be rendered
incompetent to be witness account of his opin-
ions on matters of religious belief but the liberty of
conscience hereby secured shall not be construed
to acts of RIGHTEOUSNESS Justify practices
inconsistent with the peace safety of this State
SEC V. The privilege of the writ of hadeaS corpus
shall not he suspended, unless when, in OF
beon or invasion, the public safety may require its
suspension.
SEC VI. Excessive bail shall not be required, nor
excessive fines imposed, nor shall cruel and unusual
punishment be inflicted, nor shall witnesses be
reasonably detained
SEC VII. No person shall be held to answer for
capital infamous crime, Except in cases of i'm
service; and the land and naval forces in time of war;
which this State may keep with the consent OF
Congress in time oil peace and in cases OF petit lar
ccny, under the regulation of the Legisature) unless
presentment or Indictment OF Grand Jury, and in
any trial in any Court whatever, the party accused
shall be allowed to appear and defend III person and
with counsel as in civil actions. No person shall be
subject to be twice put in jeopardy for the same
offence; nor shall he be compelled, Ill any criminal
case, to be witness against HIMSELF be deprived
OF life, liberty property without due process Of
law; nor shall private property be taken for public
use without Just compensation.
SEC. VIII. Every citizen may freely speak, write
and publish his sentiments all subjects, being
sponsibe for the abuse of that right and law shall
be passed to restrain abrdge the liberty of Speech
or Of the press. In all criminal prosecutions in
diatmeats for hbels, the truth may be given in evil
dence to the jury; and if it shall appear to the jury
that the matter charged libeous is true, and was
published with good motives, and for ustiflbe ends
the party shall be acguitted and the jury shall have
the right to determine the law and the fact.
SEC TX. The people shall have the right freely to
assemble together, to consult for the common good,
to instruct their Representatives, and to petition the
Legislature for redress of grievances.
SEC. X All laws of general nature shall have
uniform operation
SEC H. The military shall be subordinate to the
civil power. No standing army shall be kept up by
the State in time of peace, and in time Of APP
preparation for standing army shall be for longer
time than two years.
SEC. XII No soldier shall, in time of peace, be
CHARTERED in any house without the consent Of the
owner, in time of war except in the manner pre-
scrbed by law.
SEC XIII. As all men are entitled to equal polit-
cal rights representation should be apportioned
cordng to population.
SEC. XIV. No person shall be imprisoned for debt
in any civil action mesnc final process, unless
in of fraud: and person shall be imprisoned
for a militia fine in time of peace.
SEC. XIV. No bill Of attainder, ex post facto law,
or law impairmg the obligations Of contracts, shall
ever be passed.
SEC. XVI. Foreigners who are, or who may here
after become, bona file residents of this State, shall
enjoy the rights, in respect to the possession,
enjoyment, and inheritance of property, as native
born citizens.
SEC. XVII. NEITHER SLAVERY, NOR INVOLUNTARY
SERvITUDE, UNLESS FOR THE PUNISHMENT OF CRIME,
SHALL EVER De TOLERATED IN THIS STATE
SEC XVIII. The right of the people to be secure
in their persons, houses, papers and effects, against
unreasonable seizures and Searches shall not be vio
lated and no warrant shall issue but on probable
cause, supported by oath affirmation, particularly
describing the place to be searched and the persons
or things to be seized.
SEC. XIX Treason against the State shall consist
only in evying against it, adhering to its enc
mics, or giving them aid and comfort. No person
shall be convicted of treason unless the evidence
OF two witnesses to some overt act or confession IN
open court.
The pay of the officers of the Convention was
arranged as follows:
Secretary per diem, SIS Asst Int, per diem, S2l
Assistant do. $3.50. % Chaplain. ......... 10
Engrossing Clerks. % Sergeant-at-Arms. ~
Copying Clerks.... IS Door Keeper. l.
Interpreter ......... Is
The members voted themselves $40 day. Pre-
sident, S25.
The following additional particulars concerning
the New Constitution are from the .dftG Catyorhdn
OF Oct. 1:
The Legislature Is TO consist OF two branches, an
Assembly and Senate, with such general powers,
privileges, and duties as are usually given to such
bodies Banking corporations and Lotteries are pro-
hbed, and all other corporations, except Tor NUM-
cpa purposes, are to be established under general
laws the stockholders to be individually liable Tor all