New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-07-29
CONSTITUTION
THE STATE OF NEw-uExrCO,
From the Washington Republic.
Preamble.


We tire people Of New Mexico, in order 70 a
tabsh justice, promote the welfare, and secure .he
blessings Of liberty to ourselves and our posterity
scknoE ging with grateful hearts the soolnsss
Of the Sovereign Ruler Of the Universe and in.
ploring his aid and direction in its accomplishment
to ordAin and establish the following Constitution,
or form OF Government, add do mutually sgree with
each other to form ourselves into a free and indie
pendent State, BY the name Of the State Of New.
Mevico, with the following limits and boundaries,
to wit as follows:
boundaries.
Beginning at the dam in the Rio del Norte, which
supplies with water the " aseQiia" or irrigating
canal Of the town Of FL Paso del Norte, aud run
ming thence due east to the hundredth parallel;
thence due north said parallel to q point where
the same intersects the river Arkansas thence
| up tie middle Of the channel Of said river 10 It's
s S thence IN direct line to point on the
mo Colorado Of California where the same is in.
tersected by the one hundred and eleventh parallel
OF longitude west Of Green wich; thence due south
on the said parallel of longitude to point on the
NO Qua Iniersected by the same; thence up the
middle OF the main channel OF raid river =, ,ha
point " hich may be designated by the Commi..ion.
ers appointed 70 establish the line between the
! United States and the Republic of Mexico al the
| point where said river one Of its branches shall
be intersected by the western line Of New Mexico;
thence south on the said line, as the same shall be
established by the Commissioners, to the angle
! formed by the States Of Chihuahua, Sonora and
| New Mexico; thence easterly on the line between
| the United States and the Republic Of Mexico, as
| il shall be laid down by said Commissioners, to a
| point where the same may intersect the Rio del
Norte; thence down said river to the place Of be-
ginning.
ARTICLE l.
DECLARATION OF RIGHTS.
SEC. /. All men being born equally free and indie
pendent, and having certain natural, inhertant snd
inalenabe rights, among which are the enjoying
and defending Of life and liberty the requirement.
possession and protection OF property, and the pur
suit OF and attainment OF happiness; therefore, no
male person shall be held by law to serve any per.
son as a servant, slave apprentice, after he ar
riyes at the age Of 2l years; nor female in like
manner after she arrives at the age Of Is years.
less they be bound by their own consent after they
arrive at such an age, or are bound by law for pun
ishment of crime.
.. All power is inherent in the people all free
Governments are founded in their authority; they
have therefore an insienable and indefeasibe right
to institute government TO alter and ref rm, 10
totally change the same when their safety and hap.
piness require it,
3. All men have a natural and indefeasible right
to worship God according to the dictates OF their
own consciences, which right shall never be in.
iriDged, and no performance shall ever be given by
law 10 any religious society, mode of worship, or
any control or interference with the rights Of con.
science be permitted.
T. No religious test shall ever be required as
qualification to any office Of public trust in this
State nor shall the civil rights, privileges capa.
cities a any citizen in any manner be diminished
or enlarged on account OF his religious opinions,
except as is 10 this Constitution hereinafter pro.
vded.
5 Every person may freely speak, write, and
publish his sentiments n ali subjects, being re.
sponsible for the abuse OF that liberty.
6. No law shall ever be passed to eurtai or re.
strain the liberty Of speech or the press.
7. The people shall be secure in their persons,
houses, papers, and possessions, from unreasonable
searches and seizures and no warrants shall issue
without describing the place TO be searched, or the
person or thing to be seized, as nearly as may be-
nor without probable cause supported by oath or
affirmation
g. All elections shall be free and equal
g. The right OF trial by jury shall be inviolable
except tnat ine Legislature may authorize the trial
Of civil suits when the matter In Dispute does NOT
exceed fifty dollars, by a jury of six persons
~. IN all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall
nave the right to speedy and public trial BY an
Impartial jury 70 be informed Of the accusation
against him, to be confronted with the Witnesses
against him, to have compulsory process for obtain
ing witnesses in his favor, and 10 have the assist
ance Of counsel in his defence.
IL. No person shall be held to answer for Grim.
inal offense, unless on the presentment or indict
ment of Grand Jury, except In cases of ippeach.
ment or IN cases cognizable by Justices of the
Peace, or in the army or in the militia, when ia
actual service, or 10 sine OF war
-. No person, after acquitta, shall be tried for
the same otfense and all persons shall before con-
vction be baable by sufficient securities, except
for capital ofienses, when the proof is evident or
the presumption great; and the writ of habeas cor.
pus shall not be suspended unless when, In case Of
rebellion invasion, the public safety may require
it.
10. Excessive bail shall not be required exces. |
sive fines shall not be imposed, or cruel aud unjust
punishment inflicted.
Il. The military shall be subordinate to the civil
powers No standing army shall be kept uo by |
the State in time Of peace and no soldier shall be |
CHARTERED in any house without the consent Of the
owner; nor in time of war except in the manner |
prescribed by law.
IS. No person in this State, except such as are 1
employed in the army navy OF the United States,
or militia, in time OF actual service, shall be sub
ject to corporea punishment under the military |
law.
To- Every citizen shall have the right 10 keep or |
bear arms in the lawful defense Of himself or the
State.
H. No conviction shall work corruption Of blood |
or oonhscRton Of property
ls. No post fGeto law, retroactive law, or any
law imparing the obligation Of contracts, shall be
made
10. Emigration from this State shall never be |
prohibited; nor shall any citizen ever be exiled
under any pretense whatever
20. No distinction shall ever be made by Law De. |
tween resident aliens and citizens in reference 70
the possession. enjoyment or descent Of property
2l The people have the right freely 20 assemble |
together to counsel for the common good 10 make |
known their opinions to their Representatives, and
70 petition for redress OF grievances
% No power Of suspending laws shall be exsr |
eised except By the Legislature or its authority
~ This enumeration Of rights shall not be con-
strued to impair or deny others retained by the
people.
ARTICLE H.
DIsrRIBUTIos % POWERS.
SEC. l. The powers OF he Government Of the
State Of New.Mexico shall be divided into three
dislinct departments, and each OF them conided to
separate bodies Of magisTacy 10 wit Those which
are Legislative TO one; those which are Judicial,
to another and those which are Executive, 70
another.