The Yazoo Democrat., 1859-10-29
BROWNS PROVISIONAL CONSTITUTION
AND ORDINANCES FOR THE UNIFIED

STATES.
Provisional Constitution and Ordinances
Jor the people Of the United States.
PREAMBLE.
Whereas, Slavery throughout its entire
existence in the United States is none other
than the most barbarous, unprovoked and
unjustifahle war If one portion of its citi,
Gems against another portion, the only coadi
tions If which are perpetual imprisonment
aud hopeless servitude or absolute extermin.
aliony in utter disregard and violation of
those eternal and self-evident truths set
forth in our Declaration Of Independence.
Therefore, We, the citizens Of the United
States, and the oppressed people, who by a
recent decision of the Supreme Court are de.
clared to have no rights which the white
man is bound to respect together with all
the other people degraded by the laws there
#, do for the time being ordaiu and estab
lish for ourselves the following Provisional
Constitution and Ordinances, the better to
protect our people, property, lives and liber
ties, aud to govern our actions.
ARTICLE l. Qualification for Member
ship. All persons of mature age, whether
prescribed, oppressed and enslaved citizens,
or of prescribed and oppressed races of the
United States, who shall agree to sustain
and enforce the provisional constitution and
ordinances Of organization, together with all
minor children of such persons, shall be
held to be fully entitled to protection under
the same.
ART 2. Branches Of Government The
Provisional Government of this organization
shall consist of three branches, VIZ: the
Legislative the Executive and judicial.
ART. 3. The Legislqtivs The Legisa
live branch shell be Congress or House of
Representatives, composed of not less than
live, nor more than ten members, who shall
be elected by all the citizens of mature age
and of sound mini connected with this or,
ganization, and who sball remain in Office for
hree years, unless sooner removed for mis-
conduct, or inability, or by death. A ma
jority of such members, shall constitute a
quorum.
ART. 4. Executives The Executive branch
OF this orgauiga tion shall consist If Presi
lent, who shall be chosen by the citizens or
members of this orgasisarinn, and each of
whom shall hold his offce for three years
nuless sooner removed by depth or for ina.
bility or misconduct.
ART. s JudiciQl.- Judicisl branch
shall consist of one Chief Justice Of the Su-
preme Court and four Associate Judges ofI
he said Court, each of them constituting
Circuit Court. They slall each be chosen
ia he same manner as the President, and
shall continue in Office until their places
have been filed in the same manner by on
election of citi7eus.
ARTS. l3 to rs provide for the trial Of
Le President and other officers and members
If Congress, the impeachment of judges
he duties of the President and Vice -presi
ienti the punishment Of crimes, army ap |
p piutments, saeFies, &C., &c. These article.
ne not of special interest, and are therefore
omitted.
ART. "a Treaties Of Pence- Before an,
Treaty Of Peace shall take full effect it shAl
be sigued by the President, Vice President.
Con nande' in,Chicf, majority ofthe House
lf Representatives, a majority of the Su
oreme Court, and majority Of all the Gtn
,ra 0ficers of the army.
Arr y. Duty Of tie MiH ary 1T shall
De the du'y of the Commnuder-in.C Chief and
III the f5cers aud sodisrs Of the army, to
ford special protection, when needel, to
congress or any member thereof; to the
supreme Court or any member thereof; to
he President. Vice President, Fre$surer,
md Secretary Of War, and to aFord genera
protection to ali civil ofBcers OF other persons
aviug right to the same.
ART. 2S.. Property All captured or
onhscated property, ard sill property the
roduct Of the labor Of those belonging to
his organization and Of their families, shall
e held as the property Of the whole equal.
Y, without distinction, and may be used for
he common benefit or disposed of for the
ame object; aud any person, off Ger or
ihcr@ise, who shall improperly retain, Sc
rete, use, or Reedlessly destroy such prop.
rly, or property fund, captured, or coDfsca
ad, belonging to the enemy, or shall vii
uIly neglect to render a full aud fair state.
nent of such property by him so taken or
eld. shall be deemed guilty Of misdemean
r, aud on conviction, shall be punished ac.
orlingy
ART. 20 Safety or Intelligence Fund.
M money, plate, watches or jewelry cap.
ured by honorablI warfare, found, taken Or
onfscated, belonging to the enemy, sh Il
'e held sacred to constitute a liberal safety
r intelligence fund and any person who
hall improperly retain, dispose Of hide, use
r destroy such money OF other article,
bove named, contrary to the provisions aud
pirit of this article, shall be deemed guilt,
f theft, and on conviction thereof shall be |
punished accordingly. The Treasurer shall
urnish the Commander-in Chief at all times
With a full statement of the condition of
uch fund and its nature.
ART. 80 KOllmtaries. All persons who
nay come forward, and shall voluntarily de
ver up slaves, and have their names regis
cred on the books of the organization, shall
0 long as they continue at peace, be enti
led to the fullest protection in person and
property, though not connected With this or