The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-02-19
CONSTITUTIONS
OF THE PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT
OF THE CONFEDERATE STATES
OK AMERICA

we, the deputies OIL the 0oVereiSn anu 1Hue'
pendent States of South Carolina. Georgia. Florida
Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana invoking the
favor Of Almighty God, do hereby, in behalf oil
those States ordain and establish this Constitu
ton, for the Provisional Government of the same
to continne for one year from the Inauguration OF
the President, or until permanent Constitution
or Confederation between the said States shall be
put in operation, Whatsoever shall first occur.
ARTICLE L-Sec ALI legislative powers
herein delegated shall be vested in this Congress
now assembled, until otherwise ordained.
Sec. 2-When vacancies happen in the re-
presentation from any State, the same shall be
filled in such the proper authorities Of
the State may direct.
Sec. 3-1.-The Congress shall be the judge
of the elections returns and qualifications of its
members any number of Deputies from majority
Of the States being present, shall constitute a
quorum to do business; but smaller number may
adjourn from day to day. and may be authorized
to compel the attendance Of absent members; upon
all questions before the Congress. each State shah
be entitled to one vote, and shall be represented
by any one or more of its Deputies, who may be
present.
2 The Congress may determine the rules of its
proceedings, punish its members for disorderly
behavior, and with the concurrence of two-thirds,
expel member.
g. The Congress shall keep journal of its pro-
ceedngs, and from time to time publish the same,
excepting such parts may in their judgment re-
quire secrecy; and the yeas and nays of the men,
bers on any question, SHALL at the desire of one
fifth of those present. at the instance of any one
State, be entered on the journal.
Sec. 4.-The members of Congress shall receive
compensation for their services, to be ascertaned
by law, and paid out Of the treasury of the Con-
federacy They shall in all cases, except treason,
felony, and breach Of the peace, be privileged from
arrest during their attendance at the session of
Congress, and in going to and returning from the
same; and for any speech or debate they shall not
be questioned in any other place.
Sec. 81. Every bill which shall have passed
the Congress, shall, before it becomes a law, be
presented to the President of the Contederacy; if
he approve he shall sign it; but if not, he shall
turn it with his objections, to the Congress, who
shall enter the objections at large their journal,
and proceed to reconsider it. If, after such
sideration, two-thrds of the Congress shall agree
to pass the bill, it shall become law. But in all
such cases, the vote shall be determined by yeas
and nays; and the names Of the persons voting for
and against the bill shall be entered on the journal
If any bill shall not be returned by the President
within ten days Sundays exeepted) after it shall
have been presented to him, the same shall be a
law in like manner if he had signed it, unless
the Congress, by their adjournment, prevent its
President may veto any appropriation appro-
priations and approve any other appropriations in
the same bill
2. Every order, resolution or vote, intended TO
have the force and effect of law, shall be presen-
ted to the President, and before the same shall
take effect, shall be approved by him. being dis
approved by him. shall be re-passed by two thirds
OF the Congress- according to the rules and limita-
tons prescribed n the of bill
3. Until the inauguration Of the President, all
bills orders, resolutions and votes adopted by the
Congress shall be of full force without approval by
him.
Sec. 6.-1. The Congress shall have power
to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and ex-
cises, for the revenue necessary to pay the debts
aud carry on the Government of the Confederacy;
and all duties, imposts and excuses shall be uni
form throughout the States Of the Confederacy.
Aud this Congress shall also exercise executive
powers, until the President is inaugurated.
2. To borrow money on the credit of the Con-
federacy.
To regulate commerce with foreign nations,
and among the several States, and with the Indian
tribes.
4. To establish uniform rule of naturalization,
and uniform laws on the subject Of bankruptcies
throughout the Coniederacy.
). TO coin money, regulate the value thereof
and of foreign con and ix the standard of weights
and measures,
6. TO provide for the punishment of counter
feitng the securities aud current coin of the Con-
federacy.
I. 10 establish post Offices and post roads
s. To promote the progress of science and useful
arts, by securing, for limited times, to authors and
inventors the exclusive right to their respective
writings and discoveries
9. To constitute tribunals inferior to the Supreme
Court.
10. To define and punish piracies and felones
committed on the high seas, and offences against
the law of nations.
IL. To declare war; grant letters of marque and
reprisal, and make rules concerning captures on
land and water.
II To raise and support armies but no appro-
priatlon Of money to that use shall be for longer
term than two years.
Ii. 10 provide and maintain a navy.
IA. TO make rules for the government and re-
guatlon of the land and naval forces
Is. To,provide for calling forth the militia to exc
cute the laws of the Confederacy, suppress insur-
rectons and repel mvasions.
10. To provide for organizing, arming, and dis
cipiining the militia, and for governing such part
OF them as may be employed in the service of the
Contederacy, reservinS to the States respectively
the appointment of the officers, and the authority
of training the militia according the discipline
prescribed by Congress, aud
II. 10 make all laws which shall be necessary
and proper for carrying into execution the forego-
ing powers and all other powers expressly delegat-
ed by this Convention to this Provisional Govern
ment.