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or elsewhere, out of the limits of any state or dis- defraud the United States, or any body politic or cortrict, shall be in the district where the offender is ap-porate, or any person or persons whatsoever; every prehended, or into which he may be first brought. such person, so offending, shall be deemed guilty of Sec. 15. And be it further enacted, That, in every felony, and shall, on conviction thereof, be punished case where any criminal, convicted of any offence by fine, not exceeding five thousand dollars, and by against the United States, shall be sentenced to im-imprisonment and confinement to hard labor, not exprisonment and confinement to hard labor, it shall be ceeding ten years, according to the aggravation of the lawful for the court, by which the sentence is passed, offence. to order the same to be executed in any state prison, or penitentiary, within the district where such court is holden, the use of which prison or penitentiary may be allowed or granted by the legislature of such state for such purposes; and the expenses attendant upon the execution of such sentence shall be paid by the United States.

Sec. 18. And be it further enacted, That, if any person or persons shall falsely make, forge or counterfeit, or cause or procure to be falsely made, forged or counterfeited, or willingly aid or assist in falsely making, forging or counterfeiting, any paper, writing, or instrument, in imitation of, or purporting to be, any letter of attorney, or other authority or in

Sec. 16. And be it further enacted, That if any per-strument, to assign, transfer, sell or convey, any son, who shall be employed as president, cashier, share or sum in the public stock or debt of the United clerk or servant, in the bank of the United States, States, or in the capital stock of the president, direccreated and established by an act entitled "An act to tors and company of the bank of the United States, or incorporate the subscribers to the bank of the United to receive any annuity or annuities, dividend or diviStates," passed on the tenth day of April, in the year dends, due or to become due on any such stock or of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixteen, debt; or to receive any pension, prize money, wages, or in any office of discount and deposite, established or other debt or sum of money, due or to become by the directors of said bank, in any state or territory due, from the United States; or shall forge or counof the United States, shall feloniously take, steal and terfeit, or cause or procure to be forged or countercarry away, any money, goods, bond, bill, bank note, feited, or willingly aid or assist in forging or counteror other note, check, draft, treasury note, or other feiting, the name or names of any of the holders or valuable security or effects, belonging to said bank, proprietors of any such public stock or debt, or of or deposited in said bank; or, if any person, so em- any person entitled to any such annuity, dividend, ployed as president, cashier, clerk, or servant, shall pension, prize money, wages, or other debt or sum fraudulently embezzle, secrete, or make away with of money, as aforesaid, in or to any such pretended any money, goods, bond, bill, bank note, draft, trea-letter of attorney, authority, or instrument; or shall sury note, or other valuable security or effects, which knowingly and fraudulently demand, or endeavor to he shall have received, or which shall come to his have or obtain, such share or sum in such public possession or custody by virtue of such employment, stock or debt, or capital stock of the said bank, or to every person so offending shall be deemed guilty of have any part thereof transferred, assigned, sold or felony, and shall, on conviction thereof, be punished conveyed, or such annuity, dividend, pension, prize by fiue, not exceeding five thousand dollars, and by money, wages, or other debt or sum of money, or any imprisonment and confinement to hard labor, not ex-part thereof, to be received or paid, by virtue of any ceeding ten years, according to the aggravation of the offence.

such false, forged or counterfeited letter of attorney. authority, or instrument; or shall falsely and deceitSec. 17. And be it further enacted, That if any per- fully personate any true or real proprietor or holder son or persons shall falsely make, forge or counter-of such share or sum in such public stock or debt, or feit, or cause or procure to be falsely made, forged capital stock of the said bank, or any person entitled or counterfeited, or willingly aid or assist in falsely to such annuity, dividend, pension, prize money, making, forging or counterfeiting, any paper, writ-wages, or other debt or sum of money, as aforesaid, ing, or instrument, in imitation of, or purporting to and thereby transferring, or endeavoring to transfer, be, an indent, certificate of the public stock, or debt, such public stock or debt, or capital stock of the said treasury note, or other public security of the United bank, or receiving, or endeavoring to receive, the States, or any letters patent, issued or granted by the money of such true or lawful holder or proprietor president of the United States, or any bill, check, or thereof, or the money of such person or persons, draft, for money drawn by or on the treasurer of the really and truly entitled to receive such annuity, diviUnited States, or by or on any other public officer or dend, pension, prize money, wages, or other debt, or agent of the United States, duly authorized to make, sum of money, as aforesaid, as if such offender were draw, accept, or pay the same, on behalf and for ac- the true and lawful owner thereof, and entitled therccount of the United States; or if any person or per-to; every person so offending shall be deemed guilty sons shall pass, utter, or publish, or attempt to pass, utter, or publish, as true, any such false, forged or counterfeited paper, writing, or instrument, knowing the same to be false, forged or counterfeited, with intent to defraud the United States, or any body politic or corporate, or any other person or persons Sec. 19. And be it further enacted, That if any perwhatsoever; or if any person or persons shall falsely son or persons shall falsely make, forge or counteralter any indent, certificate of the public stock or feit, or cause or procure to be falsely made, forged debt, treasury note, or other public security of the or counterfeited, or willingly aid or assist in falsely United States, or any letters patent, issued or grant-making, forging or counterfeiting, any instrument in ed by the president of the United States, or any imitation of, or purporting to be, an abstract or offbill, check or draft, for money drawn by, or on cial copy, or certificate of the recording, registry, or the treasurer of the United States, or any other pub-enrolment of any ship or vessel, in the office of any lic officer or agent of the United States, duly au- collector of the customs of the United States, or a thorized to make, draw, accept, or pay such bill, license to any ship or vessel for carrying on the check or draft; or if any person or persons shall coasting trade, or fishery or fisheries of the United pass, utter, or publish, or attempt to pass, utter, or States, or a certificate of ownership, pass, passport, publish, as true and unaltered, any such falsely alter-sea letter, or clearance, granted for any ship or vessel, ed indent, certificate, treasury note, or other public under the authority of the United States, or a permit, security, letters patent, or bill, check or draft, know-debenture, or other official document, granted by any ing the same to be falsely altered, with the intent to leollector or other officer of the customs, by virtue of

of felony, and shall, on conviction thereof, be punished by fine, not exceeding five thousand dollars, and by imprisonment and confinement to hard labor, not exceeding ten years, according to the aggravation of the offence.

Sec. 23. And be it further enacted, That if any per

his or their office; or shall falsely alter any abstract, I kill, rob, steal, or to commit a mayhem, or rape, or to official copy, or certificate, of any recording, regis-perpetrate any other felony, commit an assault, on tering, or enrolling of any ship or vessel in the office another, such person shall, on conviction thereof, be of any collector of the customs of the United States, punished by fine, not exceeding three thousand dolor any license to any ship or vessel for carrying on lars, and by imprisonment and confinement to hard the coasting trade or fisheries of the United States, labor, not exceeding three years, according to the agor any certificate of ownership, pass, passport, sea gravation of the offence. Jetter, or clearance, granted for any ship or vessel under the authority of the United States, or any person or persons shall, on the high seas, or within the mit, debenture, or other official document granted by any collector, or other officer of the customs, by virtue of his or their office; or shall pass, utter, or publish, or attempt to pass, utter or publish, as true, any such false, forged or counterfeited instrument, or any such falsely altered abstract, official copy, certificate, license, pass, passport, sea letter, clearance, permit, debenture, or other official document as aforesaid, knowing the same to be false, forged or coun-surance thereon, or on goods on board thereof, or terfeited, or falsely altered, with an intent to defraud the United States, or any other body politic or corporate, or person, whatsoever; every person, so of fending, shall be deemed guilty of felony, and shall, on conviction thereof, be punished by fine, not exceeding one thousand dollars, and by imprisonment and confinement to hard labor, not exceeding three years.

United States, wilfully and corruptly conspire, combine and confederate, with any other person or persons, such other person or persons being either within or without the United States, to cast away, burn or otherwise destroy, any ship or vessel, or to procure the same to be done, with intent to injure any person, or body politic, that hath underwritten, or shall thereafterwards underwrite, any policy of inwith intent to injure any person, or body politic, that hath lent or advanced, or thereafter shall lend or advance, any money on such vessel, on bottomry or respondentia, or shall, within the United States, build or fit out, or aid in building or fitting out, any ship or vessel, with intent that the same shall be cast away, burnt or destroyed, for the purpose or with the design aforesaid, every person, so offending, shall, on conviction thereof, be deemed guilty of felony, and shall be punished by fine, not exceeding ten thousand dollars, and by imprisonment and confinement to hard labor, not exceeding ten years.

Sec. 20. And be it further enacted, That if any person or persous shall falsely make, forge or counterfeit, or cause, or procure to be falsely made, forged or counterfeited, or willingly aid or assist in falsely making, forging or counterfeiting, any coin, in the Sec. 24. And be it further enacted, That, if any of resemblance or similitude of the gold or silver coin, the gold or silver coins which shall be struck or coinwhich has been, or hereafter may be, coined at the ed at the mint of the United States, shall be debased, mint of the United States; or in the resemblance or or made worse, as to the proportion of fine gold or similitude of any foreign gold or silver coin, which, fine silver therein contained, or shall be of less weight by law, now is, or hereafter may be, made current or value than the same ought to be, pursuant to the in the United States; or shall pass, utter, publish or several acts relative thereto, through the default or sell, or attempt to pass, utter, publish or sell, or with the connivance of any of the officers or persons bring into the United States, from any foreign place, who shall be employed at the said mint, for the purwith intent to pass, utter, publish or sell, as true, pose of profit or gain, or otherwise, with a fraudulent any such false, forged or counterfeited coin, know-intent, and if any of the said officers or persons shall ing the same to be false, forged or counterfeited, with intent to defraud any body politic or corporate, or any other person, or persons, whatsoever; every person, so offending, shall be deemed guilty of felony, and shall, on conviction thereof, be punished by fine, not exceeding five thousand dollars, and by imprisonment and confinement to hard labor, not exceeding ten years, according to the aggravation of the of

fence.

embezzle any of the metals which shall, at any time, be committed to their charge for the purpose of being coined, or any of the coins which shall be struck or coined at the said mint, every such officer or person, who shall commit any, or either, of the said offences, shall be deemed guilty of felony, and shall be sentenced to imprisonment and hard labor for a term not less than one year nor more than ten years, and shall be fined in a sum not exceeding ten thousand dollars.

Sec. 21. And be it further enacted, That if any person or persons shall falsely make, forge or counterfeit, or cause or procure to be falsely made, forged or counterfeited, or willingly aid or assist in falsely making, forging or counterfeiting, any coin, in the resemblance or similitude of any copper coin, which has been, or hereafter may be, coined at the mint of the United States; or shall pass, utter, publish or sell, or attempt to pass, utter, publish or sell, or bring into the United States, from any foreign place, with intent to pass, utter, publish or sell, as true, any such false, forged or counterfeited coin, with intent to defraud any body politic or corporate, or any other person or persons, whatsoever; every person, So effending, shall be deemed guilty of felony, and shall, on conviction thereof, be punished by fine, not excecding one thousand dollars, and by imprisonment, and confinement to hard labor, not exceeding three Washington, March 3, 1825: Approved. years.

Sec. 25 And be it further enacted, That all acts and parts of acts, inconsistent with the provisions of this act, shall be, and the same are, hereby, repealed:Provided, nevertheless, That all such acts, and parts of acts, shall be and remain in full force for the punishment of all offences committed before the passing of this act.

Sec. 22. And be it further enacted, That if any person or persons, upon the high seas, or in any arm of The sea, or in any river, haven, creek, basin or bay, within the admiralty jurisdiction of the United States, and out of the jurisdiction of any particular state, on board any vessel belonging in whole or in part to the United States, or any citizen or citizens thereof, shal', with a dangerous weapon, or with intent to

Sec. 26. And be it further enacted, That nothing in this act contained shall be construed to deprive the courts of the individual states of jurisdiction, under the laws of the several states, over offences made punishable by this act.

H. CLAY,
Speaker of the house of representatives.
JOHN GAILLARD,
President of the senate, pro tempore.

JAMES MONROE.

French law on Sacrilege.

We had really thought that the French people were not fitted to bear with a law like the following, which has passed the chambers. It might have suited the gloomy ignorance and rank superstition of Spain. But it goes to shew this, that, wherever

Art. 11. All persons guilty of noise or disorder, even

there is a state religion-no matter whether papist ↑ or protestant, Jew or Mahometan, its natural fruit on the outside of a building dedicated to the exercise of the is mummery and proscription, stupidity and death. religion of the state, so as to retard, interrupt or hinder There is no greater fraud committed on any, people the ceremonies, shall be punished by fine, of not less -no more wicked combination of persons to op- than sixteen and not exceeding three hundred francs, press their fellow men, than that sink of iniquity and by imprisonment, not less than six days nor exwhich is called the "church of Ireland." But ceeding three months. wherever religion is supported by the sword, we cannot expect any more reason in it than there was for the worship of Jeroboam's calves-for every state religion is built upon the principle on which that idolater acted.

Project of a law on sacrilege, presented to the chamber of peers by the keeper of the seals, minister of justice, on the 4th of January, 1825.

CHARLES, &c:-We have ordained, and do ordain, that the following project of a law be presented, in our name, to the chamber of peers:

TITILE I-of sacrilege.

Art. 1. The profanation of the sacred vases, and of the consecrated hosts, is considered sacrilege.

Art. 2. Every species of act, committed voluntarily, either through hatred or contempt of religion, upon the sacred vases, or upon the consecrated hosts, is declared to be profanation.

Art. 3. It is a legal proof of the consecration of the hosts when they are placed in the tabernacle or exposed in the ostensory, and when the priest serves communion, or carries the viaticum to the sick. It is a legal proof of the consecration of the pyx, of the Ostensory, of the paten, and the cup employed in the ceremonies of religion, at the moment of the crime. It is also a legal proof of the consecration of the ostensory, and of the pyx shut up in the tabernacle of the church.

Art. 4. The profanation of the sacred vases is punished with death. The profanation of the consecrated hosts is punished with the penalty of parricide.

TITILE II-of sacrilegious robbery. Art. 5. Whoever shall be declared guilty of a robbery, committed in a building consecrated to the religion of the state, shall be punished with death.

Art. 6. Whoever shall be declared guilty of having, in a building dedicated to the religion of the state, stolen the consecrated vases from the tabernacle, with or without breaking open the same, shall be punished with hard labor for life.

Art. 7. The following shall be punished with the same penalty: 1st. Every robbery of the sacred vases, committed in a building dedicated to the exercise of the religion of the state, without the circumstance mentioned in the preceding article, but with two of the five circumstances provided for in art. 381 of the penal code; 2d. Every robbery committed in the same places, by the aid of violence, and with two of the four first circumstances alluded to in the foregoing article.

Art. 12. Whoever shall be found guilty of destroying, throwing down, mutilating 'or degrading, monuments, statues, or any other objects consecrated to the religion of the state, shall be punished by imprisonment, not less than six months and not exceeding two years, and by fine, of not less than 200 nor more than 2000 francs. The punishment shall be from one to five years imprisonment, and from one to five thousand francs fine, if this crime be committed in the interior of a building consecrated to the religion

of the state.

Art. 13. The article 463 of the penal code shall not be applicable to crimes committed under the 10th, 11th and 12th articles of the present law.

Nor shall it be applicable to crimes committed under the provisions of article 401 of the same code, if the said crimes be committed in the interior of a building consecrated to the religion of the state.

TITLE IV-general dispositions.

Art. 14. The provisions under titles two and three of the present law shall be applicable to crimes and misdemeanors committed in houses dedicated to worships legally established in France.

Art. 15. Those provisions not annulled by the present law shall continue in force.

Given at the castle of the Tuilleries, the 2d
January, 1825, and of our reign the first.
CHARLES.

Republic of Mexico.

[Translated for the National Intelligencer.]
FROM "EL SOL," OF 1ST JAN. 1825.

Installation of the first constitutional congress of Mexico.
The representatives having assembled in their hall,
the act of the last preparatory committee was read
and approved.

The senators then appeared, and, having taken seats between the representatives, the list of the deputics appointed to accompany the president of the republic on his entrance and taking leave, composed of six members of each house, appointed by their respective presidents, agreeably to rule, was read.

The session was suspended whilst the president entered-who, having taken his seat, addressed the two houses in the following terms:

"Gentlemen: It will henceforth be impossible to doubt, as it has been pretended, at some period, whether social institutions, established for the freedom of mankind, are the indispensable result of the progress of just and benevolent ideas, or exist only for a Art. 8. Every person guilty of a robbery of the time, by the shameful subversion of principles, and sacred vases, or any other objects designed for the for the tumultuous advancement of passion. The celebration of the ceremonies of the religion of the parasites of state tyranny, those who make compacts state, provided the robbery has been committed in a and duties emerge from the clouds, deny the legitibuilding dedicated to that religion, though it may not macy and vigor of governments which have sprung be accompanied with any of the circumstances com- from the sovereign people. For, according to these prehended in article 381 of the penal code, shall suf-individuals, free beings have no limit or guaranties; fer the penalty of hard labor for a time.

Art. 9. Every person guilty of robbing, if the robbery be committed in the night, or by two or more persons, in a building dedicated to the religion of the state, shall be punished with solitary confinement. TITLE III-of crimes committed in churches, or against objects consecrated to religion.

Art. 10. Every person who shall be found guilty of an outrage against modesty, if the crime be committed in a building consecrated to the religion of the state, shall be punished by imprisonment of from three to five years, and by tine of from 500 to 10,000 francs.

according to then, they assault and devour each other, and in this strife, cruelty and merciless anger annihilate the hope of any orderly system of legislation.

It is not supposed, gentlemen, that, in order to con-" found the enemies of the people, I need lead them to the ruins of Carthage, to rouse the remembrance of free Rome, or to unfold the pages of that Greece, where letters, fine arts, and sublime philosophy, gave birth to institutions which have been admired in all ages. No! America, our adored country, raising its head over antique times, has resold the most in

teresting problem to humanity, and has already taken | signating the number and local relations of the dis

the veil which covered the origin, and the end and object of power.

The profound legislator of Carolina, and William Penn, the friend of man, planted in the virgin soil of America the precious seeds of civil liberty, which, cultivated afterwards by Washington and Franklin, find themselves now deposited, with the fruit they produced, in that capitol, which has erected wisdom on the banks of the Potomac. From thence are issued desolating rays on despotism, and from there appears the regeneration of sovereign nations. What glory for the new world! How immense the gran-rels, has considerably improved in its discipline.deur of its destiny!

It is admirable, gentlemen, that the light should have penetrated to the colonies, founded by the adventurer Medellin. It is certain that genius overcame resistance, that morals weakened the heat of parties, and that the thoughts of philanthropy came to take the place of customs and errors which time had consecrated.

trict and circuit judges, and prescribing rules for territorial tribunals, and the federal district. Notwithstanding this, the end of justice has been effected as far as possible, and the citizens can complain only of the vices of legislation, and of those introduced by the degrading indolence of the Spanish governors. The prisons and houses of correction have had the fate of the times; but I do not despair of rendering them useful, without increasing the affliction of the delinquents. The Mexican army, which gathered so many lauIt is to be completed; and that now in existence is well armed, in proportion to the arms contracted for, in order to raise the army according to the dictates of our situation and of law. The secretary of war and marine will elucidate my exertions in this branch. The system happily adopted, confides the internal administration to the people and to its local authorities. The government, within its orbit, has undertaken to But, I have come here, gentlemen, to congratulate cut off state abuses; and in this, the patriotic laws bewith you, because the triumph of opinion, of the so-gin to unfold their beneficent activity. This will be cial doctrines, have assembled us on the foundation explained by the secretary of the interior. of a compact created by ourselves and for our own In all the free countries of the universe, wishes are felicity. Who can take from the representatives, formed for the consolidation of the Mexican indewho will leave these seats consecrated to merit and pendence; and as soon as they are enabled to calcuvirtue, the great satisfaction of being replaced by late the immense force which union has given to our citizens equally respectable, and equally anxious for individual and collective prosperity, I am persuaded, the public welfare with themselves? Union, the gentlemen, that they will admit us to the rank of insafety and the welfare of the states, have been con-dependent and sovereign nations. fided to prudent hands, who, by the advice of wisdom, will attract upon themselves the admiration of a people who know how to appreciate justice and talent. Happy are we in having directed the elections to the advantage of the public; we shall see the schemes of the legislator, and the unanimous votes of the Mexican fulfilled in the first constitutional congress.

And is this the people who, for three centuries, wag under a ridiculous administration, a wretched government? The Mexicans, deprived of an equitable system, and after having suffered above the limits of human forbearance, broke off their connection with the metropolis. Our villages burnt, our properties invaded, prisons continually full; grief, despair and My heart rejoices at the happiness we enjoy, and death, perpetually hanging over our heads; such were at that which it hopes to enjoy still. The magnifi-the titles, such the characters that stamped with fire cent edifice of liberty, which formerly was a beauti-and blood the freedom we now enjoy. In recovering ful ideal prospect, has been seated on an indestructible basis, and it now shines by the institution which a great nation deserved.

our rights, and when the strong arm was uplifted for the glory of the country, we gave remarkable exam ples of moderation. Our detractors, now defeated, admire, if for once they can be called just, the empire of the amiable disposition of the Mexican nation, and its more philanthropic system of legislation and government.

The high attributes with which the law and the will of my fellow-citizens have deemed proper to invest me as the depositary of the executive power, have enabled me to employ all my exertions for its usefulness. A glance, although a rapid one, over Citizens of both houses of the general congress of the progressive existence of our affairs, will con- the heroic Mexican nation! Let not the triumphs of vince you, gentlemen, that I have caused to be done the revolution be lost to us! Let the satellites of the the greatest good possible, according to the sphere despotic power give, as a tribute to the ideas of the of my ability, in the short time of my presidency. age and to the progress of civilization in America, the Happy if I have succeeded in filling up the vast cir-testimonials of its forced and tardy repentance! Let cle of my duties to the country!

your ardent zeal for the constitution; your constant love of country and liberty; your wisdom and energy, facilitate the intestimable felicity of elevating the MEXICAN UNITED STATES to that high pitch of greatness, decreed by the supreme arbitrator of destinies! I have done."

The secretary of the treasury will shew to congress that, if its situation is not advantageous, neither on account of its income or its duties, we have succeeded, by great exertions, in clothing, arming and increasing the army and navy, to send succors to New Mexico, to the Californias, and to all the frontiers; to appease the clamors of the officers of the Reply of the president of the congress to the president of republic, whose pay was in arrears, and to defray, the republic. in all its parts, the administration, with the wise and "The Mexican republic, that beloved country, legal use of the foreign loans. The organization of which, although it broke off its foreign yoke, has not the treasury has, by the last law, considerably im-yet been enabled to gather the fruit of so many sacriproved in its economical branch, and advances, with-fices, heroically made, to obtain felicity, has, within out doubt, towards perfection. May the projects that space,received the sacred charter which sanctions which will be submitted to the house deserve its ap- its rights, restores her to the great sphere of indepenprobation! The safety of the republic requires sa-dent nations, and opens to her the high way to that crifices, but these are always compatible with the state, the exertion and patriotism of its heroic citizens. The federal judiciary not existing, and the government being precluded from the intervention which it formerly had in that of the ancient provinces, its action, in this respect, has been almost null, and will be so until the supreme court be instituted by a law de

opulence and prosperity which nature has designed. The nation has, in fact, sworn to the expected constitution; but, what an immense latitude between the oath and its observance. Inclinations, habits, opinions, the fatal result of so many ages of darkness and servitude, are obstacles which can be conquered by the docility and remarkable genius of Mexicans,

the vast materials for the exertions of experience, for the display of knowledge, and for the sacrifice, even of life, should honor require it; for such sacrifices can be demanded of those who have the honor to govern the nation, the general congress and president of the Mexican United States.

and to prove to other nations that the Mexicans are not only able to reconquer their liberty, but, moreover, to allot to themselves the most permanent and wise institutions; that it has within itself the means to cause itself to be respected and looked upon with admiration by others; and that, lastly, it is capable No constitution, however wisely combined, can of completing the remarkable work of its felicity, as stifle the existence of parties in a popular govern-inspired by Providence. Such must be the result of ment; they are the offsprings of liberty; and, deter- the virtue that animates the congress and president mined to support our independence, in this point of the Mexican republic."

alone we are unanimous; for our honor precludes The president of the republic then withdrew, and the belief, that any can dissent to this, or that there the president of the house of representatives proexists one single individual who does not feel indig-claimed that, "the general constitutional congress nant at the idea of foreign servitude or dependence; opens to-day, the 1st January, 1825." unanimous only, I repeat, in this point, we shall have The house then adjourned. to struggle with opinions from the moment that they will arise from incidents, which we must tolerate to a certain degree; and inasmuch as the law, without destroying the passions, leads them towards right; thus the government, without being enabled to shun altogether actions and re-actions, or master the ebb and tide of opinion, has, for its difficult and sublime duty, to balance, moderate and regulate those movements in such manner, as that their jarring eventuate in the peace, the justice, and the reciprocal benefit of both.

First modern written Constitution. Letter from A. B. Woodward to president Jefferson. WASHINGTON, March 25, 1825. SIR: I have the honor to enclose a fac simile copy of a letter received from president Madison.

He corrects an error, into which he conceives I have fallen, in ascribing to you the first modern written constitution.

President Monroe, who carefully compared the conThe federal republic, composed of so many and va-stitution of Virginia with other documents known to rious elements, is a complicated machinery, whose have proceeded from your pen, was originally of action requires so much precision, so much delicacy opinion that my statement was substantially correct; in its direction, that it is reserved to superior un-being under an impression that, though the draught derstandings. But the congress and president have was first offered by Mr. Mason at Williamsburgh, yet an infallible support. In order to fulfil their great it was derived from a manuscript furnished by you, trust, they can meet, and even surpass the expecta- from Philadelphia. Since the perusal of the letter tion of those whose confidence they possess: they of president Madison, president Monroe wavers somemay render their fame adored, placing it on a line what from his first sentiment. with that of Solo, Lock, Penn, Washington and the Written constitutions are great moral levers. Those other benefactors of mankind. In virtue alone is to of America undoubtedly produced the revolution of be found that supporter in that republican virtue, France. They are emancipating the southern conthat knows how to lose sight of its personal interest, tinent of the western hemisphere. They are even whose ambition looks up to the public good, and pervading the domains of ancient liberty. They will, which can distinguish, through the clouds of passion, eventually, change the whole aspect of human affairs at a clear and perspicacious glance, the path that upon this globe. The first which was prepared for leads to public felicity. The heart of every Mexican practical use becomes, therefore-however rude, in expands at the idea that such will be the guide, the the progress of time, its construction might compaluminary, the soul of its congress and president. This ratively appear-an ethic phænomenon of no ordinavirtue shall identify itself with their opinions, willry interest. Like the source of the Nile, which has gather their votes, dictate their statutes, render them attracted the attention of kings and nations, it is not indefatigable, and will concentrate their strength to so much the intrinsic magnificence of the object that secure to the country its liberty and the accumula-excites the sensibility, as the contemplation of the tion of the advantages it deserves. resulting majesty and fertility.

You are going to exhibit to Mexico and to the world, a sublime spectacle, in your rectitude, purity, efficacy and unanimity; and soon you will deserve, from your country and posterity, the applause and tribute due to the sons of republican virtue. You will be the source from which shall flow, on all classes of the Anahuac society, that equitable spirit of benevolence that characterizes and supports good govern

ments.

A vast and luminous career is open before you, and at its end is perspectively scen the majestic and safe march of the federal republic of Mexico, the friendly nations, (and all ought to be so), allied to her, Asia and Europe at her side, connected by important and pacific relations, and felicity dispensing, by the hand of Mexico, its treasures and lights to the inhabitants of the universe.

By a happy coincidence, you are going to direct its councils, at probably the most important time, when each instant is critical, each conjuncture decisive: when the new institutions are on the point of breaking off their course, emerging from the obstructions and ruins heaped by despotism and its ministers, by ignorance and fear; and when their irresistible current is to be directed by you, between two precipices, created by slavery and anarchy. To you belongs the fulfilling of the pledges given by our constitution,

I beg you, sir, to accept the repeated assurance of a veneration which increases with time, and will end only with existence. A. B. WOODWARD. The hon. president Jefferson, Monticello, Virginia. Letter from president Jefferson to judge Woodward. MONTICELLO, April 3, 1825. DEAR SIR: Your favor of March 25, has been duly received. The fact is unquestionable, that the bill of rights and the constitution of Virginia were drawn originally by George Mason, one of our really great men, and of the first order of greatness. The history of the preamble to the latter is as follows: I was then at Philadelphia with congress, and knowing that the convention of Virginia was engaged in forming a plan of government, I turned my mind to the same subject, and drew a sketch or outline of a constitution, with a preamble, which I sent to Mr. Pendleton, president of the convention, on the mere possibility that it might suggest something worth incorporation into that before the convention. He informed me afterwards by letter, that he received it on the day on which the committee of the whole had reported to the house the plan they had agreed to; that that had been so long in hand, so disputed, inch by inch, and the subject of so much altercation and debate, that they were worried with the contentions it had pro

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