each and every tract of land sold by congress, shall be and remain exempt from any tax, laid by the order, or under the authority of the state of Louisiana, whether for state, county, township, parish, or any other purpose whatever, for the term of five years, from and after the respective days of the sales thereof; and that the lands belonging to the citizens of the United States, residing without the said state, shall never be taxed higher than the lands belonging to persons residing therein: and that no taxes shall be imposed on lands the property of the United States. And be it further ordained, by the authority aforesaid, that this ordinance shall never be revoked, without the consent of the United States in congress assembled, being first obtained for that purpose. By the unanimous order of the convention: J. POYDRAS, President of the Convention. ELIJIUS FROMENTIN, Secretary to the Convention. Done in convention, at New Orleans, this 28th day of January, in the year of our Lord 1812, and of the independence of the United States the 36th. CONSTITUTION OF MISSISSIPPI. WE, the representatives of the people inhabiting the western part of the Mississippi territory, contained within the following limits, to wit: Beginning on the river Mississippi, at the point where the southern boundary line of the state of Tennessee strikes the same; thence, east, along the said boundary line, to the Tennessee river; thence, up the same, to the mouth of Bear creek; thence, by a direct line, to the northwest corner of the county of Washington; thence, due south, to the Gulf of Mexico; thence, westwardly, including all islands within six leagues of the shore, to the most eastern junction of Pearl river with lake Borgne; thence, up said river, to the thirty-first degree of north latitude; thence, west, along the said degree of latitude, to the Mississippi river; thence, up the same, to the beginning-assembled in convention at the town of Washington, on Monday, the seventh day of July, one thousand eight hundred and seventeen, in pursuance of an act of congress, entitled "An act to enable the people of the western part of the Mississippi territory to form a constitution and state government, and for the admission of such state into the Union, on an equal footing with the original states;" in order to secure to the citizens thereof the rights of life, liberty, and property, do ordain and establish the following constitution and form of government, and do mutually agree with each other to form ourselves into a free and independent state, by the name of The state of Mississippi. ARTICLE 1. Declaration of Rights. That the general, great, and essential principles of liberty and free government may be recognized and established, we declare: § 1. That all freemen, when they form a social compact, are equal in rights; and that no man, or set of men, are entitled to exclusive, separate public emoluments or privileges, from the community, but in consideration of public services. 2. That all political power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority, and instituted for their benefit: and therefore, they have at all times an unalienable and indefeasible right to alter or abolish their form of government, in such manner as they may think expedient. 3. The exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination, shall forever be free to all persons in this state: Provided, that the right hereby declared and established shall not be so construed as to excuse acts of licentiousness, or justify practices inconsistent with the peace and safety of this state. 4. No preference shall ever be given by law to any religious sect or mode of worship. 5. That no person shall be molested for his opinions on any subject whatever, nor suffer any civil or political incapacity, or acquire any civil or political advantage, in consequence of such opinions, except in cases provided for in this constitution. 6. Every citizen may freely speak, write, and publish his sentiments on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of that liberty. 7. No law shall ever be passed to curtail or restrain the liberty of speech or of the press. 8. In all prosecutions or indictments for libels, the truth may be given in evidence, and the jury shall have the right to determine the law and the facts, under the direction of the court. 9. That the people shall be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and possessions, from unreasonable seizures or searches; and that no warrant to search any place or to seize any person or things, shall issue without describing them as nearly as may be, nor without probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation. each and every tract of land sold by congress, shall be and remain exempt from any tax, laid by the order, or under the authority of the state of Louisiana, whether for state, county, township, parish, or any other purpose whatever, for the term of five years, from and after the respective days of the sales thereof; and that the lands belonging to the citizens of the United States, residing without the said state, shall never be taxed higher than the lands belonging to persons residing therein: and that no taxes shall be imposed on lands the property of the United States. And be it further ordained, by the authority aforesaid, that this ordinance shall never be revoked, without the consent of the United States in congress assembled, being first obtained for that purpose. By the unanimous order of the convention: J. POYDRAS, President of the Convention. ELIJIUS FROMENTIN, Secretary to the Convention. Done in convention, at New Orleans, this 28th day of January, in the year of our Lord 1812, and of the independence of the United States the 36th. CONSTITUTION OF MISSISSIPPI. WE, the representatives of the people inhabiting the western part of the Mississippi territory, contained within the following limits, to wit: Beginning on the river Mississippi, at the point where the southern boundary line of the state of Tennessee strikes the same; thence, east, along the said boundary line, to the Tennessee river; thence, up the same, to the mouth of Bear creek; thence, by a direct line, to the northwest corner of the county of Washington; thence, due south, to the Gulf of Mexico; thence, westwardly, including all islands within six leagues of the shore, to the most eastern junction of Pearl river with lake Borgne; thence, up said river, to the thirty-first degree of north latitude; thence, west, along the said degree of latitude, to the Mississippi river; thence, up the same, to the beginning-assembled in convention at the town of Washington, on Monday, the seventh day of July, one thousand eight hundred and seventeen, in pursuance of an act of congress, entitled "An act to enable the people of the western part of the Mississippi territory to form a constitution and state government, and for the admission of such state into the Union, on an equal footing with the original states;" in order to secure to the citizens thereof the rights of life, liberty, and property, do ordain and establish the following constitution and form of government, and do mutually agree with each other to form ourselves into a free and independent state, by the name of The state of Mississippi. ARTICLE 1. Declaration of Rights. That the general, great, and essential principles of liberty and free government may be recognized and established, we declare: § 1. That all freemen, when they form a social compact, are equal in rights; and that no man, or set of men, are entitled to exclusive, separate public emoluments or privileges, from the community, but in consideration of public services. 2. That all political power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority, and instituted for their benefit: and therefore, they have at all times an unalienable and indefeasible right to alter or abolish their form of government, in such manner as they may think expedient. 3. The exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination, shall forever be free to all persons in this state: Provided, that the right hereby declared and established shall not be so construed as to excuse acts of licentiousness, or justify practices inconsistent with the peace and safety of this state. 4. No preference shall ever be given by law to any religious sect or mode of worship. 5. That no person shall be molested for his opinions on any subject whatever, nor suffer any civil or political incapacity, or acquire any civil or political advantage, in consequence of such opinions, except in cases provided for in this constitution. 6. Every citizen may freely speak, write, and publish his sentiments on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of that liberty. 7. No law shall ever be passed to curtail or restrain the liberty of speech or of the press. 8. In all prosecutions or indictments for libels, the truth may be given in evidence, and the jury shall have the right to determine the law and the facts, under the direction of the court. 9. That the people shall be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and possessions, from unreasonable seizures or searches; and that no warrant to search any place or to seize any person or things, shall issue without describing them as nearly as may be, nor without probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation. 10. That, in all criminal prosecutions, the accused hath a right to be heard by himself and counsel: to demand the nature and cause of the accusation: to be confronted by the witnesses against him: to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favour; and, in all prosecutions by indictment or information, a speedy public trial, by an impartial jury of the county; that he cannot be compelled to give evidence against himself, nor can he be deprived of his life, liberty or property, but by the due course of law. 11. No person shall be accused, arrested, or detained, except in cases ascertained by law, and according to the forms which the same has prescribed; and no person shall be punished but in virtue of a law established and promulgated prior to the offence, and legally applied. 12. That no person shall, for any indictable offence, be proceeded against criminally by information, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or the militia, when in actual service, or by leave of the court, for misdemeanor in office. 13. No person shall, for the same offence, be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb, nor shall any person's property be taken or applied to public use without the consent of his representatives, and without just compensation being made therefor. 14. That all courts shall be open, and every person, for an injury done him in his lands, goods, person, or reputation, shall have remedy by due course of law, and right and justice administered without sale, denial, or delay. 15. That no power of suspending laws shall be exercised, except by the legislature or its authority. 16. That excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel punishments inflicted. 17. That all prisoners shall, before conviction, be bailable by sufficient securities, except for capital offences, when the proof is evident, or the presumption great; and the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in case of rebellion or invasion the public safety may require it. 18. That the person of a debtor, where there is not strong presumption of fraud, shall not be detained in prison after delivering up his estate for the benefit of his creditors, in such manner as shall be prescribed by law. 19. That no ex post facto law, nor law impairing the obligation of a contract, shall be made. 20. That no person shall be attainted of treason or felony by the legislature. 21. That the estates of suicides shall descend or vest as in cases of natural death; and if any person shall be killed by casualty, there shall be no forfeiture by reason thereof. 22. That the citizens have a right, in a peaceable manner, to assemble together for their common good, and to apply to |