SLAVES.

Sec. 1. The legislature shall have no power to Slavesipa. pass laws for the emancipation of slaves withtion of, how out the consent of their owners, unless where the slave shall have rendered to the state some distinguished service; in which case, the owner shall be paid a full equivalent for the slave

made.

so emancipated. They shall have no power Emigrants to prevent emigrants to this state from bringing may brinth with them such persons as are deemed slaves

slaves them.

by the laws of any one of the United States, so long as any person of the same age or description shall be continued in slavery by the laws of this state: Provided, that such person or slave be the bona fide property of such emigrants :

And provided, also, that laws may be passed Slaves con- to prohibit the introduction into this state of victed of slaves who may have committed high crimes to be impor- in other states. They shall have power to pass

crimes not

ted.

laws to permit the owners of slaves to emancipate them, saving the rights of creditors, and preventing them from becoming a public charge. They shall have full power to oblige Legislature the owners of slaves to treat them with humanity, to provide for them necessary clothing and provisions, to abstain from all injuries to them extending to life or limb, and in case of their neglect or refusal to comply with the directions of such laws, to have such slave or slaves sold for the benefit of the owner or owners.

may pass laws for treatment of slaves.

Introduction of slaves, as

Sec. 2. The introduction of slaves into this

state as merchandize or for sale, shall be promerchan- hibited from and after the first day of May, hibited after eighteen hundred and thirty-three: Provided, that the actual settler or settlers shall not be

prohibited from purchasing slaves in any state in this Union, and bringing them into this state for their own individual use, until the year eighteen hundred and forty-five.

capital.

Sec. 3. In the prosecution of slaves for Prosecution crimes of which the punishment is not capital, crimes not no inquest by a grand jury shall be necessary; but the proceedings in such cases shall be regulated by law.

MODE OF REVISING THE CONSTITUTION.

tion how

Whenever two-thirds of each branch of the Constitu legislature shall deem any change, alteration, revised. or amendment necessary to this constitution, such proposed change, alteration, or amendment, shall be read and passed by a majority of two-thirds of each house respectively on each day for three several days: public notice thereof shall then be given, by the secretary of state, at least six months preceding the next general election, at which the qualified electors shall vote directly for or against such change, alteration or amendment; and if it shall appear that a majority of the qualified electors voting for members of the legislature, shall have voted for the proposed change, alteration, or amendment, then it shall be inserted, by the next succeeding legislature, as a part of this constitution, and not otherwise.

SCHEDULE.

Rights ves

Sec. 1. All rights vested, and all liabilities incurred, shall remain the same as if this con- ted. stitution had not been adopted.

Suits in law

Sec. 2. All suits at law or in equity, now and equity, pending in the several courts of this state, may how trans be transferred to such court as may have pro

ferred.

per jurisdiction thereof.

Sec. 3. The governor, and all officers, civil Officers, &c and military, now holding commissions under the authority of this state, shall continue to hold and exercise their respective offices until they shall be superseded pursuant to the provisions of this constitution, and until their successors be duly qualified.

in force

Sec. 4. All laws now in force in this state, Laws now not repugnant to this constitution, shall conshall con- tinue to operate until they shall expire by their they expire own limitation, or be altered or repealed by the

tinue until

or are re

pealed.

legislature.

Sec. 5. Immediately upon the adoption of First elec- this constitution, the president of this conventhis consti- tion shall issue writs of election, directed to the sheriffs of the several counties, requiring them to cause an election to be held on the first Monday and day following in December next, for members of the legislature, at the respective places of holding elections in said counties; which elections shall be conducted in the manner prescribed by the existing election laws of this state; and the members of the legislature, thus elected, shall continue in office until the next general election, and shall convene at the seat of government on the first Monday in January, eighteen hundred and thirty-three; and shall, at their first session, order an election to be held in every county of this state, on the first Monday in May and day following, eighteen hundred and thirty-three, for all state and county officers under this constitution, (members of the legislature excepted;) and the offi

officers first

cers then elected shall continue in office until the succeeding general election, and after, in How long the same manner as if the election had taken elected to place at the time last aforesaid.

Sec. 6. Until the first enumeration shall be made, as directed by this constitution, the apportionment of senators and representatives among the several districts and counties in this state, shall remain as at present fixed by law.

P. RUTILIUS R. PRAY, President of the Convention, and Representative from the county of Hancock. ATTEST:

JOHN H. MALLORY, Secretary.

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continue in office.

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