Chap. XVIII. THE CONSTITUTION. 295 



of recklessness. In this constitution there were two legisla- 

 tive chambers, a Senate and a House of Representatives ; but 

 half the representatives were chosen by lot to form a Senate, 

 so that one chamber was a mere counterpart of the other. 

 The most remarkable clauses, however, were those in which 

 measures leading to the federal form of government, a pla- 

 giarism of the disastrous system of the United States, were 

 adopted. Peru continued to be divided into Departments 

 governed by Prefects appointed by the President ; but it was 

 now enacted that in the capital of each Department there 

 should be a sort of state legislature called a Junta Depart- 

 mental, the members being elected by the people, and em- 

 powered to deliberate and legislate for the good of the 

 Department. This measure was but a commencement of that 

 fatal system which had convulsed some of the other republics ; 

 and its tendency was so apparent that Castilla was accused of 

 intending to divide Peru into a dozen petty states, and to rule 

 as a Dictator, by fomenting dissensions among them.^ A 

 wiser and more useful measure was the establishment of what 

 are called Juntas 31unicipales in the toAvns and unions of 

 villages, composed of the principal residents, who are in- 

 trusted with the supervision and promotion of all local 

 interests and improvements. 



In November 1860 this constitution was reformed, improve- 

 ments were introduced, and some of its more absurd and 

 injurious provisions were repealed. Capital punishment for 

 the crime of murder was again enacted. The Congress was 

 to meet every two years on the 28th of July ; a third of their 

 number to be renewed every two years; and, dm-ing the 

 recess, a permanent committee of the Congress, consisting 

 of seven senators and eight deputies, to be elected at the end 

 of each session, was to watch the execution of acts passed 

 by the Congi-ess, and to exercise its functions. A great 



" Fnivonena , i. p. 088. 



