HONDURAS. 4 



privately and publicly the religion he desires. The Government 

 acknowledges no Stete religion. There is no censorship over the press. 

 Everyone can follow the profession or industry he chooses, and may go 

 from one republic to the other without passports. One may dispose of 

 his property as he sees fit. The constitution grants no privileges of caste. 

 Before the law all are equal. All citizens, except criminals, may fill 

 public posts . Both natives and foreigners are equal before the civil 

 law. 



One year's residence in Honduras entitles foreigners to naturaliza- 

 tion, to-wit: Colonists who occupy lands in Indian neighborhoods, or in 

 unsettled districts ; all who inaugurate important works of general util- 

 ity ; those who bring fortunes into the country ; all who introduce useful 

 inventions into the Republic, and all who procure naturalization 

 papers from the proper authorities. 



. All Honduraneans, both natives and naturalized foreigners, who 

 have professions, income, means of support or property ; and all natives 

 or naturalized foreigners of the age of 18 who are mai ried, and who can 

 read and write are citizens at the age of 21. 



The constitution guarantees all Honduraneans individual equality 

 and security of life and property. 



The constitution guarantees the right of habeas corpus. The privi- 

 lege of self-defense is inviolable. Torture is abolished forever. Precau- 

 tions and restrictions that are not absolutely necessary for the security 

 of prisoners are prohibited. 



The domestic hearth, correspondence (epistolary), telegraphic mes- 

 sages, private papers and books used in commerce are inviolable. 



No inhabitant shall be molested for the expression of his opinions, 

 no matter of what nature they may be, if such opinions infringe no law; 

 nor for any act that does not disturb the public peace. 



Police regulations are exercised solely by the civil authorities. 



No one may be deprived of his property except by course of law or 

 by sentence of law. Condemnation for public benefit must be certified 

 by law, or by sentence founded in law : but in no case without indemni- 

 fication. Confiscation is abolished forever. 



Each author or inventor has the sole right to his work or invention. 



No foreigner shall be entitled to more privileges than any other; but 

 all possess the same civil rights as native Honduraneans. Foreigners 

 may, in consequence, buy, sell, locate, exercise arts and professions, 

 possess all kinds of property and dispose of it in the form prescribed by 

 law; enter the country and leave it with their property, and frequent 

 with their ships the ports and navigate the rivers of the Republic. They 

 are exempt from extraordinary contributions and are guaranteed entire 

 liberty in commerce, and may construct temples and churches or estab- 

 lish cemeteries in any part of the Republic. Their marriage contracts 



