CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC, 341 
enforced by Valencia and Lombard ini in the Capital, and Santa Anna 
himself, at Vera Cruz. Its causes were various and indefinite ; — but the 
chief matters of popular discontent, viz., the consumption duty of 15 per 
cent., and the Constitution of '36, were entirely beyond the control of the 
existing administration. The "jPromiwaawiien/os" of the Generals were suc- 
ceeded by a month's contest in the streets of Mexico ; a bombardment of 
the Capital ; some harmless conflicts between the rival troops on the adja- 
cent plainsj-^and the drama was ended by the downfall of Bustamante, the 
elevation of Santa Anna to the Provisional Presidency, and the " Plan of 
Tacubaya," (as a substitute for the Constitution,) by the seventh article of 
which, he was invested with dictatorial powers. 
It was provided by this Plan, that a Congress should assemble in 1842, 
to form a new Constitution for the government of the Republic ; and, 
accordingly, in June of that year, a corps of patriotic citizens, chosen iy 
the peopIe,.met for that purpose in the Capital. This Congress was greeted 
by the Provisional President, in a speech, strongly declaring his par- 
tiality for a firm and central Government, but intimating, nevertheless, his 
entire disposition to acquiesce in the final decision of that intelligent body. 
Yet, in December of last year, after two attempts to form a system that 
would accommodate the wishes of the country and the administration, — 
the Provisional President, (in spite of the frank disclosure of his intention 
to submit to the popular will,) dissolved the Congress without authority, 
and convened a Junta of Notables for the purpose of proposing a new 
Constitution. The result of the deliberations of that body were, the 
"Bases of. Political Organization of the Mexican Republic,"* pro- 
claimed on the 13th of June, 1843. 
By the first Title of this Instrument, it is declared that Mexico adopts 
the form of a Popular Representative system for its government ; that the 
territory shall be divided into Departments ; that the political power essen- 
tially resides in the Nation, and that the Holy Roman Catholic and Apos- 
tolic creed is professed and protected to the exclusion of all others. 
The second Title declares that slavery is not to be permitted ; — that 
no one is to be molested for his opinions, or called on for contributions, 
except such as are regularly imposed by law. 
The third Title specifies who are Mexican citizens, their rights and 
obligations. Citizens are — all who are born within the Mexican territory, 
or beyond it, of a Mexican father ; — all who were in Mexico in 1821, 
and have not renounced their allegiance ; — all who were natives of Cen- 
tral America when it belonged to the Mexican nation, and since then have 
continued to reside in Mexico ; — and, lastly, all who have obtained or shall 
obtain letters of naturalization. 
In order to enjoy fully the rights of Mexican citizenship, (in voting,) the 
following qua ifications are required. Being Mexicans, they must be 
eighteen years of age and married, or twenty-one years, if not married ; 
and they must enjoy an annual income .of at least two hundred dollars, 
* This is the title of ihe system. It is not called a Constitution. 
