senator; San Patricio, Refugio and Goliad one; Brazoria, one; Mina and Gonzales, one; Nacogdoches, one; Red River, one; Shel- by and Sabine, one; Washington, one; Matagorda, Jackson and Victoria, one; Austin and Colorado, one; San Augustine, one; Milam, one; Jasper and Jefferson, one; Liberty and Harrisburg one senator. SEC. 8. All judges, sheriffs, commissaries and other civil officers, shall remain in office and in the discharge of the powers and duties of their respective offices, until there shall be others appointed or ele<!ted under the constitution. The declaration of rights hereunto annexed, is declared to be a part of the constitution of the republic, and shall never be vio- lated on any pretence whatever. And in order to guard against transgressions of the high powers which we have delegated, we de- clare, that every thing in the bill of rights contained, and every other right, not hereby delegated, are reserved to the people. DECLARATION OF RIGHTS. SEC. 1. That all men, when they form a social compact, are equal in rights; and that no man or set of men, are entitled to exclusive public privileges or emoluments from the community. SEC. 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 they have at all times an undeniable right to alter their form of government in such manner as they may think expedient. SEQ. 3. No preference shall be given by law to any christian sect. or mode of worship, and every person shall be permitted to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of his own con- science. SEC. 4. Every citizen may freely speak, write and publish his own sentiments on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of the same. SEC. 5. No law shall ever be passed to curtail the liberty of speech or the pres!;. In all prosecutions for libels, the truth may be given in evidence, and the jury shall have the right to de- termine the Ia,v and the fact, under the direction of the court. SEC. 6. 'rhe people shall be secure in their person, houses, papers and possessions, from any unreasonable search ·or seizures; and no warrant to search any place or to seize on any person or things, shall issue, without describing them as nearly as may be, nor without probable cause, supported by oath or !lffirmation. SF.c. 7. In all criminal prosecutions the accused shall be heard by himself and counsel; to demand the nature of the cause of the ac-
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