The 15th section being under consideration, Mr..Maverick moved to stl'ike out the whole of the section. And the question being taken thereon, i~ was decided in the nega- tive. On motion of .Mr. Husk, the rule was so far suspended as to au- thorise the house to take up the following preamble and resolu- tion. Where,1s, the late provincial government of Texas has ceased from the <•xerci:;e of its .functions, and whereas, the power of ex- tending pardon to persons convicted of crime, was by the late con- n,ntion, vested in the governor and council, th!J two co-ordinate branches of that government: and whereas, this convention is ex- p1·essly vested by the terms of their election, with plenary power, touching the well-being of Texas: and whereas, the power of con- ferring relief, from the severity and extreme rigor of the la,v, in peculiar cases, is an important, and sometimes a deeply interesting function of government, which should never be permitted to lapse into nonentity, or which is fully equivalent to revert to the people, the source of all power, who are incapable of the specific exercise of any; therefore, be it, and it is hereby Resolved, That the power of granting pardon or reprieve, in all cases of judicial conviction of crime, resides in this convention, end may be rightfully exercised by them. . On motion of :Mr. Rusk, that the papers of John M. Smith ap.d ochers, be ref~rrnd to a select committee of five, with leave to re- port upon the same; ,vhereupon, the President appointed :Messrs. Rusk, Childress, Uonrad, Barnett, of Washington and Waller. On motion of Mr. Zavala, J:es1Jlt-ed, That an interpreter be appointed by the convention, charged with the duty of translating into the Spanish language the comtiiution and laws of the republic of Texas; And the question being taken thereon, it was decided in the af- firmative. Mr. Hnsk presented the petition of Col. :Morgan; which was re- c,~ivecl and referred to a select committee of three; And the question being taken thereon, it was decided in the affirmativc>: WJ1ereupon the President appointed Messrs. Rusk, Carson and Hardeman sairl committee. On motion of Mr. Barnett, of Washington, Resol1:ed, '!'hat the committee on military affairs be inst.n1eted to draw up imd to report to this convention, a commission fo: Joseph 'f. Dennett, captain of a volunteer company, now at this place; and that he, the eaid Bennett, be authori1.ed to draw upon the gov- ernment for all sums necessary to provision his company on their march, to whatever point they may be ordered;
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