Page:Mexico (1829) Volumes 1 and 2.djvu/257

 MEXICO. 219 of State, or the Supreme Court of Justice, in cases of a more private, and individual character. (Article 110.) The restrictions upon the powers of the President are the following : — 1. He cannot take the command of the forces in person, without the consent of the Congress, or of a majority of two- thirds in the Council of State. When thus employed, the Vice-President takes charge of the Government. 2. He cannot deprive any one of liberty ; but in cases where the interest of the Federation requires it, he may arrest any individual, placing him, within a term of forty-eight hours, at the disposal of the competent tribunal. 3. He cannot seize or embargo the property of any individual, or corporation, unless in virtue of a decree of the Congress. 4. He cannot in any way impede or interfere with the elections. 5. Neither the President, nor the Vice-President, can quit the territories of the Republic, without the permission of the Congress, during the term of their service, and for one year after it has expired. (Article 112.) The Council of Government or State, exists only during the intervals between the sessions of the Congress, and is com- posed of one half of the Senate, or one Senator from each State, with the Vice-President of the Republic at its head. (Articles 113, 114, 115.) Its principal duties are : — To watch over the observance of the Federal Act, and general laws of the Union. To make such observations to the President as it may deem conducive to their better execution. To convoke, by its own act, or at the suggestion of the President, the Congress, in an extraordinary session, for which, however, in both cases, the concurrence of two-thirds of the Members of the Council is required.