''Sentimientos de la Nación'' ("Feelings of the Nation"; occasionally rendered as "Sentiments of the Nation") was a document presented by
José María Morelos y Pavón
José is a predominantly Spanish and Portuguese form of the given name Joseph. While spelled alike, this name is pronounced differently in each language: Spanish ; Portuguese (or ).
In French, the name ''José'', pronounced , is an old vernacu ...
, leader of the insurgents in the
Mexican War of Independence
The Mexican War of Independence ( es, Guerra de Independencia de México, links=no, 16 September 1810 – 27 September 1821) was an armed conflict and political process resulting in Mexico's independence from Spain. It was not a single, co ...
, to the
National Constituent Congress in
Chilpancingo
Chilpancingo de los Bravo (commonly shortened to Chilpancingo; ; Nahuatl: Chilpantsinko) is the capital and second-largest city of the state of Guerrero, Mexico. In 2010 it had a population of 187,251 people. The municipality has an area of in ...
(modern-day
Guerrero
Guerrero is one of the 32 states that comprise the Administrative divisions of Mexico, 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in Municipalities of Guerrero, 81 municipalities and its capital city is Chilpancingo and its largest city is Acap ...
) on 14 September 1813.
The document set out, in 23 points, Morelos's vision of the future nation of
Mexico
Mexico ( Spanish: México), officially the United Mexican States, is a country in the southern portion of North America. It is bordered to the north by the United States; to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; to the southeast by Guate ...
.
#America is free and independent of Spain and all other nations, governments, or monarchies.
#The Catholic faith is the sole religion, and no others will be tolerated.
#Ministers of religion to survive on tithes and first fruits, with the people owing only devotion and offerings.
#Dogma as established by Church hierarchy: Pope, bishops, and priests.
#Sovereignty emanates from the people and is placed in a Supreme National American Congress, made up of representatives from the provinces in equal numbers.
#Division of powers into appropriate executive, legislative, and judicial branches.
#Representatives to serve rotating four year terms.
#Adequate remuneration for representatives, not exceeding 8000 pesos.
#Jobs to be reserved for Americans only.
#No foreigners to be admitted, unless they are artisans capable of sharing their skills and free of all suspicion.
#Liberal government to replace tyranny, with the expulsion of the Spaniards.
#Laws should promote patriotism and industry, moderate opulence and idleness, and improve the lot and the education of the poor.
#Laws should apply to all, with no privileges.
#Laws to be drafted and discussed by as many wise men as possible.
#That prohibit slavery forever, as the distinction of caste, being all equal and only vice and virtue distinguish an American from the other.
#Some of the nation's ports to be open to friendly foreign ships, subject to a 10% levy.
#Homes and property to be inviolable.
#Torture shall not be permitted.
#12 December to be dedicated to the
Virgin of Guadalupe
Our Lady of Guadalupe ( es, Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe), also known as the Virgin of Guadalupe ( es, Virgen de Guadalupe), is a Catholic title of Mary, mother of Jesus associated with a series of five Marian apparitions, which are believed ...
, and celebrated.
#Foreign troops should not enter the country and, if they do so to render assistance, may not approach the seat of government.
#No expeditions beyond the nation's borders to be permitted, particularly overseas expeditions; expeditions in the interior to spread the faith are allowed.
#An end to the payment of tributes; a tax of 5% or similar light amount to be levied.
#16 September to be consecrated as the anniversary of Independence.
See also
*
Solemn Act of the Declaration of Independence of Northern America
*
History of democracy in MexicoConstitutional Elements
*
Constitutional Elements
The Constitutional Elements were a set of guidelines in the form of a draft constitution for Mexico (then still Viceroyalty of New Spain), written in April 1812, during the Mexican War of Independence by general Ignacio López Rayón, and ci ...
References
Sentiments of the Nation, or Points Outlined by Morelos for the Constitution
External links
Sentimientos de la nación, de José María Morelos. Chilpancingo, 14 de septiembre de 1813
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sentimientos de la Nacion
Mexican War of Independence
1813 in New Spain
September 1813 events
1813 documents