THE DEBATES AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION 1976 1 OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN, Convened at the City of Lansing, Wednesday, May 15th, 1867. Je 3.27.43 CONSTITUTIONS OF MICHIGAN. CONSTITUTION OF 1835. CONSTITUTION OF 1850. CONSTITUTION OF 1867. [For amendments see notes.] In Convention, begun at the city of Detroit, on the second Monday of May, in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty-five: We, the people of the territory of Michigan, as established by the act of Congress of the eleventh day of January, in the year one thousand eight hundred and five, in conformity to the fifth article of the ordinance providing for the government of the territory of the United States north-west of the river Ohio, believing that the time has arrived when our present political condition ought to cease, and the right of self-government be asserted; and availing ourselves of that provision of the aforesaid ordinance of the Congress of the United States, of the thirteenth day of July, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-seven, and the acts of Congress passed in accordance therewith, which entitles us to admission into the Union, upon a condition which has been fulfilled, do, by our delegates in Convention assembled, mutually agree to form ourselves into a free and independent State, by the style and title of "The State of Michigan," and do ordain and establish the following Constitution for the government of the same: ARTICLE I. BOUNDARIES. The State of Michigan consists of and has jurisdiction over the territory embraced within the following boundaries to-wit: Commencing at a point on the eastern boundary line of the State of Indiana, where a direct line drawn from the southern extremity of Lake Michigan to the most northerly cape of the Maumee Bay, shall intersect the same said point being the north-west corner of the State of Ohio, as established by act of Congress entitled "an act to establish the northerly boundary line of the State of Ohio, and to provide for the admission of the State of Michigan into the Union upon the conditions therein expressed," approved June fifteenth, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-six; thence with the said boundary line of the ARTICLE I. BOUNDARIES AND SEAT OF GOVERNMENT, SECTION 1. The State of Michigan is bounded as follows, to-wit: Commencing at a point on the eastern boundary line of the State of Indiana, where a direct line drawn from the southern extremity of Lake Michigan to the most northerly cape of the Maumee Bay, shall intersect the same, said point being the north-west corner of the State of Ohio, as established by an act of Congress entitled, "An act to establish the northern boundary line of the State of Ohio, and to provide for the admission of the State of Michigan into the Union. upon the conditions therein expressed, approved June fifteenth, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-six; thence with the said boundary line of the State of Ohio till it intersects the boundary line between the United States and 1. All political power is inherent in the people. 2. Government is instituted for the protection, security and benefit of the people; and they have the right at all times to alter or reform the same, and to abolish one form of government and establish another, whenever the public good requires it. 3. No man or set of men are entitled to exclusive or separate privileges. 4. Every person has a right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of his own conscience; and no person can of right be compelled to attend, erect or support, against his will, any place of religious worship, or pay any tithes, taxes or other rates, for the support of any minister of the gospel or teacher of religion. 5. No money shall be drawn from the treasury for the benefit of religious societies, or theological or religious seminaries. State of Ohio, till it intersects the Canada, in Lake Erie; thence with the ARTICLE II. SEAT OF GOVERNMENT. SECTION 1. The seat of government shall be in Lansing, where it is now established. [See Art. IV, Sec. 39.] [See Art. IV, Sec. 40.1 to the north-east corner thereof; and thence south with the eastern boundary line of Indiana to the place of beginning. Sec. 2. The seat of government shall remain at Lansing. ARTICLE II. BILL OF RIGHTS. SECTION 1. All political power is inherent in the people. Government is instituted for the protection, security and benefit of the people; and they have the right to alter or reform the same whenever the public good may require it. Sec. 2. Every person shall be at liberty to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience. No person shall be compelled to attend, erect or support any place of religious worship, or pay tithes, taxes or other rates, for the support of any minister of the gospel, or teacher of religion. [See Art. V, Sec. 31.] |