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276
Constitutional History of France.

Title III.
Of the Public Powers.

Article1.The sovereignty is one, indivisible, inalienable, and imprescriptible; it belongs to the nation; no individual, no fraction of the people can claim the right to exercise it.

Art2.The nation, from which emanate all powers, can only exercise them by delegation. The French Constitution is representative; the representatives are the Legislative Body and the King.

Art3.The legislative power is delegated to one National Assembly, composed of temporary representatives, freely elected by the people, in order to be exercised by it, with the sanction of the King, in the manner which shall be determined hereafter.

Art4.The government is monarchical; the executive power is delegated to the King, in order to be exercised, under his authority, by ministers and other responsible agents, in the manner which shall be determined by law.

Art5.The judiciary power is delegated to judges elected at stated times by the people.

Chapter I.
Of the National Legislative Assembly.

Article1.The National Assembly, forming the Legislative Body, is permanent, and is only composed of one chamber.

Art2.It shall be formed every two years by new elections. Each period of two years shall constitute a legislature.

Art3.The provisions of the preceding article shall not be operative in respect to the next Legislative Body, whose powers shall cease the last day of April, 1793.

Art4.The Legislative Body, on its renewal, shall assume full authority.

Art5.The Legislative Body can not be dissolved by the King.

Section I.
Number of Representatives.—Basis of Representation.

Article1.The Legislative Body shall consist of 745 representatives, to be apportioned among the eighty-three departments of which the kingdom is composed, and independent of those who may be accorded to the colonies.