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, leader of the insurgents in the Mexican War of Independence

Mexican War of Independence

The Mexican War of Independence was an armed conflict between the people of Mexico and the Spanish colonial authorities which started on 16 September 1810. The movement, which became known as the Mexican War of Independence, was led by Mexican-born Spaniards, Mestizos and Amerindians who sought...

, to the National Constituent Congress

Congress of Chilpancingo

The Congress of Chilpancingo was a meeting held in Chilpancingo, in what is the modern-day Mexican state of Guerrero, from September to November 1813. The result of this meeting was that Mexico formally declared itself to be independent of Spain and what was later to become the first national...

 in Chilpancingo

Chilpancingo

Chilpancingo de los Bravo is the capital and second-largest city of the state of Guerrero, Mexico. It is located at . In the 2005 census the population of the city was 166,796. Its surrounding municipality, of which it is municipal seat, had a population of 214,219 persons...

 (modern-day Guerrero

Guerrero

Guerrero officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Guerrero is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 81 municipalities and its capital city is Chilpancingo....

) on 14 September 1813.

The document set out, in 23 points, Morelos's vision of the future nation of Mexico

Mexico

The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...

.

1. "America is free and independent of Spain and all other nations, governments, or monarchies."
2. The Catholic faith is the sole religion, and no others will be tolerated.
3. Ministers of religion to survive on tithes and first fruits, with the people owing only devotion and offerings.
4. Dogma as established by Church hierarchy: Pope, bishops, and priests.
5. Sovereignty emanates from the people and is placed in a Supreme National American Congress, made up of representatives from the provinces in equal numbers.
6. Division of powers into appropriate executive, legislative, and judicial branches.
7. Representatives to serve rotating four year terms.
8. Adequate remuneration for representatives, not exceeding 8000 pesos.
9. Jobs to be reserved for Americans only.
10. No foreigners to be admitted, unless they are artisans capable of sharing their skills and free of all suspicion.
11. Liberal government to replace tyranny, with the expulsion of the Spaniards.
12. Laws should promote patriotism and industry, moderate opulence and idleness, and improve the lot and the education of the poor.
13. Laws should apply to all, with no privileges.
14. Laws to be drafted and discussed by as many wise men as possible.
15. That prohibit slavery forever, as the distinction of caste, being all equal and only vice and virtue distinguish an American from the other.
16. Some of the nation's ports to be open to friendly foreign ships, subject to a 10% levy.
17. Homes and property to be inviolable.
18. Torture shall not be permitted.
19. 12 December to be dedicated to the Virgin of Guadalupe, and celebrated.
20. Foreign troops should not enter the country and, if they do so to render assistance, may not approach the seat of government.
21. No expeditions beyond the nation's borders to be permitted, particularly overseas expeditions; expeditions in the interior to spread the faith are allowed.
22. An end to the payment of tributes; a tax of 5% or similar light amount to be levied.
23. 16 September to be consecrated as the anniversary of Independence.

External links

• Sentimientos de la nación, de José María Morelos. Chilpancingo, 14 de septiembre de 1813