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constitution of 1836.
183

Sec. 23. They shall have power to pass all laws that are necessary to prohibit the introduction into this state of any slave or slaves, who may have committed any high crime, in any other state or territory.

Sec. 24. The general assembly shall not have power to pass any bill of divorce; but may prescribe by law the manner in which such cases shall be investigated in the courts of justice and divorces granted.

Sec. 25. The general assembly shall have power to prohibit the introduction of any slave or slaves, for the purpose of speculation, or as an article of trade or merchandise. To oblige the owner of any slave or slaves to treat them with humanity. And, in the prosecution of slaves for any crime, they shall not be deprived of an impartial jury; and any slave who shall be convicted of a capital offence, shall suffer the same degree of punishment as would be inflicted on a free white person, and no other; and courts of justice, before whom slaves shall be tried, shall assign them counsel for their defence.

Sec. 26. The governor, secretary of state, auditor, treasurer, and all the judges of the supreme, circuit and inferior courts of law and equity, and the prosecuting attorneys for the state, shall be liable to impeachment, for any malpractice or misdemeanor in office; but judgment in such cases shall not extend farther than removal from office, and disqualification to hold any office of honor, trust or profit under this state. The party impeached, whether convicted or acquitted, shall nevertheless be liable to be indicted, tried and punished, according to law.

Sec. 27. The house of representatives shall have the sole power of impeachment, and all impeachments shall be tried by the senate; and when sitting for that purpose, the senators shall be on oath or affirmation to do justice according to law and evidence. When the governor shall be tried, the chief justice of the supreme court shall preside; and no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds of all the senators elected. And for reasonable cause, which shall not be sufficient ground of impeachment, the governor shall, on