Art. the 141st. Thoroughly free is the communication of thought, by words, private writings, or publications in the public papers, whatever be the subjects, without requiring any previous censure; the only responsible person is the author, or, in his stead, the printer, whenever the writing be abusive, according to the law.
Art. the 146th. All the inhabitants of the state may undertake any work, industry or commerce they like, provided they do not harm the public order or the other citizens' rights.
Art. the 147th. The entrance into the territory of the Republic is free to any one, as also his staying in it or going away with his goods, provided he respect the police laws and do not harm any third person.
The national language is the Spanish tongue. However, nearly all the languages are known in the Republic, on account of the great number of foreigners established here, and the great number of them who have continuous relations with the country.
Nearly every native who has received a fairly good instruction speaks some foreign language. In Montevideo, where continually stop boats of all nations, the practice of French, Italian, English and German is quite general.
In nearly every department in the Republic, and above all in Montevideo, exist a great many good schools belonging to the above mentioned nations.
The foreigner who treads the Uruguay soil does not miss the customs of his own country, since the ones he meets here are nearly the same as in the principal European cities.
A great many years of continuous communication with all the nations of the world has made, that the customs of all the civilized nations are quite familiar to the natives.
In the Statistical Annuary corresponding to the year 1891 the population of the Republic has been calculated thus:
Montevideo 234,688 Canelones 64,772 Colonia 39,309 Soriano 32,617 San Jose 26,528 Flores 13,737 Florida 29,078 Rocha 22,237 Maldonado 15,757 Cerro-Largo 25,741 Minas 23,466 Treinta y Tres 17,297 Salto 32,827 Artigas 17,367 Durazno 25,020 Paysandu 29,962 Rio Negro 15,970 Tacuarembo 25,166 Rivera 16,629 ------- Total 708,168
In the year 1829 the population of the Republic was 74,000 souls, and in the year 1879, 438,245.