At the National Convention a dispute arose between the majority tense and the minority liberal conservative party of Castile. The most notable of the tribunes was José Gálvez Egúsquiza liberal.The Convention, in addition to functioning as a constituent assembly, the legislative power exercised in its entirety, dictating laws permanent and circumstances. Finally, after much debate, in October 1856 was completed to discuss the new Constitution, which was to replace the Conservative Constitution of 1839.
The Constitution of 1856, a liberal, limited the powers of the executive, setting the vacancy of the Presidency of the Republic by attacking the form of government or dissolve the Congress. Established that the presidential term would last four years and six years as in the previous Constitution, created the Council of Ministers abolished the personal privileges, abolished the death penalty established direct popular suffrage for all Peruvians who could read and write; restored the Departmental Boards and Municipalities. The Liberals failed to secure the freedom of religion and the state continued to protect the Catholic religion, not allowing the exercise of other religions, but removed the links and ecclesiastical jurisdictions, as well as tithes and offerings.
Castilla President swore this Constitution was promulgated on October 19, 1856, but expressed dissatisfaction with it, especially by decreasing the powers of the president, the situation of increasing tension between the Government and Congress.The Convention was dissolved on November 2, 1857 by a patrol of soldiers commanded by Colonel Paul Arguedas, while Castile was engaged in the siege of Arequipa, in the context of the civil war exploded last year. While Castilla condemned this act, it was clear that this situation suited him so well that once he returned to Lima that parliament is not restored.