Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1830-03-02
AN AMENDED CONSTITUTION
Form Of Government for Hirginia.

Form Of Government for Pirginia.
Adopted January 18th, 1901
Whereas the Delegates and Representatives of the
good people of Virginia. in Convention assembled on
the rwcntyninth day of June in the year of our Lord
one thousand seven hundred and seyenty-six: recng
and declaring, that whereas. George the third. King
Of Grea Britain and Ireland, and Elector of Hanover
before that time entrusted with the exercise of the
kngiy Office in the Government of Virginia. had en-
deavoured to peFyert the same into detsstabc and
insupportable tyranny, by putting his negative on
laws the most wholesome and necessary for the pub
lie good; by denying his Governors permission to pass
lave &c immediate a.d pressing, iiupur, unless
suspendedn their operation for his assent and when
SO suspended neglectng to attend to them for many
years. by refusing pass certain other laws unless
the persons 10 be benefited by them would relnquish
elnesimable right of representation in the Legisla-
ture by dissolvng legislative assemblies repeatedly
and continually, for opposing with manly frmness
his nvasions of the rights of the peoples when dis
solved by refusing 10 call OF hers for long space of
time. thereby leaving tho polticalsystem without any
legislative head; by endeayourng prevent the pop
nlarun OF our country and for that purpose obstruct
ing the laws for the naturalization of foreigners; by
keeping among in time of peace, standing armies
and ships of by affecting to render the military
independent OF and supcriour to the civil power; by
combining with others to subject to foreign iuris-
dicion, giving his to their pretended acts of
legislation for quarerng large bodies of armed troops
among u.s. for cutting off trade with all parts of
the woild for imposing taxes without our con-
sent for deprivng Of the benefits of the trial by i-
pretended offences, for suspendIug own Legisa-
lures and declaring themselves invested with power
to legsate for US in all whatsoever by plumber
ing our ravagIng coasts burning our towns
and destroymgthc lives of our peoples by melting in
surrectons Of fellow subjects with the allure
ments OF forfeiture and confscation by prompting
our negroes to rise in arms among US, those very ne.
groes, whom by an inhuman use of his negative
he had refused US permission to exclude by law;
by endeavouring to bring on the inhabitants OF
our frontiers the merciess indian sayares whose
known rule Of warfare is an undstinpuished des-
trucion OF all ages, sexes md conditions of exist
ence; by transporting hither a large army Of for
eIgn mercenares, to complete the work of death des
olation and tyranny, then already begun with crcum-
stances OF cruelty and perdy unworthy the head OF
civilized nation; by answering repeated petit
lions Tor redress with repetition Of injuries; and
finally, by abandoning the helm of government, and
declaring Us out OF his allegiance and protection: by
which several acts of misrule, the government Of
this country, as before exercised under the crown
OF Great Britain, was totally dissolved did, therefore,
having maturely considered the premises and view
tlDg with great concern the deplorable condition. TO
which this once happy country would be reduced
unless some regular adequate mode of civil poty
snouid be speedily adopted. and in compliance with
Che recommendation OF the General Congress- orlain
and declare, form Of government of Virpiuio:
Ana whereas the General Assembly Of Virrinia,
py an act passed on the tonth day Of February in the
ycaIoi cur Lord ono thousand eight hundred and
twenty-nine, entitled, act TO or0auize C,ouven
ton, did authorize and provide for the election bv
the people Of Delegates and Representatives. 10
meet ana assemble, IN General Convention, at the
Iaptol N the City Of Richmond, on the frs, Mon
Day OF October in the year last aforesaid 70 consd
ei ascuss and propose, Constitution or alter
otions ana amendments ofthc existing Constitution
OF TINS commonwealth, to be submitted 10 tho neo
PIE ana TO pc by them ratified or rejected:
we, therefore,, the Delegates and Representatives
OF tne good people OF Virginia, elected and in Con-
!ention assembled in pursuance Of tho said act of
assembly do submit and propose to the people. the
following amended Constitution, and form of Govern
''''N' TOT 'h's commonwealth, that is to say:
| ARTICLE T.
80 NC declaration OF Rights made on the 10Th June.
vtlo, oy INC representatives, Of the good people of
virginia, assembled in full and free Convention. Which
pertsned to them and their postoritv. a. The basis
anu 'S'has,on OF tovernmeDt requiring in the opin-
,on OF Iiis Convention no amendment Shall be orc
.ixcn 20 TINS Constitution, and have the same rea
ION 5nereto as had to the former Constitution of
his Commonwealth. ' f"o'' VI
~ ARTICLE IT.
The Legislative Executive, and Iudieiorv ps,,,,-