Wheeling compiler. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [i.e. W. Va.]) 1829-1831, 1830-01-27
AN AMENDED CONSTITUTION.
o. Form Of Government for Virginia.
[Adnnted 18th january, 1901

Adopted 18th January, 1880.
Whereas the Delegates and Represen.
I tativcs of the good people Of Virginia in
| Convention assembled, on the twenty-ninth
Iday Of June, in the year Of our Lord one
thousand seven hundred and seventy-six:
1 Rcclting and declaring, that whereas,
I George the third, King Of Great Britain
and Ireland and Elector Of Hanover, be-
( fore that time entrusted with the exercise
of the kingly office in the Government of
I Virginia, had endeavored to peryert the
same into a detestable and insupportable
tyranny, By putting his negative on laws
( the most wholesome and necessary for the
public good; by denying his governors per
mission to pass laws Of immediate and
pressing Importance, unless suspended in
their operation fer his assent, and when so
suspended neglecting to attend to them for
many years; by refusing TO pass certain
other laws, unless the persons to be bene-
/ fitted by them would reGUquish the inestl-
mable right representation m the Legs
llaure; by dissOlving legislative assemblies
repeatedly and continually, for opposing
with manly firmness his myasIons OF the
rights Of the people; when dissolved, by
refusing 20 call others for a loag space of
tune, thereby leaving the political system
without any legislative head; by endeavor-
mo 10 prevent tine population OF our coun-
try, and for that purpose oostructtng the
laws for the naturalization ct foreigners;
Sv keeping among us, ia time of peace,
standing armies uad ships of war; BY al
ccunq TO render DE military independent
Of and superior 90 the civil power; by
combining with others 10 subject Us to
foreign jurisdiction, giving his assent TO
,belr pretended acts Of legislation, for
ouartering large bodies Of armed troops
amoagus, for cutting off our trade with all
,sr.s of the world, for impo g 'aXes on
rs without our consent. for Ga0rvog us OF
7 the benefits of the trial By jay, Tor trans
porting us beyond seas TO be tined for pre-
tended offences. for suspendCg our own
/ LEGISLATURES aud declaring themselves IN
( vested with rover 10 leE slate for us IN all
cases wbatso2yer: by P'laderlng our seas,
ravaging our coasts, burning our towns,
and destroying the lives Of our people; by
I incling instructions ofour fellow subjects
with the allurements Of forfeiture and con-
7 iscadou; byprompting our negroes to rise
/ IN arms among US, those very negroes,
whom by an lahuman use OF his negative
I ne had refused US permission 10 exclude by
law: BY endelyorng to bring on the iohabl-
ltants of our frontiers, the merclless Iodlan
/ savages, whose known rule Of warfare Is
Ian undlstinguished destruction of all ages,
! sexes and conditions Of existence; by trans
porting hitherto a large army Of foreign
uercenaries, to complete the work OF death,
} dosolation and tyranny, then already be
gun with circumstances Of cruelty and
5erfdy unworthy the head Of civilized
nation; by answering our repeated petitions
| for redress with a repetition Of injuries; and
i finally, by abandonmg the helm of govern
ment, and declaring rs out of his allegiance
and protection: bv which several acts OF
misfuje, the government Of this country,
! az before exercised under the Crown of
( Great Britain, was totally dissolved: did.
therefore, having maturely considered the
/ premises, and viewing with great concern
he deplorable condition, TO which this once
happy country would be reduced, unless
some regular adequate mode of civil poity
should be speedily adopted, and in com.
phance with the recommendation of the
| General Congress-, ordain and declare, a
form of government of Virginia.
And whereas the General Assembly Of
| Virginia, by an act passed on the tenth
| day of February, IN the year of our Lord
one thousand eight hundred and twenty
inine. entitled an actto o'gau!ze a Conv"n-
ton. did authorize and provide for tie
election, by the people, of Delegates and
f. Representatives. to meet and assemble, IN
general Convention, at the tapl'o IN the
lc,y of Richmond, on the first Monday of
/ October 30 the year last aiorese'a. o. con-
sider, discuss and propose. p-v Constr
luton or alterations and amendments Of
the existing Constitution Of ,Hs Cormou-
wealth. to be submitted Go ,5e people and
To- be by them ratified or rejected:
/ We, therefore, the Delegates aud Re-
representatives. of the good people Of VT-
| rnia, elected and in Convention assem-
| 5led, n pursuance ofthe ssid act Of Assem-
| bly,, DO submit and propose to The people
he following amended Constitution and
/ Form of Government for this Common
wealth, that IS to say:
ARTICLE /.
The Declaration of Rights made on the
I 18th June, IT6, by the representatives of
the GOOD DeoDla Of Virrini, assembled IN