Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1830-03-05
AN AMENDED CONSTITUTION
Form of Government for Virginia.

Adopted January 18th, 1880
Whereas the Delegates and Representatives OF the
good people of Virginia in Convention assembled on
the twenty Inth day OF juno in the year of our Lord
one thousand seven hundred and seventysx reciting
and declaring, that whereas, George the third. King
of GrCa Britain and ireland, and Elector of Hanover,
before that time entrusted with the exercise of the
kingly office in the Government of Virginia, had en-
deavoured to pervert the into detestablc 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
laws OF immediate and pressing importance, unless
suspended in their operation for his assent and when
SO suspended ncglectng to attend to them for many
years; by refusing to pass certain other laws, unless
the persons to be benefited by them would relinqush
the incstimabe right Misrepresentation in the Legsla-
turc; by dissoyng legislative assemblies repeatedly
and continually, for opposing with manly frmncss
his invasons of the rights Of the people; when dis
solved, by refusing TO call others for long space of
time. thereby leaving the political system, without any
Legislative head by cndeavour,ng prevent the pop
uaton OF our country and for that purpose obstruct-
ing the laws for the naturalization of foreigners by
keeping among US. IN time of peace standing armies
and ships of war; by affecting render the military
independent of and superour to the civil power; by
combining with Others to subject us to foreign uris-
dcton, giving his to their pretended acts Of
legislation, for quarerng large bodies ofarmed troops
among u.s. for cutting oil trade with oil parts of
the would, for imposing taxes without our con-
sent tor depryng US Of the benefits of the trial by i-
ry, for transporting beyond seas to be tried for
lures and declaring themselves invested with power
to legisate for in all cases whatsoever; by plumber
ing our seas, ravagng coasts, burning our towns
and destroying the lives of our people; by melting in
surrcctions OF our fellow subjects with the allure
ments of forfeiture and coniscation; by prompting
our negroes to rise III among us, those very ne
groes, whom by an inhuman use of his neratiyc
lie had refused us permission to exclude by law;
by endcavouring to bring the inhabitants OF
our frontiers, the mercIess indian savogcs, whose
known rule of warfare is an undstinrnished des-
tructlon of all ages sexes and conditions of exist
cncc; by transporting hther large army of for.
e9n mcrcenares, to complete the work of DEATH des-
oatlon and tyranny, then already bepun with crcun-
stances of cruelty and peridy unworthy the head of
civilized nation; by answering our repeated petit
lions for redress with repetition of Injuries; md
finally, by abandoning the helm of government and
declaring out OF his oegiunce and protection. bv
which several acts Of misrule, the government Of
this country, as before exercised under the crown
oil Great Britan was totally dissolved did, the reforc
having maturely considered the premises and view
ing with great concern the deplorabIc condition, to
which this once happy country would be reduced,
unless some regular adequate mode of civil potv
should be speedily adopted, and in compliance with
The recommendation of the General Congress, ordain
ana decare,a form of government of Virginia:
And whereas the General Assembly of Viroinia
by an act passed on the tenth day of February in the
yearof our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
tWcnty-nlne entitled nm act to organize a Convon-
ton, did suthorlse and provide for the election by
the peOple, oI Delegates and Representatives., to
meet aud assemble, in General Convention at the
Capitol IN the City of Richmond, OIL the first Mon
day OF October in the year last aforesaid to congid
or, discuss and propose, Constitutions or alter
atoms and amendments ofthc existing Constitution
OF his Commonwealth, TO be submitted to the peo-
pie and to be by them ratified or reioctcd
We, therefore, the Delegates and Representatives
OF inc good people Of Virginia, elected and in Con
veDtlon assembled in pursuance of the said act Of
assembly do submit and propose = the people. the
ohowIng amended Constitution andfo of Govern
inent Tor this Commonwealth, that is to say.
u ARTICLE /.
me Declaraton Of Rights made on the 18th June
U.o, Dy the representatives Of the good people of
assembled in full and free Convention which
PERFORMED 70 them and their posterity, as tho basis
ic.uatlon OF Government; requiring in the otir-
e on % tms Convention amendment, shall be pre-
ixea 10 TINS Constitution, and have the same rela
ton thereto as had to the former CONSTITUTION or
his Commonwealth. Wv" "
ARTICLE TT.
Iho Legislative, Executive, and Judiciary Depart