Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1830-02-16
AN AMENDED CONSTITUTION
Form Of Government for YGrginia.

Adopted January 18th, 1891
Whereas the Delegates and Representatives of the
good people of Virginia, in Convention assembled on
the twentyninh day of June in the year of our Lord
one thousand seven hundred and seveny-six recitinr
and declaring, that whereas George the third, King
OF Great Britain and Ireland, and Elector of Hanover
before that time entrusted with the exercise of the
kngly Office in the Government of Virginia had en-
deavoured to pervert the into detestablc and
nsupportable 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
suspendedn their operation for his assent, and when
50 suspended negecting to attend to them for many
years; by refusing pass certain other laws unless
the persons to be benefited by them would rcnquish
heinestmabe right Misrepresentation in the Legis!a-
ture; by dissoving legislative assemblies repeatedly
and continually, for opposing with manly irmness
his invaslons 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 endeavourng prevent the pop
uatlon of our country and for that purpose obstruct
ing the laws for the naturalization Of foreigners; by
keeping among us, i'll time of peace standing armies
and ships Of by affecting to render the military
independent Of and superour the civil power; by
combining with others to subject us to foreign uris-
dlctlon, giving his assent to their pretended acts Of
Legislation, for quartering large bodies ofarmed troops
among us, for cutting oft trade with all parts of
the world, for imposing taxes without our con-
SENT for depryng of the benefits Of the trial by il-
ny, for transporting beyond seas to be tried for
lures and declaring themselves invested with power
to legisate for US in all wha tsoever By plumber
ing our SEAS rava9ng orr coasts burning our towns
ana destroying the lives OF our peoples by melting in.
surrections Of fellow subjects with the allure
ments of forfeiture and confiscation; by prompting
our negroes to rise IN arms among those very ne
grocs, whom by an nhuman use of his negative
ne had refused us permission to exclude by law;
by endeavouring to bring on the inhabitants of
our frontiers, the mcrcilcss indian savages whose
known rule of warfare Is FL undistinguished dcs
truction OF all ages, sexes n DCOndions Of exist
cnccj ny trunspnr,sriS hlther large army Of for
elGn mercenares to complete the work of DEATH des-
oatlon and tyranny, then already begun with circum
stances OF cruelty and perldy unworthy the head of
Il civilized nation; by answering our repeated petit
tons Tor redress with repetition Of injuries; and
Hnahy, by abandoning the helm of government, and
declaring us out OF his allegiance and projections 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 maturcly considered the premises, and view
ing with great concern the deplorable condition, to
which this once happy country would be reduced.
unless some regular adequate mode of civil polity
should be speedily adopted, and in compliance with
thc recommendation oithe General Congress, ordain
and declare. form Of government Of Virpinia
And whereas the General Assembly of Virrnia
ny an act passed the tenth day of February I'm the
yearof our Lord ono thousand eight hundred and
t"enty-nlnc, entitled, an act to organize Conven-
ton, did authorize and provide for The elecfion bv
the people, Of Delegates and Representative. 10
meet and assemble in General Convention, al the
Capitol IN the City Of Richmond on the first Mon
day or october IN tic year last aforesaid to consd-
or, discuss and propose, new Constitution or alter
ATOMS and amendments ofthc existing Constitution
OF tins Commonwealth, to be submitted 10 tho pco-
pic and to be by tbcm ratified or rejected.
we, therefore, the Delegates and Representatives
OF the good people Of Virginia elected and in Con.
vchton assembled, - pursuance Of tho said net of
Assembly DO submit and propose to the people. the
following amended Constitution, and form of Govern
mont Tot hs commonwealth, that is TO say;
AeTIcLE l.
Inc Declaration OF Rights made on The f2th June
i776, by The representatives of the GOOD pcope of
Virginia, assembled in full and free Convention which
Pcriamed TO them mud their posteritv. as the basis
md foundation Of Governments rcuuirino in the onin
e co" OF uniS Convention no amendment, shall be pre-
',Ncd to this Constitution, and have the same rola
'Ion thereto as it bad TO tho former Constitution of
his Commonwealth.
ARTICLE IT,
The Legislative, Executive, and Judiciary Depnrt
hents shall be separate and distinct 20 that neither
exercise the powers properly belonging 10 either OIL