Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1830-02-09
AN AMENDED CONSTITUTION
Form of Government for Pire;uio.

Adopted January Ii,b, 1880
WheTeasthe Delegates and Representatives OF the
good people OF Virginia in Convention assembled on
the twen,ynnh day of June in the year of our Lord
che Thousand seven hundred and seventy-sx: rectino
and declaring, that whereas, George the third King
OF Grea Britain aud ireland, and Eiccior Of Hanover
before that time entrusted with the exercise of the
kngly Office in the Government OF Virginia, had en-
deavoufed to perver the same into detsstablc end
lnsupportabe tyranny, by putting his negative on
laws the most Wholesome and necessary for the pub
lie goods by denying his Gov permission TO pass
laws of immediate and pressing Importance unless
suspendedln their operation for his assent and hen
50 suspended neglecting 20 attend them for many
years. by refusing to pass certain other laws unless
the persons 10 be benefited by them would reinquish
the incstimabe right of representation in the I.egsa-
ture; by disso!viDg Legislative assemblies repeatedly
and continually, for opposing with manly firmness
his lnvasons OF the lights 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 endeavouring TO prevent the non
uaIon OF our country, and for that purpose ohs,ruct
ing the laws for the naturalization of foreigners by
Keeping among us, IN time Of peace, standing armies
and shpsof war; by affecting TO render the military
independent Of and superiour to the civil power by
combining with others to subject foreign juris
dicton giving his assent to their pretended acts of
legislation for quartering large bodies ofarmed troops
among u.s. for cutting off trade with ell parts of
the world, for Imposing taxes without our con-
sent for depriyns OF the benefits OF the trial BIZ u
ry Tor transporting US beyond to be tried for
lures ond declaring themselves Invested with power
olegisa;e for in all cases whatsoever by pltinder
ing our seas vaging our coasts burning our towns
and destroying the ives OF our people; by melting in
snrrcctions of fellow subjects with the allure
ments of forfeiture and confiscaion; by prompting
our negroes to rise IN arms among U.s. those very ne
groes, whom by inhnman use of his negative
ne had refused US permission to exclude by Law;
by endeavouriDg to bring on the inhabitants of
our frontiers. the merciiess indian savages whose
known rule of warfare is undisinguishcJ des-
truction OF all ages, and conditions OF exist
ence; by transporting bither large army of for.
egn nercenar'es, to complete the work ofdeath, dcs
oation and tyranny, then already begun with circum
stances OF cruelty and perdy unworthy the head of
civilized nation; by answering repeated petit.
lions Tor redress with repetition OF Injuries; and
IhaNy, by abandoning tho helm of government and
declaring us out OF his allegiance and projections by
winch several acts OF mIsru e, the government Of
TINS country, as before exercised under the crown
OF Great Britain, was totally dissoved did, the refore
having matureiy considered the premises and view
ing with great concern the deplorable Coalition 10
which this once happy country would be reduced
unless some regular adequate mode of civil Doy
Should be speedily adopted, and in compliance with
the recommendation OF the General Congress- ordan
anu declare n form Of government Of Virginia:
Aud whereas the General Assembly of Virrinia.
by on act passed the tenth day of February IN the
yearof our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
twenty-nIne, entitled act to organize Conven-
ton, did authorize and provide for the election bv
the people, OF Delegates and Representative. 10 |
meet aud assemble, in Gene al Convention at the |
Capitol in the City of Richmond, on the first Mon.
day OF October in the year last aforesaid to consid
err discuss and propose, new Constitution or alter
atoms and amendments ofthe existing Constitution
OF THIS commonwealth to be submitted TO the pco-
pie and 10 be by them ratified or reected
We therefore, the Delegates and Representatives
OF the good people Of Virginia, elected and in Con
vchtIon assembled in pursuance Of the said act Of
Assembly, do submit and propose 10 the people the
Ioow.ng amended Constitution, and form Of Govern
meht Tor tins Commonwealth, that is to sly:
ARTICLE I.
The Declaration Of Rights made on the Istl June.
l570, by The representatives. Of the good people of
VIrgn", assembled IN full and free Convention, which
pcrtained to them and their posterty as The basis
and foundation Of Governmcnt requiring in the opin-
on OF tins Convention no amendment, shall be pre-
liked to this Constitution, and have the Same rels
non thereto as it had TO the former Constitution Of
his Commonwealth.
ARTICLE III.
Inc Legislative, Executive, and Judiciary Denayt
neh's shan be separate and distinct, SO that neither
'NercSo the powers properly belonging to either of