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

Adopted January lith, 1880
Whereas the Delegates and Representatives of the
good people of Virginia in Convention assembled, on
the twenynnth day of June in the year of our Lord
one thousand seven hundred and scventy-sx: rectinr
and declaring, thai whereas, George the third, King
OF Grca Britain aud 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 pcrver the same into detestablc and
nsupportable tyranny, 10y putting his negative OH
laws the most wholesome and necessary for the pub
lie good by denying his Governors permission pass
laws of immediate and pressing Importance unless
suspendedin their operation for his assent and when
suspended neglccting to attend 10 them for many
years; by refusing to pass certain other laws unless
the persons TO be benefited by them would relinqush
the ncstmabe right Of representation in the Legisn-
ture; by dssolvng Legislative assemblies repeatedly
and continually, for opposing with manly frmness
his nvasions of the rights Of the people; when dis
solved by refusing to call others for long space of
mc, thereby leaving the political system without any
Legislative head by endcavourng prevent pop
uaton of country and for that purpose obstruct
ing the laws for the naturalization Of foreigners; by
keeping among U.S. in time of peace, standing armies
and ships of war; by affecting to render the military
independent of and superiour to the civil power by
combining with others to subject to foreign juris-
dicton, giving his assent to their pretended of
Legislation, for quarterng large bodies ofarmed troops
among u.s. for cutting off trade with all parts of
the world, for imposing taxes on without con-
sent for deprvng of the benefits of the trial by iu-
ry, for transporting us beyond to be tried for
pretended offences, for suspendlng our own Legisa-
lures and declaring themselves invested with power
to egisate for Us all what soever by plumber
ing seas, ravagng coasts. burning our towns
and destroying the lives of our people; by melting in
surrcctions of fellow subjects with the allure
ments of forfeiture and confiscation by prompting
our negroes to rise in among US, those very ne
groes, whom by an Inhuman Of his negative
he had refused us permission to exclude by law;
by endeavourDg to bring on the inhabitants OF
frontiers, the mercilcss indian savages whose
Yiiln Of arf, J,at;n -
truction Of all ages, md conditions Of exist
cnce; by transporting hither n large army of for.
elgn mercenares to complete the work Of DEATH des-
oation and tyranny, then already begun with cicum-
stances OF cruelty and per6dy unworthy the head OF
civilized nation; by answering our repeated petit
tons for redress with a repetition Of niuries and
finally, 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
oil Great Britain, was totally dissolved did, the refore
having maturely considered the premises and view
ing with great concern the deplorabe 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
the recommendation Of the General Congress- ordain
and declare. form of government of Virginia:
And whereas the General Assembly of Virginia,
by an act passed the tenth day Of February in the
year OF our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
twenty nine, entitled, act to organize Conyen-
ton, did authorize and provide for the election BY
the people, oI Delegates and Representatives, to
meet aud assemble, in Genc,al Convention. nj the
Capitol in the City of Richmond on the first Mon
day OF October IN the year last aforesaid to consd
er, discuss and propose, Constitutions or alter
atoms and amendments oftbc existing Constitution
Of this Commonwealth, to be submitted 10 tho MOO
pie and to be by them ratified or rejected:
We, therefore, the Delegates and Representatives
ofthe good people of Virginia, elected and in Con-
venton assembled, in pursuance Of the said act Of
Assembly do submit and propose to The people, the
following amended Constitution, and f5fn Of Govern
inent Tor this Commonwealth, that is to say.
ARTICLE j.
The Declaration Of Rights made on the 18th Jbne.
vUIo,oy The representatives. Of the good people of
virginia assembled in full and free Convention, which
peLtaned 70 them and their posterity as the basis
anu FOUNDATION OF Government requiring in the opin-
on OF thus Convention no amendment shall be IRE.
nxeu 70 TINS Constitution, and have the same roa-
uon thereto as il had to the former Constitution of
his Commonwealth. "
va, ARTICLE III.
The Legislative, Executive, sud Judiciary Dena,..