Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-08-22
CONSTITUTION OF VIRGINIA.

Whereas the Delegates and Representatives of the good
people Virginia. in Convention assembled on the twenty
ninth day of June in the year OF Lord one thousand
seven hundred and seventy recng and declaring ina
whereas George the Thrt, king OF Great Britain and Ire
nnd and eecto Hanover before that time entrusted win
the exercise of the kn9y office in the government OF VIZ
gnia, had endeavored pevc the same into deestaole
and nsupportabe tyranny by putting his negative on laws
the wholesome and necessary for the public good by
denying his governors permission pass laws Of Immediate
and pressing importance unless suspended in e operation
for his and when suspended negccng to attend ~
them for many years; by refusing pass certain other laws
unless the persons be benefited by them would enqu
the inesmabe right Of representation in the legislature by
dssovng legislative assemblies repeatedly and continually
for opposing with manly mness his nvasions OF The rights
of the peoples when dissolved by refusing to call others for
. long space of time thereby leaving the political system
without any legislative head by endeavorng prevent
the population Of country and for that purpose obstruc
ing the laws for the naturalization OF foreigners oy Keeping
among time of peace standing armies and ships oi war
by affecting render the military independent OF and superior
to the civil power by combining with others to subject us
foreign jurisdiction giving his assent 10 their pretended
acts legislation quaering bodies of armed
for cutting oil trade with all parts OF the world
for imposing taxes on us without consent for depryng
US of the benefits Of the trial by jury for Transporting be-
yond be tried for pretended Offences for susendng
our legislatures and declaring thesevs invested with
power legislae for in all whatsoever by plum
derng ravugng coasts burning our towns and
destroying the lives Of our peoples by melting instructions
Of fellow subjects with the nurenents OF forfeiture and
conhscauon; oy prompting our negroes TO rise In arms
among u.s. those very negroes whom by nhuman Of
his negative he had refused permission exclude law
by endeavorng bring the inhabitants of frontiers
the merciess Indian savage whose known rule of warfare
is undistingushed destruction of all ages sexes and
ditions OF exstence by transporting hitler large army OF
foreign meccnares to complete the work of DEATH desUa
ton and tyranny then already begun with circumstances OF
cruelty and perhdv unworthy the head of civilized nation
by answering repeated petitions for redress with epe
ton OF lnIues and hnaly by abandoning the he I'm OF
government and declaring out of his allegiance and pro-.
lection; by which several Of msrue The government
of this country before exercised under the of Great
Britain totally dissolved did therefore, having mature
y considered the premises and viewing with great concern
the deporable condition which This once happy country
ko
vii policy should be speedily adopted and in compliance win
the recommendation Of the general Congress- ordan ana de-
clare form Of government OF Virginia: c.. ,,s, :,
And Whereas Convention held on the hrst MONDAY IN
October in the year thousand eight hundred and twenty
nine did propose the people OF the Commonwealth an
amended Constitution Form of Government which was
ratified by them:
And whereas the General Assembly of Virginia. by act
passed the 4h Of March, in the year one thousand esh'
hundred fifty did provide for the election by the people,
OF delegates in general Convention to consider dis
and propose Constitution alterations and
amendments the existing Constitution OF this Common
weah and by an act passed the thirteenth OF March, in
the year thousand eight hundred and did further
provide for submitting the same to the people for ratification
rejection:
ra elected and in Convention assembled in pursuance oi
said do propose TO the people the following Consu-
IiOn and Form of Government for this Commonwealth:
ARTICLE l.
Bill Of Rights.
The Declaration of Rights, amended and pefxed TO
this Constitution, shall have the relation thereto
had the former Constitution.
ARTICLE ii.
Dirison of Po,cers.
The Legislative, Executive and Judiciary Departments
shall be separate and distinct; that neither exercise The
powers properly belonging either OF the Others shall any
person exercise the powers of than of them thu
time except that justices of tie peace shall be clig
BILE 10 either House of Assembly
ARTICLE III.
Qualification of Fotcrs.
l. Every white male of the Commonwealth OF iht
OF tweny-one years who has been resident OF IN,
State tor two years. and Of the county, city town where
he offers TO vote for twelve months preceding cleo
ton, and no other person. shall br qualified for mem
Lers OF the General Assembly and all officers elective by ht
people: but person in the military, naval marine
vice of the United States shall be deemed resident of this
State, by of being stationed therein And person
shall have the right VOTE who is of unsound mind or
pauper, non-commissuned officer, soldier seaman OF
marine in the service Of the United States who has been
convicted Of bribery in election of any infamous Of
fence.
e The General Assembly its first session after the ado
ton Of this Constitution and afterwards NAV
REQUIRE shall cause every city town. the white pupula
lion OF which exceeds five thousand 10 be laid OIL
venient wards and separate place uf voting 10 be esab
shed In each, and thereafter inhabitant of such city
town shall be allowed 10 vote the ward in which h.
resides.
g. No voter during the time for holding any election a
which he entitled 10 vote shall be compelled to perform mil
work upon the public roads, any court as sutton
juror witness and shall be subject to arrest under
any civil process during his attendance at elections or
going TO and returning from them.
In all elections shall be given openly