Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-08-29
CONSTITUTION OF VIRGINIA,

Whereas the Delegates and Representatives of the good
People Virginia. in Convention assembled on the twenty
nh day of june the year OF Lord one thousand
hundred and sevenysx recng and declaring, tha
whereas George the Third king of Great Britain aud Ire
land eecto of Hanover before that time entrusted Win
the of the kingly Office in the government OF f
ua had cndeavored pervcrt the into deeslable
ana nsupportable tyranny by putting his negative on laws
tie wholesome and necessary tor the public good oy
denying his governors permission 10 pass laws OF immediate
and pressing importance unless suspended In their operation
m his assent and when so suspended negecn 10 aena 10
them many years by refusing pass certain other laws,
unless persons be benefited by them would renquls
m nestimabe right of representation in the legislature by
cSsovng legislative assemblies repeatedly and continually,
opposing with manly mness his lnVasions OF me rshs
the peoples when dissolved by refusing to call others Tor
long space of time thereby leaving the political system
without any legislative head by endeavorng TO prevent
population OF country and for that purpose obsruct-
ing laws for the naturalization of foreigners by Keeping
among u.s. time of peace standing armies and ships OF war;
BY affecting render the military independent oil and superior
the civil powers by combining with others to subject US
foreign jurisdiction giving his assent TO their pretended
acts of legislation quarerns large bodies Of armed troops
among cutting off trade with all parts OF the world
for imposing taxes without consent for dep!iVng
us of the benefits the trial by jury transporting US be-
yond be tried for pretended offences tor suspendng
legislatures and declaring themselves invested Win
power egislae for in all whatsoever by plum
dering ravagng coasts burning our towns ana
destroying lives of people, by melting Instructions
of fellow subjects with the aurcmentS OF forfeiture ana
confscaon; by prompting our negroes TO rise IN arms
among those very negroes who by an nuiau use oil
his negative he had refused permission TO exclude by law
endeavorng bring the inhabitants OF our frontiers
the erciess Indian whose known rule OF warfare
is an undistingushed destruction oil all and
dons of existence; by transporting her large army OF
foreign mercenues complete the work of DEATH desua
and tyranny then already bcsuu with oil
cruelty and perhdy unworthy the hcado cvlzed nation
bv answering repeated petitions for redress with epe
titicn injuries and finally by abandoning the helm OF
and declaring out OF his allegiance and pro-
lection; by which several OF msrue The government
Of this before exercised under the crown OF Great
Britain totally dissolved Gid therefore, having mature
y considered The PREMISES and viewing with great concern
the deplora5c condition which this happy country
would be reduced unless regular adequate mode of CT
vii policy should be speedily adopted and in compliance with
the recommendation of the general Congress osdan and de-
clare form Of government ui virginia:
And whereas, Convention held on the trst Monday IN
October in the year one thousand eight hundred aud twenty
nne did propose people of the Commonwealth an
amended Constitution Form OF Government which was
ratified by them:
passed the 4thuf March, in the thousand eight
hundred and fifty did provide for the election by the people,
OF delegates in general ConSeton to consider dis
and propose Constitution or alterations and
amendments the existing Constitution of this Common
wealth. and by act passed on the thirteenth OF March, in
the year thousand eight hundred and tty one did further
provide for submitting the to The people for ratification
Ne therefore the Delegates OF the good People Of Virg
mia elected and in Convention assembled in pursuance of
nets do propose people the following Cons,itu
lie. md Form Of Government for This Commonwealth:
ARTICLE /.
Bill Of Rights.
Tie Declaration of Rights, amended and prefxed to
this Constitution, shall have the relation thereto as it
had to the former Constitution
ARTICLE II.
Dirisi0n of Poeers.
he Legislative, Executive and Judiciary Departments
shy be separate and distinct that neither exercise the
properly belonging either of the others shall any
exercise the Of more than of en at the
sane time except that justices Of tie peace shall be eilg
bic 10 either House of Assembly.
ARTICLE III.
Qualification of Voters.
J. Every white male citizen the Commonwealth Of the
age of twenty years. who has been resident OF the
Sdte for years. and OF the county, city or town where
he oilers for twelve months preceding an
c other person. shall be qualified 10 vote for rnem
General Assembly and all officers elective by the
people, but person in the military, naval or marine SER
rcc oil the United States shall be deemed resident of this
State by reason Of being stationed therein And person
sha have the right vote, who is Of unsound mind or
pauper, commissioned officer soldier seaman or
in the service of the United States who has been
convicted Of bribery in election, of any infamous Of
fence.
The General Assembly its first session after the adop
ton of this Constitution, and afterwards occasion may
require shall every city town. the white popua-
ton Of which exceeds five thousand be laid off
venient wards and separate place of voting 10 be estab
shed In EACH and thereafter nhabant such city
town shall be allowed except the ward in which
resides.
g. No voter during the time for holding any election at
which he entitled vote shall be compelled perform mil
iary SERVICE except in time OF war public danger;
work upon The public road TO attend any court suor
juror Witness and shall be subject TO under
any civil process during his attendance at elections in
going and returning from them
A. In ali elections shall be given openly,