Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-08-06
CONSTITUTION OF YIRGL.NLa.

Whereas, the Delegates and Representatives of
the good people Of Virginia, in Convention assem-
bed, on the twenty ninth day of June, in the year
of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sew
en,y-six reciting and declaring, that whereas,
George the Third King of Great Britain and Ire
land, and Eectur Of Hanover, before that time en-
trusted with the exercise Of the kingly office in The
government of Virginia, had endeavored 10 pervert
the same into deiesable and lnsupporabe iyran-
nv, by putting his negative on laws the most whole
some and necessary for the public good by deny
ing his governors permission to pass laws OF mme-
date and pressing importance, unless suspended In
their operaion for his assent, and when suspend
ed negiectine to attend to them for many years by
refusinp TO pass certain other laws unless the per-
sons to be benefited by them would relinqush the
inestimabe right representation in The legislature;
by dissolving legislative assemblies repeatedly and
continually, for opposing with manly frmness his
invasions Of the rg hs Of the people when dssolv-
ed, by refusing to call others for long space of
time, thereby leaving the political system without
anv Legislative head hy endeayUrng TO prevent the
population of our country, and for that purpose
obstructing the laws for The Naturalization nf fas
eigners by keeping among US, in time of peace,
standing armies and ships Of war; by affecting 10
render the military independent OF aud superior 10
the civil power by combining with others 10 sub
ject us TO foreign jurisdiction giving his assent 10
their pretended acts of legislation for quarerng
large bodies of armed troops among us; for cutting
off our trade with all parts Of the world for mpos-
ing taxes on us without our consent; for deprlvlng
us of the benefits of the trial by jury for transport
ing us beyond seas to be tried for pretended Offences
forsuspending own legislatures & declaring Them
selves invested with power to legisale tor US In all
cases whatsoever; by plunderlng our seas, ravagng
our coast, burning our towns, and destroying the
lives Of our people by melting Instructions OF our
fellow subjects with the aluTemenls OF forfeiture
and confscation; by prompting our negroes to rise
in arms among us, those very negroes, Whom by
an inhuman use Of his negative he had refused us
permission to exclude by law; oy endeavoTlng to
bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers The mercl-
less Indian savag6s, whose known rule OF warfare
is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes
and conditions of existence by transporting hIther
a large army Of foreign mercenares, 10 complete
the work Of death, desoa,on and tyranny, lhen al
ready begun, with circumstances cruelty and per-
| fdy unworthy the head Of civilized nalIon; by
answering our repeated petitions Tor redress with
repetition injuries; and finally by abandoning the
helm of government and declaring us out OF MS al
legiance and protection by which seVerai ac's oil
misruie, the government Of this country us before
exercised under the crown of Great Britain, was
totally dissolved did, therefore, having matureiy
considered the premises, and viewing with great
concern The deporable condition 10 which this once
happy country would be reduced, unless some reg
ular adequate mode of civil poity should be speed
lily adopted, and in compliance with The recommen
dation Of the general Congress. ordain and declare
! form Of government of Virginia; ;,
! And whereas, Convention held on Inc mrs