Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1851-08-12


tyranny, by putting his negative on laws
The most wholesome and necessary Tor the
public good; by denying bis governors
permission 10 pass laws OF immediate and
pressing importance. unless suspended in
their operation for his assent, and when so
suspended neglecdng to attend to them for
many years; by refusing to pass certain
other laws, unless the persons TO be bene.
fitted by them would relinquish the ines
Unable right of representation in the leg
isIature +; by dissolving legislative assem-
blies repeatedly and continually, for OPP
posing with manly firmness his invasions
Of the rights Of the people when dissolv.
ed, by refusing TO call others for a long
space Of time, thereby leaving the politi-
cal system without any legislative head
BY endeavoring to prevent the population
ofour country, and for that purpose OBJ
structing the laws for the naturalization of
foreigners; by keeping among US. in time
ofpeace, standing armies and ships Of war;
by affecting 10 render the military inde-
pendent Of and superior TO the civil power;
by combining with others to subject US TO
a foreign jurisdiction, giving his assent to
their pretended acts Of legislation, for
quartering large bodies Of armed troops
among US, for cutting off our trade with all
parts of the world, for imposing taxes on
US without our consent, for depriving US OF
the benefits OF the trial by jury, for trans.
porting US beyond seas to be tried Cor pre-.
Tended offence. for suspending our own
legislatures and declaring themselves in
vested with power 10 legislate for US in all
cases whatsoever; by plundering our seas,
ravaging our coasts, burning our towns,
and destroying the lives OF our people; by
melting Instructions oil ouriellow subjects
with the alurement OF forfeiture and con-
fscation j; by prompting our negroes to
rise in arms amongst US, those very ne
groes. whom, by an inhuman use OF his
negative he had refused US PERMISSION TO
exclude by law be endeavoring TO bring
on the inhabitants Of our frontiers the mer-
cless Indian savages. whose known rule
Of warfare is an undisguised destruction of
all ages, sexes, and conditions of existence;
by transporting hither large army of for
eign mercenares, to complete the work Of
DEATH desolaton, and tyranny, then al
ready begun, with circumstances OF cruel
ty and per6diiy unworthy the head Of a
civilized nation; by answering our re-
peaied petitions tor redress with repeti-
ton Of injuries and finally, by abandon
ing the helm OF government, and declar-
ing us out of his allegiance and protec.
ton by which several acts of misrule,
the government of this country as before
exercised under the crown OF Great Br-
tain, was totally dissolved: did, therefore,
having maturely considered the premises,
and viewing with great concern the de-
plorable condition to which this once hap
Ply country would be reduced, unless
some regular, adequate mode Of civil pol
icy should be speedily adopted, and in
compliance with the Recommendation of
the general Congress, ordain and declare
a form Of government for Virginia:
And whereas, Convention held on the
first Monday in October, in the year one
thousand eight hundred and twenty nine,
did propose to the people OF the Common
wealth an amended Constitution or Form
Of Government, which was ratified by
them:
And whereas, the General Assembly of
Virginia, by an act passed on the 9TH OF
March, in The year one thousand eight
hundred and fifty, did provide for the
election, by the people, Of delegates to
meet in general Convention, to consider,
discuss and propose new Constitution or
alterations and amendments to the exist
ing Constitution of this Commonwealth /;
and by an act passed on The thirteenth OF
March, in the year one thousand eigh,
hundred and fity-one, did further provide
for submitting the same TO the people for
ratification or rejection:
We therefore, the Delegates Of the good
people of Virginia, elected and in Con.
vention assembled, in pursuance Of said
acts, do propose 10 the people the follow
ing Constitution and Form Of Government
for this Commonwealth: