Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-08-02
CONSTITUTION OF VIRGINIA.

Whereas, the Delegates aud Representatives of the
good people Of Virginia, in Convention assembled on
the 2otE day OF June IL the veal OF our Lord one
thousand seven hundred and seyenty-sX' reclng and
declaring, that whereas, George the Third, King OF
Great Britain and Ireland and Elector of Hanover,
before that time entrusted with the exercise OF the KING
" office n the Government of Virginia. had endeavor-
ed to pervert the into deesabe and insupport-
able tyranny, by putting his negative on laws the most
wholesome and necessary for the public good; by de-
nyng his governors permission to pass laws OF mmedl-
ate and pressing Importance, unless suspended in their
operation for his assent and when suspended neglect
ing to attend to them for many years; by refusing to
pass certain other laws uaess the persons to be bene-
fitted by them would relinquish the nestimabe right
of representation in the Legislature; by dssong e-
gslave assemblies repeatedly and continually, Tor OPP
posing with manly hrmness his invasons OF the rights
OF the people when dissolved by refusing 10 cali others
for a long space of time, thereby leaving the political
system without any legislative head by endeavorng to
prevent the population OF our country, and tor that
purpose obsucling the laws for the naturalization OF
foreigners; by keeping among us, in time OF peace,
standing armies and ships OF war by affecting to
render the military independent OF and superior 10 the
civil power; by combining with others to subject us
to foreign jurisdiction, giving his assent to their pre-
tended of legislation, for quarterng large bodies
of armed troops among u.s. Tor cutting OFT our trade
with all parts of the world, for imposing
without consent, for deprvng of the benefits OF
the trial by Jury, for transporting us beyond seas to be
tried for pretended offences, for suspending own
legislatures and declaring themselves invested with
power to egislate for us IN all cases whatsoever; by
plundering seas ravagng our coasts burning our
citing instructions of our fellow subjects with the al
urements of forfeiture and contiscaon; 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; by en-
deavorng bring the inhabitants OF our frontiers
the merciess Indian savages, whose known rule OF
warfare is an undstngush9d destruction OF all ages,
and conditions OF existence; by transporting her
large army Of foreign mercenarles to complete the
swork of death, desoation and tyranny, then already
begun, with circumstances of cruelty and perfdy
tba bpad n
repeated petitions for redress with repetition OF
injuries; and finally, by abandoning the helm OF go.
vernment and declaring us out OF his allegiance and
protection; by which several acts OF msrue, the 60
yernmen of this country before exercised under the
crown of Great Britain, was totally dissolved did,
therefore, having maturely considered the premises
and viewing with great concern the deporaoie condl-
ton to which this once happy country would pc re-
duced unless some regular, adequate mode OF civil
polity should be speedily adopted, and IN compliance
with The recommendation of the general Congress,
ordain and declares form OF government oil Virginia;
And whereas, Convention held on the first Mon
day in October in the year one thousand eight hundred
and twenty mine, did propose to the people OF the
Commonw ealth 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 fourth of March, in the year
thousand eight hundred and fifty did provide tor 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 ex-
sting Con stution OF this Commonwealth; and by an
act, passed the thirteenth o. March, 10 the year one
thousand eight hundred and fy-One did 1urtre pro-
vide for submitting the same 10 the people tor raca-
ton or rejection:
We therefore, the Delegates of the good people Of
Virginia. elected and in Convention assembled. in pur-
suance OF said acts do propose to The people the follow
ing Constitution and Form of Government for this
Commonwealth:
ARTICLE 1.
BULof Rights.
The Declaration of Rights, as amended and prefxed
TO this Constitution shall have the relation there
to rs il had to the former Constitution
ARTICLE II.
Division of P0,1erS.
The Legislative, Executive and Judiciary Depart
shall be separate and distinct, that neither
exercise the powers properly belonging to either OF the
Others; shall any person exercise the powers OF
than of them at the same time, except, tina t
justices OF the peace shall be eligible to either House
OF Assembly.
ARTICLE III.
Qualification OF Voters.
]. Every white male citizen OF the Commonwealth
of the age OF twenty one years who has been resident
OF the State Tor two years. and OF the county, city
town where he offers to tor twelve months
preceding an election, and no other person, snail be
qualified to vote tor members OF the General Assem-
bly, and all officers elective by the people, but per-
in the military naval marine service OF the Uni
ted States shall be deemed resident of this State by
OF being stationed therein And person shall
have the right to vote, who is CT unsonnd mind,
pauper, or non commissioned officer soldier, sea
marine in the service Of the United States or
who has been convicted of bribery in an election or OF
infamous offence.
3 The General Assembly at its first session after the
adoption of this constitution and afterwards as occa-
sion may require, shall cause every city or town. the
white population OF which exceeds five thousand 10 be
laid of into convenient wards, and separate Mace OF
voting to be established in each, and thereafter no in