Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-08-15
CONSTITUTION OF VIRGINIA.

Whereas the Delegates ard Representatives Of the good
people Virginia, in Convention assembled on the twenty
nnin day of June in the year o Lord one THOUSAND
seven hundred and reci!ng and declaring maj
Whereas George the Third king OF Great Britain and Ire
land md eecor OF Hanover before that time entrusted WIN
The exercise of the kngy office in tho government oil F-
nia had endeavoed pervert the into dctesabe
and insupporate tyranny by putting his negative on a%s
most wholesome for the pubic good by
denying his governors permission TO pass laws Of immediate
and pressing Importance unless suspended IN Their operation
for his assent and when 50 suspended nesechg 10 aeno "
item for many years refusing pass certain other laws
unless the persons be- benefited BY Them would clnqusl
ne nesmabe right Of in the legislature by
issoyiug legislative assemblies repeatedly and continually
opposing with manly frnness his nvasions OF the rights
al the peoples when dissolved by refusing to call Others Tor
long space Of time thereby leaving the political system
without any legislative heud by endeavoring 10 prevent
population OF country and for that purpose o6sruct
ing the laws for the naturalization OF foreigners oy Keeping
among u.s. peace standing armies and ships oil
by affecting render the military independent OF and superior
civil power; by combining with others to subject us
to foreign jurisdiction giving his assent to their pretended
acts of legislation quarteng large bodies OF armed troops
among u.s. cutting oil trnde with all parts OF the woro
for imposing without consent tor depVlng
us of the benefits Of the trial by jury for transporting US be-
yond be tried for pretended offences for suspendne
our own legislatures and declaring themselves invested with
power 10 egsate in all whatsoeVer by plum.
derng ravagng COASTS burning towns and
destroying the lives Of peoples BY melting instructions
OF fellow subjects with the auremcnts OF forfeiture and
conscation by prompting our negroes 10 rise IN arms
among those ~hon by an inhuman use OF
his negative he had refused US 70 exclude oy Ia"
by cndcavuriug bring the inhabitants of our frontiers
mercess Indian savages whose known rule OF warfare
is an undsngushed destruction OF all and con-
of exisence BY transporting hiter large army o!
foreign mercenares complete the work OF DEATH desoa
ton and tyranny then already begun with circumstances OF
cruelty and per6dity unworthy head Of civilized nation
BY answering repeated petitions for redress with rePe
1cn of injuries; and finally: by abandoning the helm OF
government and declaring us out OF his allegiance ana pro-
lection by which several of msule, the government
of this country before exercised under the OF Great
Britain totally dissolved did, therefore having mature
" considered premises and viewing with great
the deporable condition which this happy country
would reduced unless regular adequate mode Of CT
vii policy should be speedily adopted and in compliance win
the recommendation VI the general Congress- oroan ana DC
clare form uf government OF Virginia:
And whereas u Convention held the first Monday in
October in the year thousand eight hundred and twenty
nine did propose to the people of the Commonwealth an
amended Constitution or Form OF government winch was
ratified by them
And whereas the General Assembly Virginia. by
passed on 4h v March, in the year thousand eight
hundred and fifty did provide tor the election, by the people,
of delegates in general Convention consider dis
cuss and propose Constitution alterations and
amendments the existing Constitution of this Common
wealth. and by act passed the thirteenth OF March, in
The year thousand eight hundred and yone did further
provide for submitting the same to the people Tor rancaon
rejection:
ra elected and in Convention assembled in pursuance Of
said acts do propose TO the people The following Cnnsu
lion and Form of Government tor this Commonwealth;
ARTICLE l.
Bill IF Rights
The Declaration of Rights amended and prefxed to
this Constitution shall have the relation thereto
had 10 the former Constitution.
ARTICLE ii.
Division of Po1cers.
The Legislative Executive and Judiciary Departments
shall be and distinct that neither exercise the
rwers properly belonging either OF the others shu any
person exercise the powers OF than OF them at the
tne except that Justices of TIE peace shall be elig
be 10 either House Of Assembly.
ARTICLE III.
Qualification of Voters.
l. Every white male citizen of the Commonwealth, Of the
of who has been resident of the
for years, and OF the caUnly city where
offers for twelve months preceding cleo
on and no other person. shall be qualified for
The General Assembly and all officers elective by The
people: but person in the military naval marine SER
vice the United States shall be deemed resident of this
STATE of being stationed therein And person
sail have the right vote, who is Of unsound mind,
pauper, Commissioned officer soldier seaman
in the service Of the United States who has been
convicted OF bribery in election, Of any infamous of
fence.
p The General Assembly its first session after the adop
ton of this Constitution and afterwards occasion may
REQUIRE shall cuuse every city town, the white popua
lion Of which exceeds five thousand laid off into
renent wards and place of voting be estab
shed in EACH and thereafter inhabtant of such city
town shall be allowed vote except in the ward which h
resides.
s. No voter during the time for holding any election
which he is entitled vote shall be compelled perform mil
ilary service eAcept in time ut war or public daneer
work upon the public roads attend any sutton
Juror Witness shall be subject undo
civil during his attendance at elections or
going and returning from them.
In all elections shall be given openly or rra rocs