VirginiaConstitutionof1830andBillofRights BILLOFRIGHTS

ADeclarationofRightsmadebytheRepresentativesofthegoodpeopleofVirginia,assembledinfull andfreeConvention;whichRightsdopertaintothem,andtheirposterity,asthebasisandfoundation ofGovernment. (Unanimouslyadopted,June12th,1776.) 1.Thatallmenarebynatureequallyfreeandindependent,andhavecertaininherentrights,ofwhich, whentheyenterintoastateofsociety,theycannot,byanycompact,depriveordivesttheirposterity; namely,theenjoymentoflifeandliberty,withthemeansofacquiringandpossessingproperty,and pursuingandobtaininghappinessandsafety. 2.Thatallpowerisvestedin,andconsequentlyderivedfrom,thepeople;thatmagistratesaretheir trusteesandservants,andatalltimesamenabletothem. 3.Thatgovernmentis,oroughttobe,institutedforthecommonbenefit,protectionandsecurityofthe people,nation,orcommunity:ofallthevariousmodesandformaofgovernment,thatisbest,whichis capableofproducingthegreatestdegreeofhappinessandsafety,andismosteffectuallysecuredagainst thedangerofmaladministration;andthat,whenanygovernmentshallbefoundinadequateorcontrary tothesepurposes,amajorityofthecommunityhathanindubitable,unalienable,andindefeasibleright, toreform,alterorabolishit,insuchmannerasshallbejudgedmostconducivetothepublicweal. 4.Thatnoman,orsetofmen,areentitledtoexclusiveorseparateemolumentsorprivilegesfromthe community,butinconsiderationofpublicservices,whichnotbeingdescendible,neitheroughtthe officesofMagistrate,Legislator,orJudge,tobehereditary. 5.ThattheLegislativeandExecutivepowersoftheSlateshouldbeseparateanddistinctfromthe Judiciary;andthatthemembersofthetwofirstmayberestrainedfromoppression,byfeelingand participatingtheburthensofthepeople,theyshould,atfixedperiods,bereducedtoaprivatestation, returnintothatbodyfromwhichtheywereoriginalllytaken,andthevacanciesbesuppliedbyfrequent, certain,andregularelections,inwhichall,oranypartoftheformermembers,tobeagaineligible,or ineligible,asthelawsshalldirect. 6.Thatelectionsofmemberstoserveasrepresentativesofthepeople,inAssembly,oughttobefree; andthatallmen,havingsufficientevidenceofpermanent,commoninterestwith,andattachmentto, thecommunity,havetherightofsuffrage,andcannotbetaxedordeprivedoftheirpropertyforpublic uses,withouttheirownconsent,orthatoftheirrepresentativessoelected,norboundbyanylawto whichtheyhavenot,inlikemanner,assented,forthepublicgood. 7.Thatallpowerofsuspendinglaws,ortheexecutionoflaws,byanyauthority,withoutconsentofthe representativesofthepeople,isinjurioustotheirrights,andoughtnottobeexercised. 8.That,inallcapitalorcriminalprosecutions,amanhatharighttodemandthecauseandnatureofhis

accusation,tobeconfrontedwiththeaccusersandwitnesses,tocallforevidenceinhisfavor,andtoa speedytrial,byanimpartialjuryofhisvicinage,withoutwhoseunanimousconsenthecannotbefound guilty;norcanhebeimpelledtogiveevidenceagainsthimself;thatnomanbedeprivedofhisliberty, exceptbythelawoftheland,orthejudgmentofhispeers. 9.Thatexcessivebailoughtnottoberequired,norexcessivefinesimposed,norcruelandunusual punishmentinflicted. 10.Thatgeneralwarrants,wherebyanofficerormessenger,maybecommandedtosearchsuspected places,withoutevidenceofafactcommitted,ortoseizeanypersonorpersonsnotnamed,orwhose offenceisnotparticularlydescribedandsupportedbyevidence,aregrievousandoppressiveandought nottobegranted. 11.That,incontroversiesrespectingproperty,andinsuitsbetweenmanandman,theancienttrialby juryispreferabletoanyother,andoughttobeheldsacred. 12.Thatthefreedomofthepressisoneofthegreatbulwarksofliberty,andcanneverberestrainedbut bydespoticgovernments. 13.Thatawellregulatedmilitia,composedofthebodyofthepeople,trainedtoarms,istheproper, naturalandsafedefenceofafreeState;thatstandingarmy.intimeofpeace,shouldbeavoided,as dangeroustoliberty;andthatinallcases,themilitaryshouldbeunderstrictsubordinationto,and governedby,thecivilpower. 14.Thatthepeoplehavearighttouniformgovernment;andtherefore,thatnogovernmentseparate from,orindependentof,thegovernmentofVirginia.oughttobeerectedorestablishedwithinthelimits thereof. 15.Thatnofreegovernment,ortheblessingofliberty,canbepreservedtoanypeople,butbyafirm adherencetojustice,moderation,temperance,frugality,andvirtue,andbyafrequentrecurrenceto fundamentalprinciples. 16.Thatreligion,orthedutywhichweowetoourCreator,andthemannerofdischargingit,canbe directedonlybyreasonandconviction,notbyforceorviolence;and,therefore,allmenareequally entitledtothefreeexerciseofreligion,accordingtothedictatesofconscience;andthatitisthemutual dutyofalltopracticeChromaforbearance,love,andcharitytowardseachother.

ANAMENDEDCONSTITUTION,OR FORMOFGOVERNMENTFORVIRGINIA.
(AdoptedbytheConventionJanuary11th.1830.) WhereastheDelegatesandRepresentativesofthegoodpeopleofVirginia,inConventionassembled, onthetwentyninthdayofJune,intheyearofourLordonethousandsevenhundredandseventysix: recitinganddeclaring,thatwhereas,Georgethethird,KingofGreatBritainandIreland,andElectorof Hanover,beforethattimeentrustedwiththeexerciseofthekinglyofficeintheGovernmentof Virginia,hidendeavoredtopervertthesameintoadetestableandinsupportabletyranny,bypottinghis

negativeonlawsthemostwholesomeandnecessaryforthepublicgood;bydenyinghisGovernors permissiontopasslawsofimmediateandpressingimportance,unlesssuspendedintheiroperationfor hisassent,andwhensosuspendedneglectingtoattendtothemformanyyears;byrefusingtopass certainetherlaws,unlesspersonstobebenefitedbythemwouldrelinquishtheinestimablerightof representationintheLegislature;bydissolvinglegislativeassembliesrepeatedlyandcontinually,for opposingwithmanlyfirmnesshisinvasionsoftherightsofthepeople;whendissolved,byrefusingto callothersforalongspaceoftime,therebyleavingthepoliticalsystemwithoutanylegislativehead; byendeavoringtopreventthepopulationofourcountry,andforthatpurposeobstructingthelawsfor thenaturalizationofforeigners;bykeepingamongus,intimeofpeace,standingarmiesandshipsof war;byaffectingtorenderthemilitaryindependentofandsuperiortothecivilpower;bycombining withotherstosubjectustoaforeignjurisdiction,givinghisassenttotheirpretendedactsoflegislation, forquarteringlargebodiesofarmedtroopsamongus,forcuttingoffourtradewithallpartsofthe world,forimposingtaxesonuswithoutourconsent,fordeprivingusofthebenefitsofthetrialbyjury, fortransportinguibeyondseastobetriedforpretendedoffences,forsuspendingourownLegislature anddeclaringthemselvesinvestedwithpowertolegislateforusinallcase*whatsoever;byplundering ourseas,ravagingourcoasts,burningourtowns,anddestroyingthelivesofourpeople;byinciting insurrectionsofourfellowsubjectswiththeallurementsofforfeitureandconfiscation;byprompting ournegroestoriseinurnsamongus,thoseverynegroes,whombyaninhumanuseofhisnegativehe hadrefuseduspermissiontoexcludebylaw;byendeavouringtobringontheinhabitantsofour frontier.,themercilessindiansavages,whoseknownruleofwarfareisanundisguiseddestructionofall ages,sexesandconditionsofexistence,bytransportinghitheralargearmyofforeignmercenaries,to completetheworkofdeath,desolationandtyranny,thenalreadybegunwithcircumstancesofcruelty andperfidyunworthytheheadofacivilizednation;byansweringourrepeatedpetitionsforredress witharepetitionofinjuries;andfinally,byabandoningthehelmofGovernment,anddeclaringusout ofhisallegianceandprotection;bywhichseveralactsofmisrule,theGovernmentofthiscountry,as beforeexercisedundertheCrownofGreatBritain,wastotallydissolved:did,therefore,having maturelyconsideredthepremises,andviewingwithgreatconcernthedeplorablecondition,towhich thisoncehappycountrywouldbereduced,unlesssomeregularadequatemodeofcivilpolityshouldbe speedilyadopted,andincompliancewiththerecommendationoftheGeneralCongress,ordainand declareaformofGovernmentofVirginia: AndwhereastheGeneralAssemblyofVirginia,byanactpassedonthetenthdayofFebruary,inthe yearofourLordonethousandeighthundredandtwentynine,entitled,anacttoorganizeaConvention, didauthorizeandprovidefortheelection,bythepeople,ofDelegatesandRepresentatives,tomeetand assemble,inGeneralConvention,attheCapitolintheCityofRichmond,onthefirstMondayin Octoberintheyearlastaforesaid,toconsider,discussandpropose,anewConstitution,oralterations andamendmentsoftheexistingConstitutionofthisCommonwealth,tobesubmittedtothepeopleand tobebythemratifiedorrejected: We,therefore,theDelegatesandRepresentativesofthegoodpeopleofVirginia,electedandin Conventionassembled,inpursuanceofthesaidactofAssembly,dosubmitandproposetothepeople, thefollowingAmendedConstitutionandFormofGovernmentforthisCommonwealth,thatistosay: ARTICLEI. TheDeclarationofRightsmadeon.the12thJune,1776,bytherepresentativesofthegoodpeopleof

VirginiaassembledinfullandfreeConvention,whichpertainedtothemandtheirposterity,asthebasis andfoundationofGovernment;requiringintheopinionofthisConventionnoamendment,shallbe prefixedtothisConstitution,andhavethesamerelationtheretoasithadtotheformerConstitutionof thisCommonwealth. ARTICLEII. TheLegislative,ExecutiveandJudiciaryDepartments,shallbeseparateanddistinct,sothatneither exercisethepowersproperlybelongingtoeitheroftheothers;norshallanypersonexercisethepowers ofmorethanoneofthematthesametime,exceptthattheJusticesoftheCountyCourtsshallbe eligibletoeitherHouseofAssembly. ARTICLEIII. 1.TheLegislatureshallbeformedoftwodistinctbranches,whichtogethershallbeacomplete Legislature,andshallbecalledtheGeneralAssemblyofVirginia. 2.OneoftheseshallbecalledTheHouseofDelegates,andshallconsistofonehundredandthirtyfour members,tobechosen,annually,forandbytheseveralcounties,cities,townsandboroughsofthe Commonwealth;whereofthirtyoneDelegatesshallbechosenforandbythetwentysixcountieslying WestoftheAlleghenymountains;twentyfiveforandbythefourteencountieslyingbetweenthe AlleghenyandBlueRidgeofmountains;fortytwoforandbythetwentyninecountieslyingEastofthe BlueRidgeofmountainsandabovetidewater;andthirtysixforanabythecounties,cities,townsand boroughslyingupontidewater,thatistosay:OfthetwentysixcountieslyingWestoftheAlleghany, thecountiesofHarrison,Montgomery,Monongalia,OhioandWashington,shalleachelecttwo delegates;andthecountiesofBrooke,Cabell,Grayson,Greenbrier,Giles,Kanawha,Lee,Lewis, Logan,Mason,Monroe,Nicholas,Focahontas,Preston,Randolph,Russell,Scott,Tazewell,Tyler, WoodandWythe,shalleachelectoneDelegate.OfthefourteencountieslyingbetweentheAllegheny andBlueRidge,thecountiesofFrederickandShenondoah,shalleachelectthreeDelegates;the countiesofAugusta,Berkeley,Botetourt,Hampshire,Jefferson,RockinghamandRockbridge,shall eachelecttwoDelegates;andthecountiesofAlleghany,Bath,Hardy,MorganandPendleton,shall eachelectoneDelegate.OfthetwentyninecountieslyingEastoftheBlueRidgeandabovetidewater, thecountyofLoudoun,shallelectthreeDelegates;thecountiesofAlbemarle,Bedford,Brunswick, Buckingham,Campbell,Culpeper,Fauquier,Franklin,Halifax,Mecklenburg;andPittsylvania,shall eachelecttwoDelegates;andthecountiesofAmelia,Amherst,Charlotte,Cumberland,Dinwiddie, Fluvanna,Goochland,Henry,Louisa,Lunenburg,Madison,Nelson,Nottoway,Orange,Patrick, PowhatanandPrinceEdward,shalleachelectoneDelegate.Andofthecounties,cities,townsand boroughslyingontidewater,thecountiesofAccornackandNorfolk,shalleachelecttwoDelegates; thecountiesofCaroline,Chesterfield,Essex,Fairfax,Greenesville,Gloucester,Hanover,Henrico.Isle ofWight,King&Queen,KingWilliam,KingGeorge,Nansemond,Northumberland,Northampton. PrincessAnne,PrinceGeorge,PrinceWilliam,Southampton,Spottsylvania,Stafford,Sussex,Surry andWestmoreland,andthecityofRichmond,theboroughofNorfolk,andthetownofPetersburg,shall eachelectoneDelegate;thecountiesofLancasterandRichmond,shalltogetherelectoneDelegate;the countiesofMatthewsandMiddlesex,shalltogetherelectoneDelegate;thecountiescfElizabethCity andWarwick,shalltogetherelectoneDelegate;thecountiesofJamesCityandYork,andthecityof Williamsburg,shalltogetherelectoneDelegate;andthecountiesofNew'KentandCharlesCity,shall

togetherelectoneDelegate. 3.TheotherHouseoftheGeneralAssemblyshallbecalledtheSenate,andshallconsistofthirtytwo members,ofwhomthirteenshallbechosenforandbythecountieslyingWestoftheBlueRidgeof mountains,andnineteenforandbytiecounties,cities,townsandboroughslyingEastthereof;andfor theelectionofithorn,thecounties,cities,townsandboroughsshallbedividedintothirtytwo membersa*hereinafterprovided.Eachcountyoftherespectivedistricts,atthetimeofthefirst electionofitsDelegateorDelegatesunderthisConstitution,shallvoteforon*Senator;andthe Sheriffsorotherofficersholdingtheelectionforeachcounty,city,townorborough,withinfivedaysat farthestafterthelastcounty,city,townaboroughelectioninthedistrict,shallmeetatsomeconvenient place,andfromthepollssotakenintheirrespectivecounties,cities,townsorboroughs,returnasa Senatorthepersonwhoshallhavethegreatestnumberofvotesinthewholedistrict.Tokeepupthis Assemblybyrotation,thedistrictsshallbeequallydividedintofourclasses,andnumberedbylot.At theendofoneyearafterthefirstgeneralelection,theeightmemberselectedbythefirstdivisionshall bedisplaced,andthevacanciestherebyoccasioned,suppliedfromsuchclassordivisionbynew electioninthemanneraforesaid.Thisrotationshallbeappliedtoeachdivisionaccording1toits number,andcontinuedindueorderannually.AndfortheelectionofSenators,thecountiesofBrooke, OhioandTyler,shallformonedistrict:thecountiesofMongongalia,PrestonandRandolph,shallform anotherdistrict:thecountiesofHarrison,LewisandWood,shallformanotherdistrict:thecountiesof Kanawha,Mason,Cabell,LoganandNicholas,shallformanotherdistrict:thecountiesofGreenbrier. Monroe,GilesandMontgomery,shallformanotherdistrict:thecountiesofTazewell,Wytbeand Grayson,shallformanotherdistrict:thecountiesofWashington.Russell,ScottandLee,shallform anotherdistrict:thecountiesofBerkeley,MorganandHampshire,shallformanotherdistrict:the countiesofFrederickandJeffersonshallformanotherdistrict:thecountiesofShenandoahandHardy shallformanotherdistrict:thecountiesofRockinghamandPendletonshallformanotherdistrict:the countiesofAugustaandRockbridgeshallformanotherdistrict:thecountiesofAlleghany,Bath, PocahontasandBotetourt,shallformanotherdistrict:thecountiesofLoudounandFairfaxshallform anotherdistrict:thecountiesofFauqnierandPrinceWilliamshallformanotherdistrict:thecountiesof Stafford,KingGeorge,Westmoreland,Richmond,LancasterandNorthumberland,shallformanother district:thecountiesofCulpeper,MadisonandOranire,shallformanotherdistrict:thecountiesof Albemarle,NelsonandAmherst,shallformanotherdistrict:thecountiesofFlovanna,Goochland, LouisaandHanover,shallformanotherdistrict:thecountiesofSpottsylvania,CarolineandEssex,shall formanotherdistrict:thecountiesofKing&Queen,KingWilliam,Gloucester,Matthewsand Middlesex,shallformanotherdistrict:thecountiesofAccomack,Northampton,ElizabethCity,York andWarwick,andthecityofWilliamsburg,shallformanotherdistrict:thecountiesofCharlesCity, JamesCity,NewKentandHenrico,andthecityofRichmond,shallformanotherdistrict:thecounties ofBedfordandFranklin,shallformanotherdistrict:thecountiesofBuckingham,Campbelland Cumberland,shallformanotherdistrict:thecountiesofPatrick,HenryandPittsylvania,shallform anotherdistrict:thecountiesofHalifaxandMecklenburgshallformanotherdistrict:thecountiesof Charlotte,Lunenburg,NottowayandPrinceEdward,shallformanotherdistrict:thecountiesofAmelia, PowhatanandChesterfield,andthetownofPetersburg,shallformanotherdistrict:thecountiesof Brunswick,DinwiddieandGreenesville,shallformanotherdistrict:thecountiesofIsleofWight, PrinceGeorge,Southampton.SurryandSussex,shallformanotherdistrict:andthecountiesof Norfolk.NansemondandPrincessAnne,andtheboroughofNorfolk,shallformanotherdistrict. 4.ItshallbethedutyoftheLegislature,toreapportion,onceintenyears,towit:intheyear1811,and

everytenyearsthereafter,tilerepresentationofthecounties,cities,townsandboroughs,ofthis Commonwealth,inbothoftheLegislativebodies:Provided,however,ThatthenumberofDelegates fromtheaforesaidgreatdistricts,andthenumberofSenatorsfromtheaforesaidtwogreatdivisions, respectively,shallneitherbeincreasednordiminishedbysuchreapportionment.Andwhenanew countyshallhereafterbecreated,oranycity,townorborough,notnowentitledtoseparate representationintheHouseofDelegates,shallhavesoincreasedinpopulationastobeentitled,inthe opinionoftheGeneralAssembly,tosuchrepresentation,itshallbethedutyoftheGeneralAssembly tomakeprovisionbylawforsecuringtothepeopleofsuchnewcounty,orsuchcity,townorborough, anadequaterepresentation.Andiftheobjectcannototherwisebeeffected,itshallbecompetenttothe GeneralAssemblytoreapportionthewholerepresentationofthegreatdistrictcontainingsuchnew county,orsuchcity,townorborough,withinitsEmits;whichreapportionmentshallcontinueinforce tillthenextregulardecennialreapportionment. 5.TheGeneralAssembly,aftertheyear1841,andatintervalsthereafterofnotlessthantenyears,shall haveauthority,twothirdsofeachHouseconcurring,tomakereapportionmentsofDelegatesand Senators,throughouttheCommonwealth,BothatthenumberofDelegatesshallnotatanytimeexceed 150,norofSenators36. 6.ThewholenumberofmemberstowhichtheStatemayatanytimebeentitledintheHouseof RepresentativesoftheUnitedStates,shallbeapportionedasnearlyasmaybe,amongsttheseveral counties,cities,boroughsandtownsoftheState,accordingtotheirrespectivenumbers,whichshallbe determinedbyaddingtothewholenumberoffreepersons,includingthoseboundtnserviceforaterm ofyearsandexcludingIndiansnottaxed,threefifthsofallotherpersons. 7.AnypersonmaybeelectedaSenatorwhoshallhaveattainedtotheageofthirtyyears,andshallbe actuallyaresidentandfreeholderwithinthedistrict,qualifiedbyvirtueofhisfreehold,tovotefor membersoftheGeneralAssemblyaccordingtothisConstitution.Andanypersonmaybeelecteda memberoftheHouseofDelegates,whoshallhaveattainedtheageoftwentyfiveyears,andshallbe actuallyaresidentandfreeholderwithinthecounty,city,town,boroughorelectiondistrict,qualifiedby virtueofhisfreehold,tovoteformembersoftheGeneralAssemblyaccordingtothisConstitution: Provided,ThatallpersonsholdinglucrativeofficesandministersoftheGospelandpriestsofevery denomination,shallbeincapableofbeingelectedmembersofeitherHouseofAssembly. 8.ThemembersoftheAssemblyshallreceivefortheirservicesacompensationtobeascertainedby law,andpaidoutofthepublicTreasury:butnolawincreasingthecompensationofthemembersshall takeeffectuntiltheendofthenextannualsessionaftersuchlawshallhavebeenenacted.Andno SenatororDelegateshall,duringthetermforwhichheshallhavebeenelected,beappointedtoany civilofficeofprofitundertheCommonwealth,whichshallhavebeencreated,ortheemolumentsof whichshallhavebeenincreased,duringsuchterm,exceptsuchofficesasmaybefilledbyelectionsby thepeople. 9.TheGeneralAssemblyshallmeetonceoroftenereveryyear.NeitherHouse,duringthesessionof theLegislature,shallwithouttheconsentoftheother,adjournformorethanthreedays,nortoany otherplacethanthatinwhichthetwoHousesshallbesitting.AmajorityofeachHouseshallconstitute aquorumtodobusiness;butasmallernumbermayadjournfromdaytoday,andshallbeauthorisedto compeltheattendanceofabsentmembers,insuchmannerandundersuchpenaltiesaseachHousemay

provide.AndeachHouseshallchooseitsownSpeaker,appointitsownofficers,settleitsownrulesof proceeding,anddirectwritsofelectionforsupplyingintermediatevacancies.Butifvacanciesshall occurbydeathorresignation,duringtherecessoftheGeneralAssembly,suchwritsmaybeissuedby theGovernor,undersuchregulationsasmaybeprescribedbylaw.EachHouseshalljudgeofthe election,qualificationandreturnsofitsmembers;maypunishitsmembersfordisorderlybehaviour, andwiththeconcurrenceoftwothirds,expelamember,butnotasecondtimeforthesameoffence. 10.AlllawsshalloriginateintheHouseofDelegates,tobeapprovedorrejectedbytheSenate,ortobe amendedwiththeconsentoftheHouseofDelegates. 11.TheprivilegeoftheWritofHabeasCorpusshallnotinanycasebesuspended.TheLegislature shallnotpassanybillofattainder;oranyexpostfactolaw;oranylawimpairingtheobligationof contracts;oranylaw,wherebyprivatepropertyshallbetakenforpublicuses,withoutjust compensation;oranylawabridgingthefreedomofSpeech,orofthePress.Nomanshallbecompelled tofrequentorsupportanyreligiousworship,placeorministrywhatsoever;norshallanymanbe enforced,restrained,molestedorburthenedinhisbodyorgoods,orotherwisesuffer,onaccountofhis religiousopinionsorbelief;butallmenshallbefreetoprofess,andbyargumenttomaintain,their opinionsinmattersofreligion,andthesameshallinnowiseaffect,diminishorenlargetheircivil capacities.AndtheLegislatureshallnotprescribeanyreligioustestwhatever;norconferanypeculiar privilegesoradvantagesonanyonesectordenomination;norpassanylawrequiringorauthorising anyreligionssociety,orthepeopleofanydistrictwithinthisCommonwealth,tolevyonthemselvesor others,anytaxfortheerectionorrepairofanyhouseforpublicworship,orforthesupportofany churchorministry;butitshallbeleftfreetoeverypersontoselecthisreligiousinstructor,andtomake forhissupportsuchprivatecontractasheshallplease. 12.TheLegislaturemayprovidebylawthatnopersonshallbecapableofholdingorbeingelectedto anypoutofprofit,trustoremolument,civilormilitary,Legislative,ExecutiveorJudicial,underthe GovernmentofthisCommonwealth,whoshallhereafterfightaduel,orsendoracceptachallengeto fightaduel,theprobableissueofwhichmaybethedeathofthechallengerorchallenged,orwhoshall basecondtoeitherparty,orshallinanymanneraidorassistinsuchduel,orshallbeknowinglythe bearerofsuchchallengeoracceptance;butnopersonshallbesodisqualifiedbyreasonofhishaving heretoforefoughtsuchduel,orsentoracceptedsuchchallenge,orbeensecondinsuchduel,orbearer ofsuchchallengeoracceptance. 13.TheGovernor,theJudgesoftheCourtofAppealsandSuperiorCourts,andallothersoffending againsttheState,eitherbymaladministration,corruption,neglectofduty,oranyotherhighcrimeor misdemeanor,shallbeimpeachablebytheHouseofDelegates;suchimpeachmenttobeprosecuted beforetheSenate,whichshallhavethesolepowertotryallimpeachments.Whensittingforthat purpose,theSenateshallbeonoathoraffirmation:andnopersonshallbeconvictedwithoutthe concurrenceoftwothirdsofthememberspresent.Judgment,incasesofimpeachment,shallnotextend furtherthantoremovalfromoffice,anddisqualificationtoholdandenjoyanyofficeofhonour,trustor profit,undertheCommonwealth;butthepartyconvictedshallneverthelessbeliableandsubjectto indictment,trial,judgmentandpunishment,accordingtolaw. 14.EverywhitemalecitizenoftheCommonwealth,residenttherein,agedtwentyoneyearsand upwards,beingqualifiedtoexercisetheRightofSuffrageaccordingtotheformerConstitutionand

laws;andeverysuchcitizen,beingpossessed,orwhosetenantforyears,atwilloratsufferance,is possessed,ofanestateoffreeholdinlandofthevalueoftwentyfivedollars,andsoassessedtobeif anyassessmentthereofberequiredbylaw;andeverysuchcitizen,beingpossessed,astenantin common,jointtenantorparcener,ofaninterestinorshareofland,andhavinganestateoffreehold therein,suchinterestorsharebeingofthevalueoftwentyfivedollars,andsoassessedtobeifany assessmentthereofberequiredbylaw;andeverysuchcitizenbeingentitledtoareversionorvested remainderinfee,expectantonanestateforlifeorfires,inlandofthevalueoffitlydollars,andso assessedtobeifanyassessmentthereofberequiredbylaw;(eachandeverysuchcitizen,unlesshis titleshallhavecometohimbydescent,devise,marriageormarriagesettlement,havingbeenso possessedorentitledforsixmonths);andeverysuchcitizen,whoshallownandbehimselfinactual occupationofaleaseholdestate,withtheevidenceoftitlerecordedtwomonthsbeforeheshallofferto vote,ofatermoriginallynotlessthanfiveyears,oftheannualvalueorrentoftwentydollars',and everysuchcitizen,whofortwelvemonthsnextprecedinghasbeenahousekeeperandheadofafamily withinthecounty,city,town,boroughorelectiondistrictwherehemayoffertovote,andshallhave beenassessedwithapartoftherevenueoftheCommonwealthwithintheprecedingyear,andactually paidthesameandnootherpersonsshallbequalifiedtovoteFormembersoftheGeneralAssembly inthecounty,city,townorborough,respectively,whereinsuchlandshalllie,orsuchhousekeeperand headofafamilyshalllive.Andincaseoftwoormoretenantsincommon,jointtenantsorparceners,in possession,reversionorremainder,havinginterestinland,thevaluewhereofshallbeinsufficientto entitlethemalltovote,theyshalltogetherhaveasmanyvotesasthevalueofthelandshallentitlethem to:andtheLegislatureshallbylawprovidethemodeinwhichtheirvoteorvotesshallinsuchcasebe given:Provided,nevertheless,thattheRightofSuffrageshallnotbeexercisedbyanypersonof unsoundmind,orwhoshallbeapauper,oranoncommissionedofficer,soldier,seamanormarine,in theserviceoftheUnitedStates,orbyanypersonconvictedofanyinfamousoffence. 15.InallelectionsinthisCommonwealth,toanyofficeorplaceoftrust,honourorprofit,thevotes shallbegivenopenly,orvivavoce,andnotbyballot. ARTICLEIV. 1.TheChiefExecutivepowerofthisCommonwealth,shallbevestedinaGovernor,tobeelectedbythe jointvoteofthetwoHousesoftheGeneralAssemblyHeshallholdhisoffice,duringthetermofthree years,tocommenceonthefirstdayofJanuarynextsucceedinghiselection,oronsuchotherday,as mayfromtimetotimebeprescribedbylaw;andheshallbeineligibletothatoffice,forthreeyearsnext afterhistermofserviceshallhaveexpired. 2.NopersonshallbeeligibletotheofficeofGovernor,unlessheshallhaveattainedtheageofthirty years,shallbeanativecitizenoftheUnitedStates,orshallhavebeenacitizenthereofattheadoption oftheFederalConstitution,andshallhavebeenacitizenofthisCommonwealthforfiveyearsnext precedinghiselection. 3.TheGovernorshallreceiveforhisservicesacompensationtobefixedbylaw,whichshallbeneither increasednordiminished,duringhiscontinuanceinoffice. 4.Heshalltakecarethatthelawsbefaithfullyexecuted;shallcommunicatetotheLegislature,atevery session,theconditionoftheCommonwealth,andrecommendtotheirconsiderationsuchmeasuresas

hemaydeemexpedient.HeshallbeCommanderinchiefofthelandandnavalforcesoftheState.He shallhavepowertoembodythemilitia,wheninhisopinion,thepublicsafetyshallrequireit;to convenetheLegislature,onapplicationofamajorityofthemembersoftheHouseofDelegates,or when,inhisopinion,theinterestoftheCommonwealthmayrequireit;tograntreprievesandpardons, exceptwheretheprosecutionshallhavebeencarriedonbytheHouseofDelegates,orthelawshall otherwiseparticularlydirect;toconduct,eitherinperson,orinsuchmannerasshallbeprescribedby law,allintercoursewithotherandforeignStates;andduringtherecessoftheLegislature,tofill,pro tcmporc,allvacanciesinthoseoffices,whichitmaybethedutyoftheLegislaturetofillpermanently: Provided,Thathisappointmentstosuchvacanciesshallbebycommissionstoexpireattheendofthe nextsucceedingsessionoftinGeneralAssembly. 5.ThereshallbeaCouncilofState,toconsistofthreemembers,anyoneormoreofwhommayact. TheyshallbeelectedbyjointvoteofbothHousesoftheGeneralAssembly,andremaininofficethree years.Butofthosefirstelected,one,tobedesignatedbylot,shallremaininofficeforoneyearonly, andoneothertobedesignatedinlikemanner,shallremaininofficefortwoyearsonly.Vacancies occurringbyexpirationofthetermofservice,orotherwise,shallbesuppliedbyelectionsmadeinlike manner.TheGovernorshall,beforeheexercisesanydiscretionarypowerconferredonhimbythe Constitutionandlaws,requiretheadviceoftheCouncilofState,whichadviceshallberegisteredin bookskeptforthatpurpose,signedbythememberspresentandconsentingthereto,andlaidbeforethe GeneralAssemblywhencalledforbythem.TheCouncilshallappointtheirownClerk,whoshalltake anoathtokeepsecretsuchmattersasheshallbeorderedbytheBoardtoconceal.TheSenior CouncillorshallbeLieutenantGovernor,andincaseofthedeath,resignation,inabilityorabsenceof theGovernorfromtheseatofGovernment,shallactasGovernor. 6.Themannerofappointingmilitiaofficersshallbeprovidedforbylaw;butnoofficerbelowtherank ofaBrigadierGeneral,shallbeappointedbytheGeneralAssembly. 7.CommissionsandgrantsshallruninthenameoftheCommonwealthofVirginia,andbeartesteby theGovernor,withthesealoftheCommonwealthannexed. ARTICLEV. 1.TheJudicialpowershallbevestedinaSupremeCourtofAppeals,insuchSuperiorCourtsasthe Legislaturemayfromtimetotimeordainandestablish,andtheJudgesthereof,intheCountyCourts, andinJusticesofthePeace.TheLegislaturemayalsovestsuchjurisdictionasshallbedeemed necessaryinCorporationCourts,andintheMagistrateswhomaybelongtothecorporatebody.The jurisdictionofthesetribunals,andoftheJudgesthereof,shallberegulatedbylaw.TheJudgesofthe SupremeCourtofAppealsandoftheSuperiorCourts,shallholdtheirofficesduringgoodbehaviour, oruntilremovedinthemannerprescribedinthisConstitution;andshall,atthesametime,holdno otheroffice,appointment,orpublictrust;andtheacceptancethereofbyeitherofthemshallvacatehis judicialoffice. 2.NolawabolishinganycourtshallbeconstruedtodepriveaJudgethereofofhisoffice,unlesstwo thirdsofthemembersofeachHousepresentconcurinthepassingthereof;buttheLegislaturemay assignotherJudicialdutiestotheJudgesofcourtsabolishedbyanylawenactedbylessthantwothirds ofthemembersofeachHousepresent.

 3.ThepresentJudgesoftheSupremeCourtofAppeals,oftheGeneralCourt,andoftheSuperior CourtsofChancery,shallremainmofficeuntiltheterminationofthesessionofthefirstLegislature electedunderthisConstitution,andnolonger. 4.TheJudgesoftheSupremeCourtofAppealsandoftheSuperiorCourtsshallbeelectedbythejoint voteofbothHousesoftheGeneralAssembly. 5.TheJudgesoftheSupremeCourtofAppealsandoftheSuperiorCourtsshallreceivefixedand adequatesalaries,whichshallnotbediminishedduringtheircontinuanceinoffice. 6.JudgesmayberemovedfromofficebyaconcurrentvoteofbothHousesottheGeneralAssembly; buttwothirdsofthememberspresentmustconcurinsuchvote,andthecauseofremovalshallbe enteredontheJournalsofeach.TheJudgeagainstwhomtheLegislaturemaybeabouttoproceed,shall receivenoticethereof,accompaniedwithacopyofthecausesallegedforhisremoval,atleasttwenty daybeforethedayonwhicheitherHouseoftheGeneralAssemblyshallactthereupon. 7.Onthecreationofanynewcounty,JusticesofthePeaceshallbeappointed,inthefirstinstance,in suchmannerasmaybeprescribedbylaw.Whenshalloccurinanycounty,oritshall,foranycause,be deemednecessarytoincreasethenumber,appointmentshallbemadebytheGovernor,onthe recommendationoftherespectiveCountyCourts. 8.TheAttorneyGeneralshallbeappointedbyjointvoteoftwoHousesoftheGeneralAssembly,and commissionedbytheGovernor,andshallholdhisoffice,duringthepleasureoftheGeneralAssembly. TheClerksoftheseveralcourt.,whenvacanciesshalloccur,shallbeappointedbytheirrespective courts,andtenureofoffice,aswellofthosenowinofficeasofthosewhomaybehereafterappointed, shallbeprescribedbylaw.TheSheriffsandCoronersshallbenominatedbytherespectiveCounty Courts,andwhenapprovedbytheGovernor,shallbecommissionedbyhim.TheJusticesshallappoint Constables.Andallfees.oftheaforementionedsaidofficers,shallberegulatedbylaw. 9.WritsshallruninthenameoftheCommonwealthofVirginia,andbeartestebytheClerksofthe severalcourts.Indictmentsshallconclude,AgainstthepeaceanddignityoftheCommonwealth. ARTICLEVI. ATreasurershallbeappointedannuallybyjointvoteofbothHouses. ARTICLEVII. TheExecutiveDepartmentoftheGovernmentshallremainasatpresentorganized,andtheGovernor andPrivyCouncillorsshallcontinueinoffice,untilaGovernorelected,underthisConstitution,shall comeintooffice;andallotherpersonsinofficewhenthisConstitutionshallbeadopted,exceptasis hereinotherwiseexpresseddirected,shallcontinueinoffice,tillsuccessorsshallbeappointed,orthe lawshallotherwiseprovide;andalltheCourtsofJusticenowexistingshallcontinuewiththeirpresent jurisdiction,untilandexceptsoforas,theJudicialsystemmayorshallbehereafterotherwiseorganized bytheLegislature.

 DoneinConventionintheCityofRichmond,onthefifteenthdayofJanuary,intheyearofourLord onethousandeighthundredandthirty,andinthefiftyfourthyearoftheIndependenceoftheUnited StatesofAmerica. PHILIPP.BARBOUR, PresidentoftheConvention D.BRIGGS, SecretaryoftheConvention. SCHEDULE. Ordered,thattherollcontainingthedraughtoftheAmendedConstitutionadoptedbythisConvention, andbyitsubmittedtothepeopleofthisCommonwealth,fortheirratificationorrejection,beenclosed bytheSecretaryinacaseproperforitspreservation,anddepositedamongthearchivesoftheCouncil ofState. Ordered,thattheSecretarydocausetheJournaloftheproceedingsofthisConvention,tobefairly enteredinawellboundbook,andafterthesameshallhavebeensignedbythePresident,andattested bytheSecretary,thathedepositthesame,togetherwithalltheoriginaldocumentsinthepossessionof theConvention,andconnectedwithitsproceedings,amongthearchivesoftheCouncilofState;and further,thathecausetenprintedcopiesofthesaidJournaltobewellbound,anddepositedinthe PublicLibrary. Ordered,thatthePresidentoftheConvention,docertifyatruecopyoftheAmendedConstitutionto theGeneralAssemblynowinsession;andthattheGeneralAssemblybeandtheyareherebyrequested tomakeanyadditionalprovisionsbylaw,whichmaybenecessaryandproperforsubmittingthesame tothevoterstherebyqualifiedtovoteformembersoftheGeneralAssemblyatthenextAprilelections, andfororganizingtheGovernmentundertheAmendedConstitution,itcaseitshallbeapprovedand ratifiedbysuchvoters.