Virginia Constitution
(1776, as amended 1852)

Mr. Archibald Cary, from the committee appointed for the purpose, reported on the 24th of June 1776, a plan of government for the colony.  It was then read the first time, read a second time on the 26th, and considered in committee of the whole on that day and on the 27th and 28th.  It was then reported to the house with amendments, which were read twice and agreed to.  After being fairly transcribed, it was read a third time on the 29th and passed unanimously. ⁶

This constitution or form of government was originally drawn up by George Mason. ⁷  Mr. Jefferson had put a draft of one into the hands of Mr. Wythe, who reached Williamsburg after the other was committed to the committee of the whole.  Two or three parts of Mr. Jefferson's plan were, with little alteration, inserted in the other; and his preamble was adopted. ⁸ 

The constitution so resolved upon may be seen, in the 9th volume of Hening's Statutes at Large, page 112 to 119, and in the editions of the Code of Virginia published from 1776 to 1819.  At the end of it, in the Code of 1819, will be seen a note of Mr. Leigh as to the form of the colonial government for which it was substituted.  This constitution was in force until superseded by the amended constitution or form of government of Virginia by their delegates and representatives, in convention assembled.

This amended constitution continued in force until January 1852.  A convention to form a new constitution was called.  It assembled on the 14th October 1850, and the present constitution was adopted on the 1st of August, 1851.  It was ratified by the people on the 4th Thursday in October following.  On the second Monday of the succeeding December an election was held for the legislature, governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general.  The first general assembly convened on the second Monday in January (the 12th day of the month), and the first governor and lieutenant governor qualified on the 16th of January 1852.  The constitution thus formed and put into operation is as follows:

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