University of Virginia Library

1735. CONSTITUTIONS (American), Written.—[continued].

Virginia was not only the first of the American States, but the first


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nation in the world, at least within the
records of history, which, peaceably by its
wise men, formed on free deliberation a constitution
of government for itself, and deposited
it in writing among their archives,
always ready and open to the appeal of every
citizen.—
To John Hambden Pleasants. Washington ed. vii, 344. Ford ed., x, 302.
(M. 1824)