CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES.
As already noticed, 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 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.
This constitution or form of government was originally drawn up by
George Mason. 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
also adopted. This constitution was in force until superseded by the
amended constitution or form of government for Virginia which, on the
15th of January, 1830, was submitted and proposed to the people 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 in 1850. It assembled
on the 14th of October of the same year, and the constitution which continued
in force until the time of the civil war was adopted on the 1st of
August, 1851. It was submitted to the people, who ratified it on the
fourth 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
under the new constitution convened on the second Monday in January
(the twelfth day of the month), and the first governor and lieutenant-governor
took the oath and entered upon the discharge of the duties of
their respective offices on the 16th of January, 1852. Under the now
liberal provisions of this constitution, the State entered upon a decade of
unexampled prosperity. These were the halcyon days of Virginia, but
the storm came on apace and civil war hovered near.
