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Teaching the Virginia Declaration of Rightsand Other Historical Documents

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Documents
of American
History
Virginia Department of Education
1
Documents of American History
State law requires that the following documents shall be taught to all
pupils in the public schools of the Commonwealth: the Declaration of
American Independence, the general principles of the Constitution of the
United States, the Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom, the charters of
April 10, 1606, May 23, 1609, and March 12, 1612 of the Virginia Company,
and the Virginia Declaration of Rights. Emphasis shall be given to the
citizenship responsibilities inherent in the rights included in these docu-
ments. It is also required by statute that pupils be instructed in the history
of the United States flag and the Virginia flag.
These documents express and these flags symbolize the principles and
ideals fundamental to the American system of freedom under law. It is the
duty and the privilege of the Commonwealth’s teachers to instruct pupils
in these principles and ideals and it is the duty and the privilege of the
Commonwealth’s citizens to honor them and transmit them to succeeding
generations. With a view to their perpetuation this booklet is published
for the use of the public schools of the Commonwealth.
Foreword
Superintendent of Public Instruction
Virginia Department of Education
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Documents of American History
Table of Contents
Foreword
1
Teaching the Virginia Declaration of Rights
and Other Historical Documents
2
The Constitution of Virginia
3
Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom
38
Declaration of American Independence
39
Constitution of the United States of America
41
Amendments
50
The Virginia Charters
56
Virginia Department of Educaion
Division of Instruction
P. O. Box 2120
Richmond, Virginia 23218-2120
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Documents of American History
The ideas and ideals which are basic to the establish-
ment and perpetuation of the American form of govern-
ment and the American way of living are expressed in the
American Declaration of Independence, the Virginia Stat-
ute of Religious Freedom, the Virginia Declaration of Rights
of the Constitution of Virginia, the Charters of the Virginia
Company, and the Constitution of the United States. Care-
ful consideration of each of these great documents should
provide a sound foundation upon which each student can
develop a set of values.
Code of Virginia, Title 22, Chapter 13: Article 1, Section
22.1-201, specifies the documents that must be taught in the
public schools of the State:
“Study of documents of Virginia history and United States
Constitution. — The Declaration of American Independence,
the general principles of the Constitution of the United
States, the Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom, the
charters of April 10, 1606, May 23, 1609, and March 12, 1612
of The Virginia Company, and the Virginia Declaration of
Rights shall be thoroughly explained and taught by teachers
to pupils in both public elementary and secondary schools.
Emphasis shall be given to the citizenship responsibilities
inherent in the rights included in these documents. Written
examinations as to each of such documents shall be given.”
These enduring documents of human rights should be
taught not merely because the law requires it, but also
because all young citizens need to develop an appreciation
for the wisdom and validity of the ideas expressed as well as
a sense of responsibility for perpetuating the basic freedoms
set forth in these documents.
The study of these documents should cause the student
to reflect upon the nature of government and of the role of
the individual in relation to it. Such study also should
promote an understanding of the nature and proper role of
law and its relevance to contemporary society. A major
objective of the study should be the development of values
which are consistent with the maintenance of our form of
government and our democratic way of life.
The full text of the Constitution of Virginia, including
the Declaration of Rights and the Statute of Religious Free-
dom, the American Declaration of Independence, the Con-
stitution of the United States, and the Charters of the Vir-
ginia Company are reproduced in this publication.
Grades in Which
the Documents Are to Be Taught
Political awareness and the formulation of political
attitudes and values begin early in the life of each indi-
vidual. The development of these attitudes and values is
influenced by home and community contacts, and by the
school. While these documents probably cannot be ana-
lyzed in a comprehensive manner in the primary and early
elementary grades, experiences which convey the spirit of
the documents can be provided at all grade levels. A careful
study of the documents by primary and early elementary
school teachers is recommended so that experiences which
are suitable for young children can be provided.
The middle grades provide an opportunity for more
detailed study of the documents. The Virginia Charters, the
American Declaration of Independence, the Virginia Decla-
ration of Rights, and the Virginia Statute of Religious Free-
dom should be studied as integral parts of instruction in
Virginia history and government. In addition to the study
of the historical development of the documents, emphasis
should be given to the fundamental principles involved and
their application to the present.
The required courses in Virginia and United States His-
tory and Virginia and United States Government provide addi-
tional opportunities for instruction about the charters of
April 10, 1606, May 23, 1609, and March 12, 1612 of The
Virginia Company, the American Declaration of Indepen-
dence, the Virginia Declaration of Rights, and the Virginia
Statute of Religious Freedom. Instruction at this level should
not merely repeat what has been taught in earlier grades, but
should be planned to develop a deeper understanding of
and appreciation for the significance of the ideas expressed
in these documents. The two courses also provide for the
study of the historical development and the meaning and
significance of the Constitution of the United States and
other basic documents. The historical development of the
United States Constitution can best be treated in the course
in Virginia and United States History, usually taught in the
eleventh grade. The analysis of the document as an instru-
ment of government should be reserved for the course in
Virginia and United States Government, usually taught
in twelfth grade.
Teaching the Virginia Declaration of Rights
and Other Historical Documents
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Documents of American History
The Constitution of Virginia
ARTICLE I — Bill of Rights
A DECLARATION OF RIGHTS made by the good people
of Virginia in the exercise of their sovereign powers, which
rights do pertain to them and their posterity, as the basis and
foundation of government.
Section 1. Equality and rights of men.
That all men are by nature equally free and indepen-
dent and have certain inherent rights, of which, when
they enter into a state of society, they cannot, by any
compact, deprive or divest their posterity; namely, the
enjoyment of life and liberty, with the means of acquiring
and possessing property, and pursuing and obtaining
happiness and safety.
Section 2. People the source of power.
That all power is vested in, and consequently derived
from, the people, that magistrates are their trustees and
servants, and at all times amenable to them.
Section 3. Government instituted for common ben-
efit.
That government is, or ought to be, instituted for the
common benefit, protection, and security of the people,
nation, or community; of all the various modes
and forms of government, that is best which is
capable of producing the greatest degree of happi-
ness and safety, and is most effectually secured
against the danger of maladministration; and,
whenever any government shall be found inad-
equate or contrary to these purposes, a majority of
the community hath an indubitable, inalienable,
and indefeasible right to reform, alter, or abolish
it, in such manner as shall be
judged most conducive to the
public weal.
Section 4. No ex-
clusive emoluments or
privileges; offices not
to be hereditary.
That no man, or set of men, is entitled to exclusive or
separate emoluments or privileges from the community,
but in consideration of public services; which not being
descendible, neither ought the offices of magistrate, leg-
islator, or judge to be hereditary.
Section 5. Separation of legislative, executive, and
judicial departments; periodical elections.
That the legislative, executive, and judicial depart-
ments of the Commonwealth should be separate and
distinct; and that the members thereof may be restrained
from oppression, by feeling and participating the burthens
of the people, they should, at fixed periods, be reduced to
a private station, return into that body from which they
were originally taken, and the vacancies be supplied by
regular elections, in which all or any part of the former
members shall be again eligible, or ineligible, as the laws
may direct.
Section 6. Free elections; consent of governed.
That all elections ought to be free; and that all men,
having sufficient evidence of permanent common inter-
est with, and attachment to, the community, have the
right of suffrage, and cannot be taxed, or deprived of, or
damaged in, their property for public uses, without their
own consent, or that of their representatives duly elected,
or bound by any law to which they have not, in like
manner, assented for the public good.
Section 7. Laws should not be suspended.
That all power of suspending laws, or the execution
of laws, by any authority, without consent of the repre-
sentatives of the people, is injurious to their rights, and
ought not to be exercised.
Section 8. Criminal prosecu-
tions.
That in criminal prosecu-
tions a man hath a right to de-
mand the cause and nature
of his accusation, to be con-
fronted with the accusers
and witnesses, and to call
for evidence in his favor,
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and he shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial,
by an impartial jury of his vicinage, without whose
unanimous consent he cannot be found guilty. He shall
not be deprived of life or liberty, except by the law of the
land or the judgment of his peers, nor be compelled in any
criminal proceeding to give evidence against himself, nor
be put twice in jeopardy for the same offense.
Laws may be enacted providing for the trial of of-
fenses not felonious by a court not of record without a
jury, preserving the right of the accused to an appeal to
and a trial by jury in some court of record having original
criminal jurisdiction. Laws may also provide for juries
consisting of less than twelve, but not less than five, for
the trial of offenses not felonious, and may classify such
cases, and prescribe the number of jurors for each class.
In criminal cases, the accused may plead guilty. If the
accused plead not guilty, he may, with his consent and
the concurrence of the Commonwealth’s Attorney and of
the court entered of record, be tried by a smaller number
of jurors, or waive a jury. In case of such waiver or plea
of guilty, the court shall try the case.
The provisions of this section shall be self-executing.
Section 8-A. Rights of victims of crime.
That in criminal prosecutions, the victim shall be
accorded fairness, dignity and respect by the officers,
employees and agents of the Commonwealth and its
political subdivisions and officers of the courts and, as the
General Assembly may define and provide by law, may
be accorded rights to reasonable and appropriate notice,
information, restitution, protection, and access to a mean-
ingful role in the criminal justice process. These rights
may include, but not be limited to, the following:
1. The right to protection from further harm or
reprisal through the imposition of appropriate
bail and conditions of release;
2. The right to be treated with respect, dignity and
fairness at all stages of the criminal justice sys-
tem;
3. The right to address the circuit court at the time
sentence is imposed;
4. The right to receive timely notification of judicial
proceedings;
5. The right to restitution;
6. The right to be advised of release from custody or
escape of the offender, whether before or after
disposition; and
7. The right to confer with the prosecution.
This section does not confer upon any person a right
to appeal or modify any decision in a criminal proceed-
ing, does not abridge any other right guaranteed by the
Constitution of the United States or this Constitution, and
does not create any cause of action for compensation or
damages against the Commonwealth or any of its politi-
cal subdivisions, any officer, employee or agent of the
Commonwealth or any of its political subdivisions, or
any officer of the court.
The amendment ratified November 5, 1996 and effective
January 1, 1997—Added a new section (8-A).
Section 9. Prohibition of excessive bail and fines,
cruel and unusual punishment, suspension of habeas
corpus, bills of attainder, and ex post facto laws.
That excessive bail ought not to be required, nor
excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punish-
ments inflicted; that the privilege of the writ of habeas
corpus shall not be suspended unless when, in cases of
invasion or rebellion, the public safety may require; and
that the General Assembly shall not pass any bill of
attainder, or any ex post facto law.
Section 10. General warrants of search or seizure
prohibited.
That general warrants, whereby an officer or messen-
ger may be commanded to search suspected places with-
out evidence of a fact committed, or to seize any person
or persons not named, or whose offense is not particu-
larly described and supported by evidence, are grievous
and oppressive, and ought not to be granted.
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Section 11. Due process of law; obligation of con-
tracts; taking of private property; prohibited discrimi-
nation; jury trial in civil cases.
That no person shall be deprived of his life, liberty, or
property without due process of law; that the General
Assembly shall not pass any law impairing the obligation
of contracts, nor any law whereby private property shall
be taken or damaged for public uses, without just com-
pensation, the term “public uses” to be defined by the
General Assembly; and that the right to be free from any
governmental discrimination upon the basis of religious
conviction, race, color, sex, or national origin shall not be
abridged, except that the mere separation of the sexes
shall not be considered discrimination.
That in controversies respecting property, and in
suits between man and man, trial by jury is preferable to
any other, and ought to be held sacred. The General
Assembly may limit the number of jurors for civil cases in
courts of record to not less than five.
Section 12. Freedom of speech and of the press;
right peaceably to assemble, and to petition.
That the freedoms of speech and of the press are
among the great bulwarks of liberty, and can never be
restrained except by despotic governments; that any
citizen may freely speak, write, and publish his senti-
ments on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of
that right; that the General Assembly shall not pass any
law abridging the freedom of speech or of the press, nor
the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to
petition the government for the redress of grievances.
Section 13. Militia; standing armies; military sub-
ordinate to civil power.
That a well regulated militia, composed of the body
of the people, trained to arms, is the proper, natural, and
safe defense of a free state, therefore, the right of the
people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed; that
standing armies, in time of peace, should be avoided as
dangerous to liberty; and that in all cases the military
should be under strict subordination to, and governed
by, the civil power.
Section 14. Government should be uniform.
That the people have a right to uniform government;
and, therefore, that no government separate from, or
independent of, the government of Virginia, ought to be
erected or established within the limits thereof.
Section 15. Qualities necessary to preservation of
free government.
That no free government, nor the blessings of liberty,
can be preserved to any people, but by a firm adherence
to justice, moderation, temperance, frugality, and virtue;
by frequent recurrence to fundamental principles; and by
the recognition by all citizens that they have duties as
well as rights, and that such rights cannot be enjoyed save
in a society where law is respected and due process is
observed.
That free government rests, as does all progress,
upon the broadest possible diffusion of knowledge, and
that the Commonwealth should avail itself of those tal-
ents which nature has sown so liberally among its people
by assuring the opportunity for their fullest development
by an effective system of education throughout the Com-
monwealth.
Section 16. Free exercise of religion; no establish-
ment of religion.
That religion or the duty which we owe to our Cre-
ator, and the manner of discharging it, can be directed
only by reason and conviction, not by force or violence;
and, therefore, all men are equally entitled to the free
exercise of religion, according to the dictates of con-
science; and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice
Christian forbearance, love, and charity towards each
other. No man shall be compelled to frequent or support
any religious worship, place, or ministry whatsoever, nor
shall be enforced, restrained, molested, or burthened in
his body or goods, nor shall otherwise suffer on account
of his religious opinions or belief; but all men shall be free
to profess and by argument to maintain their opinions in
matters of religion, and the same shall in nowise dimin-
ish, enlarge, or affect their civil capacities. And the
General Assembly shall not prescribe any religious test
whatever, or confer any peculiar privileges or advan-
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tages on any sect or denomination, or pass any law
requiring or authorizing any religious society, or the
people of any district within this Commonwealth, to levy
on themselves or others, any tax for the erection or repair
of any house of public worship, or for the support of any
church or ministry; but it shall be left free to every person
to select his religious instructor, and to make for his
support such private contract as he shall please.
Section 17. Construction of the Bill of Rights.
The rights enumerated in this Bill of Rights shall not
be construed to limit other rights of the people not therein
expressed.
ARTICLE II — Franchise and Officers
Section 1. Qualifications of voters.
In elections by the people, the qualifications of voters
shall be as follows: Each voter shall be a citizen of the
United States, shall be eighteen years of age, shall fulfill
the residence requirements set forth in this section, and
shall be registered to vote pursuant to this article. No
person who has been convicted of a felony shall be
qualified to vote unless his civil rights have been restored
by the Governor or other appropriate authority. As
prescribed by law, no person adjudicated to be mentally
incompetent shall be qualified to vote until his compe-
tency has been reestablished.
The residence requirements shall be that each voter
shall be a resident of the Commonwealth and of the
precinct where he votes. Residence, for all purposes of
qualification to vote, requires both domicile and a place
of abode. The General Assembly may provide for persons
who are employed overseas, and their spouses and de-
pendents residing with them, and who are qualified to
vote except for relinquishing their place of abode in the
Commonwealth while overseas, to vote in the Common-
wealth subject to conditions and time limits defined by
law. The General Assembly may provide for persons
who are qualified to vote except for having moved their
residence from one precinct to another within the Com-
monwealth to continue to vote in a former precinct sub-
ject to conditions and time limits defined by law. The
General Assembly may also provide, in elections for
President and Vice-President of the United States, alter-
natives to registration for new residents of the Common-
wealth.
Any person who will be qualified with respect to age
to vote at the next general election shall be permitted to
register in advance and also to vote in any intervening
primary or special election.
The amendment ratified November 7, 1972 and effective
January 1, 1973 — In paragraph one, the voting age, formerly
“twenty-one”, was reduced to “eighteen”.
The amendment ratified November 2, 1976 and effective
January 1, 1977 — In paragraph two, substituted “be” for
“have been” and removed the durational residency requirement
of “six months” in the Commonwealth and “thirty days” in the
precinct in the first sentence. The second sentence removed the
language “fewer than thirty days prior to an election” and after
the word “may” added the language “in the following Novem-
ber general election and (in any) intervening”. In the last
sentence of the paragraph the less than six months residency
requirement for presidential elections was removed to conform
with the first sentence.
The amendment ratified November 5, 1996 and effective
January 1, 1997 — In paragraph two, deleted the second
sentence: “A person who is qualified to vote except for having
moved his residence from one precinct to another may in the
following November general election and in any intervening
election vote in the precinct from which he has moved.”, added
a next-to-the-last sentence: “The General Assembly may
provide for persons who are qualified to vote . . .”, and added
“also” preceding “provide” in the last sentence.
The amendment ratified November 3, 1998 and effective
January 1, 1999 — In paragraph two, added the third sentence:
“The General Assembly may provide for persons who are
employed...”
Section 2. Registration of voters.
The General Assembly shall provide by law for the
registration of all persons otherwise qualified to vote
who have met the residence requirements contained in
this article, and shall ensure that the opportunity to
register is made available. Registrations accomplished
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prior to the effective date of this section shall be effective
hereunder. The registration records shall not be closed to
new or transferred registrations more than thirty days
before the election in which they are to be used.
Applications to register shall require the applicant to
provide the following information on a standard form:
full name; date of birth; residence address; social security
number, if any; whether the applicant is presently a
United States citizen; and such additional information as
may be required by law. All applications to register shall
be completed by or at the direction of the applicant and
signed by the applicant, unless physically disabled. No
fee shall be charged to the applicant incident to an appli-
cation to register.
Nothing in this article shall preclude the General
Assembly from requiring as a prerequisite to registration
to vote the ability of the applicant to read and complete in
his own handwriting the application to register.
The amendment ratified November 2, 1976 and effective
January 1, 1977 — In paragraph two, substituted “date of
residence in the precinct” for “length of residence in the
Commonwealth and in the precinct” and removed “time” of
any previous registrations to vote.
The amendment ratified November 2, 1982 and effective
January 1, 1983 — In paragraph two, after “maiden” added
“and any other prior legal” and deleted “of a woman, if
married” and after “birth;” deleted “marital status; occupa-
tion;”.
The amendment ratified November 8, 1994 and effective
January 1, 1995 — In paragraph two, after “to provide” deleted
“under oath”, after “has been restored.” deleted “Except as
otherwise provided in this Constitution,”, and after “shall be
completed” deleted “in person before the register and”.
The amendment ratified November 5, 1996 and effective
January 1, 1997 — In paragraph two, after “full name”, deleted
“, including the maiden and any other prior legal name; age”,
after “date”, deleted “and place”, added “residence address;”
after “of birth;”, and substituted “and such additional informa-
tion as may be required by law” for “address and place of abode
and date of residence in the precinct; place of any previous
registrations to vote; and whether the applicant has ever been
adjudicated to be mentally incompetent or convicted of a felony,
and if so, under what circumstances the applicant’s right to
vote has been restored”.
Section 3. Method of voting.
In elections by the people, the following safeguards
shall be maintained: Voting shall be by ballot or by
machines for receiving, recording, and counting votes
cast. No ballot or list of candidates upon any voting
machine shall bear any distinguishing mark or symbol,
other than words identifying political party affiliation;
and their form, including the offices to be filled and the
listing of candidates or nominees, shall be as uniform as
is practicable throughout the Commonwealth or smaller
governmental unit in which the election is held.
In elections other than primary elections, provision
shall be made whereby votes may be cast for persons
other than the listed candidates or nominees. Secrecy in
casting votes shall be maintained, except as provision
may be made for assistance to handicapped voters, but
the ballot box or voting machine shall be kept in public
view and shall not be opened, nor the ballots canvassed
nor the votes counted, in secret. Votes may be cast in
person or by absentee ballot as provided by law.
The amendment ratified November 8, 1994 and effective
January 1, 1995 — In paragraph two, after “Votes may be cast”
deleted “only in person, except as otherwise provided in this
article” and added “in person or by absentee ballot as provided
by law”.
Section 4. Powers and duties of General Assembly.
The General Assembly shall establish a uniform sys-
tem for permanent registration of voters pursuant to this
Constitution, including provisions for appeal by any
person denied registration, correction of illegal or fraudu-
lent registrations, penalties for illegal, fraudulent, or false
registrations, proper transfer of all registered voters, and
cancellation of registrations in other jurisdictions of per-
sons who apply to register to vote in the Commonwealth.
The General Assembly shall provide for maintenance of
accurate and current registration records and may pro-
vide for the cancellation of registrations for such purpose.
The General Assembly shall provide for the nomina-
tion of candidates, shall regulate the time, place, manner,
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conduct, and administration of primary, general, and
special elections, and shall have power to make any other
law regulating elections not inconsistent with this Con-
stitution.
The amendment ratified November 8, 1994 and effective
January 1, 1995 — In paragraph one, after “fraudulent regis-
trations,” added “penalties for illegal, fraudulent, or false
registrations,” and replaced “shall provide for cancellation”
with “may provide for the cancellation”. Deleted provision for
canceling a voter’s registration for not having voted for four
years, allowing the General Assembly to revise laws for cancel-
ing a person’s registration for not voting. Deleted a paragraph
relating to registration and voting by absentee application and
ballot for those in the armed forces or temporarily employed out
of the country, and for other qualified voters. [The amendment
to this section ratified November 2, 1976 and effective January
1, 1977 and the amendment to this section ratified November 4,
1986 and effective July 1, 1987 were superseded by the 1994
amendment.]
Section 5. Qualifications to hold elective office.
The only qualification to hold any office of the Com-
monwealth or of its governmental units, elective by the
people, shall be that a person must have been a resident
of the Commonwealth for one year next preceding his
election and be qualified to vote for that office, except as
otherwise provided in this Constitution, and except that:
(a) the General Assembly may impose more restric-
tive geographical residence requirements for elec-
tion of its members, and may permit other gov-
erning bodies in the Commonwealth to impose
more restrictive geographical residence require-
ments for election to such governing bodies, but
no such requirements shall impair equal repre-
sentation of the persons entitled to vote;
(b) the General Assembly may provide that resi-
dence in a local governmental unit is not re-
quired for election to designated elective offices
in local governments, other than membership in
the local governing body; and
(c) nothing in this Constitution shall limit the power
of the General Assembly to prevent conflict of
interests, dual officeholding, or other incompat-
ible activities by elective or appointive officials
of the Commonwealth or of any political subdi-
vision.
The amendment ratified November 2, 1976 and effective
January 1, 1977——In paragraph one, after “one year” added
the language “next preceding his election”.
Section 6. Apportionment.
Members of the House of Representatives of the
United States and members of the Senate and of the
House of Delegates of the General Assembly shall be
elected from electoral districts established by the General
Assembly. Every electoral district shall be composed of
contiguous and compact territory and shall be so consti-
tuted as to give, as nearly as is practicable, representation
in proportion to the population of the district. The
General Assembly shall reapportion the Commonwealth
into electoral districts in accordance with this section in
the year 1971 and every ten years thereafter.
Any such reapportionment law shall take effect im-
mediately and not be subject to the limitations contained
in Article IV, Section 13, of this Constitution.
Section 7. Oath or affirmation.
All officers elected or appointed under or pursuant to
this Constitution shall, before they enter on the perfor-
mance of their public duties, severally take and subscribe
the following oath or affirmation:
“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support
the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitu-
tion of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and that I will
faithfully and impartially discharge all the duties incum-
bent upon me as ...................., according to the best of my
ability (so help me God).”
Section 8. Electoral boards; registrars and officers
of election.
There shall be in each county and city an electoral
board composed of three members, selected as provided
by law. In the appointment of the electoral boards,
representation, as far as practicable, shall be given to each
of the two political parties which, at the general election
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next preceding their appointment, cast the highest and
the next highest number of votes. The present members
of such boards shall continue in office until the expiration
of their respective terms; thereafter their successors shall
be appointed for the term of three years. Any vacancy
occurring in any board shall be filled by the same author-
ity for the unexpired term.
Each electoral board shall appoint the officers of
election and general registrar for its county or city. In
appointing such officers of election, representation, as far
as practicable, shall be given to each of the two political
parties which, at the general election next preceding their
appointment, cast the highest and next highest number of
votes.
No person, nor the deputy of any person, who is
employed by or holds any office or post of profit or
emolument, or who holds any elective office of profit or
trust, under the governments of the United States, the
Commonwealth, or any county, city, or town, shall be
appointed a member of the electoral board or general
registrar. No person, nor the deputy or the employee of
any person, who holds any elective office of profit or trust
under the government of the United States, the Common-
wealth, or any county, city, or town of the Common-
wealth shall be appointed an assistant registrar or officer
of election.
The amendment ratified November 4, 1986 and effective
January 1, 1987——In paragraph two, after “officers” deleted
the words “and registrars” and added “and general registrar”
after “of election”. In paragraph three, after “the electoral
board or” added the word “general” before “registrar” and
deleted a reference to officer of election, and added the last
sentence: “No person, nor the deputy or the employee of any
person . . .”.
Section 9. Privileges of voters during election.
No voter, during the time of holding any election at
which he is entitled to vote, shall be compelled to perform
military service, except in time of war or public danger,
nor to attend any court as suitor, juror, or witness; nor
shall any such voter be subject to arrest under any civil
process during his attendance at election or in going to or
returning therefrom.
ARTICLE III — Division of Powers
Section 1. Departments to be distinct.
The legislative, executive, and judicial departments
shall be separate and distinct, so that none exercise the
powers properly belonging to the others, nor any person
exercise the power of more than one of them at the same
time; provided, however, administrative agencies may
be created by the General Assembly with such authority
and duties as the General Assembly may prescribe. Pro-
visions may be made for judicial review of any finding,
order, or judgment of such administrative agencies.
ARTICLE IV — Legislature
Section 1. Legislative power.
The legislative power of the Commonwealth shall be
vested in a General Assembly, which shall consist of a
Senate and House of Delegates.
Section 2. Senate.
The Senate shall consist of not more than forty and
not less than thirty-three members, who shall be elected
quadrennially by the voters of the several senatorial
districts on the Tuesday succeeding the first Monday in
November.
Section 3. House of Delegates.
The House of Delegates shall consist of not more than
one hundred and not less than ninety members, who
shall be elected biennially by the voters of the several
house districts on the Tuesday succeeding the first Mon-
day in November.
Section 4. Qualifications of senators and delegates.
Any person may be elected to the Senate who, at the
time of the election, is twenty-one years of age, is a
resident of the senatorial district which he is seeking to
represent, and is qualified to vote for members of the
General Assembly. Any person may be elected to the
House of Delegates who, at the time of the election, is
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twenty-one years of age, is a resident of the house district
which he is seeking to represent, and is qualified to vote
for members of the General Assembly. A senator or
delegate who moves his residence from the district for
which he is elected shall thereby vacate his office.
No person holding a salaried office under the gov-
ernment of the Commonwealth, and no judge of any
court, attorney for the Commonwealth, sheriff, treasurer,
assessor of taxes, commissioner of the revenue, collector
of taxes, or clerk of any court shall be a member of either
house of the General Assembly during his continuance in
office; and his qualification as a member shall vacate any
such office held by him. No person holding any office or
post of profit or emolument under the United States
government, or who is in the employment of such gov-
ernment, shall be eligible to either house.
Section 5. Compensation; election to civil office of
profit.
The members of the General Assembly shall receive
such salary and allowances as may be prescribed by law,
but no increase in salary shall take effect for a given
member until after the end of the term for which he was
elected. No member during the term for which he shall
have been elected shall be elected by the General Assem-
bly to any civil office of profit in the Commonwealth.
Section 6. Legislative sessions.
The General Assembly shall meet once each year on
the second Wednesday in January. Except as herein
provided for reconvened sessions, no regular session of
the General Assembly convened in an even-numbered
year shall continue longer than sixty days; no regular
session of the General Assembly convened in an odd-
numbered year shall continue longer than thirty days;
but with the concurrence of two-thirds of the members
elected to each house, any regular session may be ex-
tended for a period not exceeding thirty days. Neither
house shall, without the consent of the other, adjourn to
another place, nor for more than three days.
The Governor may convene a special session of the
General Assembly when, in his opinion, the interest of the
Commonwealth may require and shall convene a special
session upon the application of two-thirds of the mem-
bers elected to each house.
The General Assembly shall reconvene on the sixth
Wednesday after adjournment of each regular or special
session for the purpose of considering bills which may
have been returned by the Governor with recommenda-
tions for their amendment and bills and items of appro-
priation bills which may have been returned by the
Governor with his objections. No other business shall be
considered at a reconvened session. Such reconvened
session shall not continue longer than three days unless
the session be extended, for a period not exceeding seven
additional days, upon the vote of the majority of the
members elected to each house.
The amendment ratified November 4, 1980 and effective
January 1, 1981——After the first sentence in the first para-
graph added “Except as herein provided for reconvened ses-
sions,”, and added a third paragraph “The General Assembly
shall reconvene on the sixth Wednesday . . .”.
Section 7. Organization of General Assembly.
The House of Delegates shall choose its own Speaker;
and, in the absence of the Lieutenant Governor, or when
he shall exercise the office of Governor, the Senate shall
choose from its own body a president pro tempore. Each
house shall select its officers and settle its rules of proce-
dure. The houses may jointly provide for legislative
continuity between sessions occurring during the term
for which members of the House of Delegates are elected.
Each house may direct writs of election for supplying
vacancies which may occur during a session of the Gen-
eral Assembly. If vacancies exist while the General
Assembly is not in session, such writs may be issued by
the Governor under such regulations as may be pre-
scribed by law. Each house shall judge of the election,
qualification, and returns of its members, may punish
them for disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence
of two-thirds of its elected membership, may expel a
member.
Section 8. Quorum.
A majority of the members elected to each house shall
constitute a quorum to do business, but a smaller number
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may adjourn from day to day and shall have power to
compel the attendance of members in such manner and
under such penalty as each house may prescribe. A
smaller number, not less than two-fifths of the elected
membership of each house, may meet and may, notwith-
standing any other provision of this Constitution, enact
legislation if the Governor by proclamation declares that
a quorum of the General Assembly cannot be convened
because of enemy attack upon the soil of Virginia. Such
legislation shall remain effective only until thirty days
after a quorum of the General Assembly can be convened.
Section 9. Immunity of legislators.
Members of the General Assembly shall, in all cases
except treason, felony, or breach of the peace, be privi-
leged from arrest during the sessions of their respective
houses; and for any speech or debate in either house shall
not be questioned in any other place. They shall not be
subject to arrest under any civil process during the ses-
sions of the General Assembly, or during the fifteen days
before the beginning or after the ending of any session.
Section 10. Journal of proceedings.
Each house shall keep a journal of its proceedings,
which shall be published from time to time. The vote of
each member voting in each house on any question shall,
at the desire of one-fifth of those present, be recorded in
the journal. On the final vote on any bill, and on the vote
in any election or impeachment conducted in the General
Assembly or on the expulsion of a member, the name of
each member voting in each house and how he voted
shall be recorded in the journal.
Section 11. Enactment of laws.
No law shall be enacted except by bill. A bill may
originate in either house, may be approved or rejected by
the other, or may be amended by either, with the concur-
rence of the other.
No bill shall become a law unless, prior to its passage:
(a) it has been referred to a committee of each house,
considered by such committee in session, and
reported;
(b) it has been printed by the house in which it
originated prior to its passage therein;
(c) it has been read by its title, or its title has been
printed in a daily calendar, on three different
calendar days in each house; and
(d) upon its final passage a vote has been taken
thereon in each house, the name of each member
voting for and against recorded in the journal,
and a majority of those voting in each house,
which majority shall include at least two-fifths of
the members elected to that house, recorded in
the affirmative.
Only in the manner required in subparagraph (d) of
this section shall an amendment to a bill by one house be
concurred in by the other, or a conference report be
adopted by either house, or either house discharge a
committee from the consideration of a bill and consider
the same as if reported. The printing and reading, or
either, required in subparagraphs (b) and (c) of this
section, may be dispensed with in a bill to codify the laws
of the Commonwealth, and in the case of an emergency
by a vote of four-fifths of the members voting in each
house, the name of each member voting and how he
voted to be recorded in the journal.
No bill which creates or establishes a new office, or
which creates, continues, or revives a debt or charge, or
which makes, continues, or revives any appropriation of
public or trust money or property, or which releases,
discharges, or commutes any claim or demand of the
Commonwealth, or which imposes, continues, or revives
a tax, shall be passed except by the affirmative vote of a
majority of all the members elected to each house, the
name of each member voting and how he voted to be
recorded in the journal.
Every law imposing, continuing, or reviving a tax
shall specifically state such tax. However, any law by
which taxes are imposed may define or specify the subject
and provisions of such tax by reference to any provision
of the laws of the United States as those laws may be or
become effective at any time or from time to time, and
may prescribe exceptions or modifications to any such
provision.
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The presiding officer of each house or upon his
inability or failure to act a person designated by a major-
ity of the members elected to each house shall, not later
than three days after each bill is enrolled, sign each bill
that has been passed by both houses and duly enrolled.
The fact of signing shall be recorded in the journal.
The amendment ratified November 4, 1980 and effec-
tive January 1, 1981——In the last paragraph substituted
“or upon his inability or failure to act a person designated
by a majority of the members elected to each house shall,
not later than three days after each bill is enrolled, sign
each” for “shall, not later than twenty days after adjourn-
ment, sign every”.
Section 12. Form of laws.
No law shall embrace more than one object, which
shall be expressed in its title. Nor shall any law be revived
or amended with reference to its title, but the act revived
or the section amended shall be reenacted and published
at length.
Section 13. Effective date of laws.
All laws enacted at a regular session, including laws
which are enacted by reason of actions taken during the
reconvened session following a regular session, but ex-
cluding a general appropriation law, shall take effect on
the first day of July following the adjournment of the
session of the General Assembly at which it has been
enacted; and all laws enacted at a special session, includ-
ing laws which are enacted by reason of actions taken
during the reconvened session following a special ses-
sion but excluding a general appropriation law, shall take
effect on the first day of the fourth month following the
month of adjournment of the special session; unless in the
case of an emergency (which emergency shall be ex-
pressed in the body of the bill) the General Assembly
shall specify an earlier date by a vote of four-fifths of the
members voting in each house, the name of each member
voting and how he voted to be recorded in the journal, or
unless a subsequent date is specified in the body of the bill
or by general law.
The amendment ratified November 4, 1980 and effective
January 1, 1981 — Rewrote the section so that all laws enacted
at regular sessions and reconvened sessions which follow will
take effect on July 1 rather than on the first day of the fourth
month following the month of adjournment, and all laws
enacted at special sessions and reconvened sessions which
follow will take effect on the fourth month following the month
of adjournment, excluding the general appropriation laws.
Section 14. Powers of General Assembly; limita-
tions.
The authority of the General Assembly shall extend
to all subjects of legislation not herein forbidden or re-
stricted; and a specific grant of authority in this Constitu-
tion upon a subject shall not work a restriction of its
authority upon the same or any other subject. The omis-
sion in this Constitution of specific grants of authority
heretofore conferred shall not be construed to deprive the
General Assembly of such authority, or to indicate a
change of policy in reference thereto, unless such pur-
pose plainly appear.
The General Assembly shall confer on the courts
power to grant divorces, change the names of persons,
and direct the sales of estates belonging to infants and
other persons under legal disabilities, and shall not, by
special legislation, grant relief in these or other cases of
which the courts or other tribunals may have jurisdiction.
The General Assembly may regulate the exercise by
courts of the right to punish for contempt.
The General Assembly’s power to define the accrual
date for a civil action based on an intentional tort commit-
ted by a natural person against a person who, at the time
of the intentional tort, was a minor shall include the
power to provide for the retroactive application of a
change in the accrual date. No natural person shall have
a constitutionally protected property right to bar a cause
of action based on intentional torts as described herein on
the ground that a change in the accrual date for the action
has been applied retroactively or that a statute of limita-
tions or statute of repose has expired.
The General Assembly shall not enact any local,
special, or private law in the following cases:
(1) For the punishment of crime.
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(2) Providing a change of venue in civil or criminal
cases.
(3) Regulating the practice in, or the jurisdiction of,
or changing the rules of evidence in any judicial
proceedings or inquiry before the courts or other
tribunals, or providing or changing the methods
of collecting debts or enforcing judgments or
prescribing the effect of judicial sales of real
estate.
(4) Changing or locating county seats.
(5) For the assessment and collection of taxes, except
as to animals which the General Assembly may
deem dangerous to the farming interests.
(6) Extending the time for the assessment or collec-
tion of taxes.
(7) Exempting property from taxation.
(8) Remitting, releasing, postponing, or diminish-
ing any obligation or liability of any person,
corporation, or association to the Commonwealth
or to any political subdivision thereof.
(9) Refunding money lawfully paid into the trea-
sury of the Commonwealth or the treasury of
any political subdivision thereof.
(10) Granting from the treasury of the Common-
wealth, or granting or authorizing to be granted
from the treasury of any political subdivision
thereof, any extra compensation to any public
officer, servant, agent, or contractor.
(11) For registering voters, conducting elections, or
designating the places of voting.
(12) Regulating labor, trade, mining, or manufactur-
ing, or the rate of interest on money.
(13) Granting any pension.
(14) Creating, increasing, or decreasing, or authoriz-
ing to be created, increased, or decreased, the
salaries, fees, percentages, or allowances of pub-
lic officers during the term for which they are
elected or appointed.
(15) Declaring streams navigable, or authorizing the
construction of booms or dams therein, or the
removal of obstructions therefrom.
(16) Affecting or regulating fencing or the bound-
aries of land, or the running at large of stock.
(17) Creating private corporations, or amending, re-
newing, or extending the charters thereof.
(18) Granting to any private corporation, association,
or individual any special or exclusive right, privi-
lege, or immunity.
(19) Naming or changing the name of any private
corporation or association.
(20) Remitting the forfeiture of the charter of any
private corporation, except upon the condition
that such corporation shall thereafter hold its
charter subject to the provisions of this Constitu-
tion and the laws passed in pursuance thereof.
The General Assembly shall not grant a charter of
incorporation to any church or religious denomination,
but may secure the title to church property to an extent to
be limited by law.
The amendment ratified November 8, 1994 and effective
January 1, 1995 — Added a new paragraph after paragraph
three.
Section 15. General laws.
In all cases enumerated in the preceding section, and
in every other case which, in its judgment, may be pro-
vided for by general laws, the General Assembly shall
enact general laws. Any general law shall be subject to
amendment or repeal, but the amendment or partial
repeal thereof shall not operate directly or indirectly to
enact, and shall not have the effect of enactment of, a
special, private, or local law.
No general or special law shall surrender or suspend
the right and power of the Commonwealth, or any politi-
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cal subdivision thereof, to tax corporations and corporate
property, except as authorized by Article X. No private
corporation, association, or individual shall be specially
exempted from the operation of any general law, nor
shall a general law’s operation be suspended for the
benefit of any private corporation, association, or indi-
vidual.
Section 16. Appropriations to religious or chari-
table bodies.
The General Assembly shall not make any appro-
priation of public funds, personal property, or real estate
to any church or sectarian society, or any association or
institution of any kind whatever which is entirely or
partly, directly or indirectly, controlled by any church or
sectarian society. Nor shall the General Assembly make
any like appropriation to any charitable institution which
is not owned or controlled by the Commonwealth; the
General Assembly may, however, make appropriations
to nonsectarian institutions for the reform of youthful
criminals and may also authorize counties, cities, or
towns to make such appropriations to any charitable
institution or association.
Section 17. Impeachment.
The Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney Gen-
eral, judges, members of the State Corporation Commis-
sion, and all officers appointed by the Governor or elected
by the General Assembly, offending against the Com-
monwealth by malfeasance in office, corruption, neglect
of duty, or other high crime or misdemeanor may be
impeached by the House of Delegates and prosecuted
before the Senate, which shall have the sole power to try
impeachments. When sitting for that purpose, the sena-
tors shall be on oath or affirmation, and no person shall be
convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds of the
senators present. Judgment in case of impeachment shall
not extend further than removal from office and disquali-
fication to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust, or
profit under the Commonwealth; but the person con-
victed shall nevertheless be subject to indictment, trial,
judgment, and punishment according to law. The Senate
may sit during the recess of the General Assembly for the
trial of impeachments.
Section 18. Auditor of Public Accounts.
An Auditor of Public Accounts shall be elected by the
joint vote of the two houses of the General Assembly for
the term of four years. His powers and duties shall be
prescribed by law.
ARTICLE V — Executive
Section 1. Executive power; Governor’s term of
office.
The chief executive power of the Commonwealth
shall be vested in a Governor. He shall hold office for a
term commencing upon his inauguration on the Satur-
day after the second Wednesday in January, next suc-
ceeding his election, and ending in the fourth year there-
after immediately upon the inauguration of his succes-
sor. He shall be ineligible to the same office for the term
next succeeding that for which he was elected, and to any
other office during his term of service.
Section 2. Election of Governor.
The Governor shall be elected by the qualified voters
of the Commonwealth at the time and place of choosing
members of the General Assembly. Returns of the elec-
tion shall be transmitted, under seal, by the proper offic-
ers, to the State Board of Elections, or such other officer or
agency as may be designated by law, which shall cause
the returns to be opened and the votes to be counted in the
manner prescribed by law. The person having the high-
est number of votes shall be declared elected; but if two or
more shall have the highest and an equal number of
votes, one of them shall be chosen Governor by a majority
of the total membership of the General Assembly. Con-
tested elections for Governor shall be decided by a like
vote. The mode of proceeding in such cases shall be
prescribed by law.
Section 3. Qualifications of Governor.
No person except a citizen of the United States shall
be eligible to the office of Governor; nor shall any person
be eligible to that office unless he shall have attained the
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age of thirty years and have been a resident of the Com-
monwealth and a registered voter in the Commonwealth
for five years next preceding his election.
Section 4. Place of residence and compensation of
Governor.
The Governor shall reside at the seat of government.
He shall receive for his services a compensation to be
prescribed by law, which shall neither be increased nor
diminished during the period for which he shall have
been elected. While in office he shall receive no other
emolument from this or any other government.
Section 5. Legislative responsibilities of Governor.
The Governor shall communicate to the General
Assembly, at every regular session, the condition of the
Commonwealth, recommend to its consideration such
measures as he may deem expedient, and convene the
General Assembly on application of two-thirds of the
members elected to each house thereof, or when, in his
opinion, the interest of the Commonwealth may require.
Section 6. Presentation of bills; powers of Gover-
nor; vetoes and amendments.
(a) Every bill which passes the Senate and House of
Delegates, before it becomes law, shall be pre-
sented to the Governor.
(b) During a regular or special session, the Governor
shall have seven days in which to act on the bill
after it is presented to him and to exercise one of
the three options set out below. If the Governor
does not act on the bill, it shall become law
without his signature.
(i) The Governor may sign the bill if he ap-
proves it, and the bill shall become law.
(ii) The Governor may veto the bill if he objects
to it by returning the bill with his objections
to the house in which the bill originated. The
house shall enter the objections in its journal
and reconsider the bill. The house may
override the veto by a two-thirds vote of the
members present, which two-thirds shall
include a majority of the members elected to
that house. If the house of origin overrides
the Governor’s veto, it shall send the bill and
Governor’s objections to the other house
where the bill shall be reconsidered. The
second house may override the Governor’s
veto by a two-thirds vote of the members
present, which two-thirds shall include a
majority of the members elected to that house.
If both houses override the Governor’s veto,
the bill shall become law without his signa-
ture. If either house fails to override the
Governor’s veto, the veto shall stand and the
bill shall not become law.
(iii) The Governor may recommend one or more
specific and severable amendments to a bill
by returning it with his recommendation to
the house in which it originated. The house
shall enter the Governor’s recommendation
in its journal and reconsider the bill. If both
houses agree to the Governor’s entire recom-
mendation, the bill, as amended, shall be-
come law. Each house may agree to the
Governor’s amendments by a majority vote
of the members present. If both houses agree
to the bill in the form originally sent to the
Governor by a two-thirds vote of all mem-
bers present in each house, which two-thirds
shall include a majority of the members
elected to that house, the original bill shall
become law. If the Governor sends down
specific and severable amendments then each
house may determine, in accordance with its
own procedures, whether to act on the
Governor’s amendments en bloc or indi-
vidually, or any combination thereof. If the
house of origin agrees to one or more of the
Governor’s amendments, it shall send the
bill and the entire recommendation to the
other house. The second house may also
agree to one or more of the Governor’s
amendments. If either house fails to agree to
the Governor’s entire recommendation or
fails to agree to at least one of the Governor’s
amendments agreed to by the other house,
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the bill, as originally presented to the Gover-
nor, shall be returned to the Governor. If
both houses agree to one or more amend-
ments but not to the entire recommendation
of the Governor, the bill shall be reenrolled
with the Governor’s amendments agreed to
by both houses and shall be returned to the
Governor. If the Governor fails to send
down specific and severable amendments as
determined by the majority vote of the mem-
bers present in either house, then the bill
shall be before that house, in the form origi-
nally sent to the Governor and may be acted
upon in accordance with Article IV, Section
11 of this Constitution and returned to the
Governor. The Governor shall either sign or
veto a bill returned as provided in this sub-
section or, if there are fewer than seven days
remaining in the session, as provided in
subsection (c).
(c) When there are fewer than seven days remaining
in the regular or special session from the date a
bill is presented to the Governor and the General
Assembly adjourns to a reconvened session, the
Governor shall have thirty days from the date of
adjournment of the regular or special session in
which to act on the bills presented to him and to
exercise one of the three options set out below. If
the Governor does not act on any bill, it shall
become law without his signature.
(i) The Governor may sign the bill if he ap-
proves it, and the bill shall become law.
(ii) The Governor may veto the bill if he objects
to it by returning the bill with his objections
to the house in which the bill originated. The
same procedures for overriding his veto are
applicable as stated in subsection (b) for bills
vetoed during the session.
(iii) The Governor may recommend one or more
specific and severable amendments to a bill
by returning it with his recommendation to
the house in which it originated. The same
procedures for considering his recommen-
dation are applicable as stated in subsection
(b) (iii) for bills returned with his recommen-
dation. The Governor shall either sign or
veto a bill returned to him from a recon-
vened session. If the Governor vetoes the
bill, the veto shall stand and the bill shall not
become law. If the Governor does not act on
the bill within thirty days after the adjourn-
ment of the reconvened session, the bill shall
become law without his signature.
(d) The Governor shall have the power to veto any
particular item or items of an appropriation bill,
but the veto shall not affect the item or items to
which he does not object. The item or items
objected to shall not take effect except in the
manner provided in this section for a bill vetoed
by the Governor.
(e) In all cases set forth above, the names of the
members voting for and against the bill, the
amendment or amendments to the bill, or the
item or items of an appropriation bill shall be
entered on the journal of each house.
The amendment ratified November 8, 1994 and effective
January 1, 1995 — Rewrote the section to provide that the
Governor may offer only one set of amendments to any bill, to
require the Governor to take action to veto a bill, to allow the
General Assembly to sever the Governor’s amendments, acting
on them individually or en bloc, and to allow the General
Assembly to propose its own amendments if it determines the
Governor’s amendments are not severable. [The amendment to
this section ratified November 4, 1980 and effective January 1,
1981 was superseded by the 1994 amendment.]
Section 7. Executive and administrative powers.
The Governor shall take care that the laws be faith-
fully executed.
The Governor shall be commander-in-chief of the
armed forces of the Commonwealth and shall have power
to embody such forces to repel invasion, suppress insur-
rection, and enforce the execution of the laws.
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The Governor shall conduct, either in person or in
such manner as shall be prescribed by law, all intercourse
with other and foreign states.
The Governor shall have power to fill vacancies in all
offices of the Commonwealth for the filling of which the
Constitution and laws make no other provision. If such
office be one filled by the election of the people, the
appointee shall hold office until the next general election,
and thereafter until his successor qualifies, according to
law. The General Assembly shall, if it is in session, fill
vacancies in all offices which are filled by election by that
body.
Gubernatorial appointments to fill vacancies in of-
fices which are filled by election by the General Assembly
or by appointment by the Governor which is subject to
confirmation by the Senate or the General Assembly,
made during the recess of the General Assembly, shall
expire at the end of thirty days after the commencement
of the next session of the General Assembly.
Section 8. Information from administrative offic-
ers.
The Governor may require information in writing,
under oath, from any officer of any executive or admin-
istrative department, office, or agency, or any public
institution upon any subject relating to their respective
departments, offices, agencies, or public institutions; and
he may inspect at any time their official books, accounts,
and vouchers, and ascertain the conditions of the public
funds in their charge, and in that connection may employ
accountants. He may require the opinion in writing of the
Attorney General upon any question of law affecting the
official duties of the Governor.
Section 9. Administrative organization.
The functions, powers, and duties of the administra-
tive departments and divisions and of the agencies of the
Commonwealth within the legislative and executive
branches may be prescribed by law.
Section 10. Appointment and removal of adminis-
trative officers.
Except as may be otherwise provided in this Consti-
tution, the Governor shall appoint each officer serving as
the head of an administrative department or division of
the executive branch of the government, subject to such
confirmation as the General Assembly may prescribe.
Each officer appointed by the Governor pursuant to this
section shall have such professional qualifications as may
be prescribed by law and shall serve at the pleasure of the
Governor.
Section 11. Effect of refusal of General Assembly to
confirm an appointment by the Governor.
No person appointed to any office by the Governor,
whose appointment is subject to confirmation by the
General Assembly, under the provisions of this Constitu-
tion or any statute, shall enter upon, or continue in, office
after the General Assembly shall have refused to confirm
his appointment, nor shall such person be eligible for
reappointment during the recess of the General Assem-
bly to fill the vacancy caused by such refusal to confirm.
Section 12. Executive clemency.
The Governor shall have power to remit fines and
penalties under such rules and regulations as may be
prescribed by law; to grant reprieves and pardons after
conviction except when the prosecution has been carried
on by the House of Delegates; to remove political disabili-
ties consequent upon conviction for offenses committed
prior or subsequent to the adoption of this Constitution;
and to commute capital punishment.
He shall communicate to the General Assembly, at
each regular session, particulars of every case of fine or
penalty remitted, of reprieve or pardon granted, and of
punishment commuted, with his reasons for remitting,
granting, or commuting the same.
Section 13. Lieutenant Governor; election and quali-
fications.
A Lieutenant Governor shall be elected at the same
time and for the same term as the Governor, and his
qualifications and the manner and ascertainment of his
election, in all respects, shall be the same, except that
there shall be no limit on the terms of the Lieutenant
Governor.
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Section 14. Duties and compensation of Lieutenant
Governor.
The Lieutenant Governor shall be President of the
Senate but shall have no vote except in case of an equal
division. He shall receive for his services a compensation
to be prescribed by law, which shall not be increased nor
diminished during the period for which he shall have
been elected.
Section 15. Attorney General.
An Attorney General shall be elected by the qualified
voters of the Commonwealth at the same time and for the
same term as the Governor; and the fact of his election
shall be ascertained in the same manner. No person shall
be eligible for election or appointment to the office of
Attorney General unless he is a citizen of the United
States, has attained the age of thirty years, and has the
qualifications required for a judge of a court of record. He
shall perform such duties and receive such compensation
as may be prescribed by law, which compensation shall
neither be increased nor diminished during the period
for which he shall have been elected. There shall be no
limit on the terms of the Attorney General.
Section 16. Succession to the office of Governor.
When the Governor-elect is disqualified, resigns, or
dies following his election but prior to taking office, the
Lieutenant Governor-elect shall succeed to the office of
Governor for the full term. When the Governor-elect fails
to assume office for any other reason, the Lieutenant
Governor-elect shall serve as Acting Governor.
Whenever the Governor transmits to the President
pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House
of Delegates his written declaration that he is unable to
discharge the powers and duties of his office and until he
transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary,
such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Lieu-
tenant Governor as Acting Governor.
Whenever the Attorney General, the President pro
tempore of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of
Delegates, or a majority of the total membership of the
General Assembly, transmit to the Clerk of the Senate and
the Clerk of the House of Delegates their written declara-
tion that the Governor is unable to discharge the powers
and duties of his office, the Lieutenant Governor shall
immediately assume the powers and duties of the office
as Acting Governor.
Thereafter, when the Governor transmits to the Clerk
of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Delegates his
written declaration that no inability exists, he shall re-
sume the powers and duties of his office unless the
Attorney General, the President pro tempore of the Sen-
ate, and the Speaker of the House of Delegates, or a
majority of the total membership of the General Assem-
bly, transmit within four days to the Clerk of the Senate
and the Clerk of the House of Delegates their written
declaration that the Governor is unable to discharge the
powers and duties of his office. Thereupon the General
Assembly shall decide the issue, convening within forty-
eight hours for that purpose if not already in session. If
within twenty-one days after receipt of the latter declara-
tion or, if the General Assembly is not in session, within
twenty-one days after the General Assembly is required
to convene, the General Assembly determines by three-
fourths vote of the elected membership of each house of
the General Assembly that the Governor is unable to
discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Lieuten-
ant Governor shall become Governor; otherwise, the
Governor shall resume the powers and duties of his
office.
In the case of the removal of the Governor from office
or in the case of his disqualification, death, or resignation,
the Lieutenant Governor shall become Governor.
If a vacancy exists in the office of Lieutenant Gover-
nor when the Lieutenant Governor is to succeed to the
office of Governor or to serve as Acting Governor, the
Attorney General, if he is eligible to serve as Governor,
shall succeed to the office of Governor for the unexpired
term or serve as Acting Governor. If the Attorney General
is ineligible to serve as Governor, the Speaker of the
House of Delegates, if he is eligible to serve as Governor,
shall succeed to the office of Governor for the unexpired
term or serve as Acting Governor. If a vacancy exists in
the office of the Speaker of the House of Delegates or if the
Speaker of the House of Delegates is ineligible to serve as
Governor, the House of Delegates shall convene and fill
the vacancy.
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Section 17. Commissions and grants.
Commissions and grants shall run in the name of the
Commonwealth of Virginia, and be attested by the Gov-
ernor, with the seal of the Commonwealth annexed.
ARTICLE VI — Judiciary
Section 1. Judicial power; jurisdiction.
The judicial power of the Commonwealth shall be
vested in a Supreme Court and in such other courts of
original or appellate jurisdiction subordinate to the Su-
preme Court as the General Assembly may from time to
time establish. Trial courts of general jurisdiction, appel-
late courts, and such other courts as shall be so designated
by the General Assembly shall be known as courts of
record.
The Supreme Court shall, by virtue of this Constitu-
tion, have original jurisdiction in cases of habeas corpus,
mandamus, and prohibition, in matters of judicial cen-
sure, retirement, and removal under Section 10 of this
article, and to answer questions of state law certified by
a court of the United States or the highest appellate court
of any other state. All other jurisdiction of the Supreme
Court shall be appellate. Subject to such reasonable rules
as may be prescribed as to the course of appeals and other
procedural matters, the Supreme Court shall, by virtue of
this
Constitution, have appellate jurisdiction in cases in-
volving the constitutionality of a law under this Constitu-
tion or the Constitution of the United States and in cases
involving the life or liberty of any person.
The General Assembly may allow the Common-
wealth the right to appeal in all cases, including those
involving the life or liberty of a person, provided such
appeal would not otherwise violate this Constitution or
the Constitution of the United States.
Subject to the foregoing limitations, the General As-
sembly shall have the power to determine the original
and appellate jurisdiction of the courts of the Common-
wealth.
The amendment ratified November 4, 1986 and effective
December 1, 1986——In paragraph two, after “mandamus,
and prohibition” deleted “and” and added to the sentence “, and
to answer questions of state law certified by a court of the
United States . . .”.
The amendment ratified November 4, 1986 and effective
December 1, 1986——In paragraph three, after “relating to the
State revenue.” added the last sentence “The General Assembly
may also allow the Commonwealth . . .”.
The amendment ratified November 5, 1996 and effective
January 1, 1997——Deleted the third paragraph: “No appeal
shall be allowed to the Commonwealth . . .” and added a next-
to-the-last paragraph: “The General Assembly may allow the
Commonwealth . . .”.
Section 2. Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court shall consist of seven justices.
The General Assembly may, if three-fifths of the elected
membership of each house so vote at two successive
regular sessions, increase or decrease the number of
justices of the Court, provided that the Court shall consist
of no fewer than seven and no more than eleven justices.
The Court may sit and render final judgment en banc or
in divisions as may be prescribed by law. No decision
shall become the judgment of the Court, however, except
on the concurrence of at least three justices, and no law
shall be declared unconstitutional under either this Con-
stitution or the Constitution of the United States except
on the concurrence of at least a majority of all justices of
the Supreme Court.
Section 3. Selection of Chief Justice.
The Chief Justice shall be selected from among the
justices in a manner provided by law.
Section 4. Administration of the judicial system.
The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court shall be the
administrative head of the judicial system. He may tem-
porarily assign any judge of a court of record to any other
court of record except the Supreme Court and may assign
a retired judge of a court of record, with his consent, to
any court of record except the Supreme Court. The Gen-
eral Assembly may adopt such additional measures as it
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deems desirable for the improvement of the administra-
tion of justice by the courts and for the expedition of
judicial business.
Section 5. Rules of practice and procedure.
The Supreme Court shall have the authority to make
rules governing the course of appeals and the practice
and procedures to be used in the courts of the Common-
wealth, but such rules shall not be in conflict with the
general law as the same shall, from time to time, be
established by the General Assembly.
Section 6. Opinions and judgments of the Supreme
Court.
When a judgment or decree is reversed, modified, or
affirmed by the Supreme Court, or when original cases
are resolved on their merits, the reasons for the Court’s
action shall be stated in writing and preserved with the
record of the case. The Court may, but need not, remand
a case for a new trial. In any civil case, it may enter final
judgment, except that the award in a suit or action for
unliquidated damages shall not be increased or dimin-
ished.
Section 7. Selection and qualification of judges.
The justices of the Supreme Court shall be chosen by
the vote of a majority of the members elected to each
house of the General Assembly for terms of twelve years.
The judges of all other courts of record shall be chosen by
the vote of a majority of the members elected to each
house of the General Assembly for terms of eight years.
During any vacancy which may exist while the General
Assembly is not in session, the Governor may appoint a
successor to serve until thirty days after the commence-
ment of the next session of the General Assembly. Upon
election by the General Assembly, a new justice or judge
shall begin service of a full term.
All justices of the Supreme Court and all judges of
other courts of record shall be residents of the Common-
wealth and shall, at least five years prior to their appoint-
ment or election, have been admitted to the bar of the
Commonwealth. Each judge of a trial court of record shall
during his term of office reside within the jurisdiction of
one of the courts to which he was appointed or elected;
provided, however, that where the boundary of such
jurisdiction is changed by annexation or otherwise, no
judge thereof shall thereby become disqualified from
office or ineligible for reelection if, except for such annex-
ation or change, he would otherwise be qualified.
Section 8. Additional judicial personnel.
The General Assembly may provide for additional
judicial personnel, such as judges of courts not of record
and magistrates or justices of the peace, and may pre-
scribe their jurisdiction and provide the manner in which
they shall be selected and the terms for which they shall
serve.
The General Assembly may confer upon the clerks of
the several courts having probate jurisdiction, jurisdic-
tion of the probate of wills and of the appointment and
qualification of guardians, personal representatives, cu-
rators, appraisers, and committees of persons adjudged
insane or convicted of felony, and in the matter of the
substitution of trustees.
Section 9. Commission; compensation; retirement.
All justices of the Supreme Court and all judges of
other courts of record shall be commissioned by the
Governor. They shall receive such salaries and allow-
ances as shall be prescribed by the General Assembly,
which shall be apportioned between the Commonwealth
and its cities and counties in the manner provided by law.
Unless expressly prohibited or limited by the General
Assembly, cities and counties shall be permitted to supple-
ment from local funds the salaries of any judges serving
within their geographical boundaries. The salary of any
justice or judge shall not be diminished during his term of
office.
The General Assembly may enact such laws as it
deems necessary for the retirement of justices and judges,
with such conditions, compensation, and duties as it may
prescribe. The General Assembly may also provide for
the mandatory retirement of justices and judges after
they reach a prescribed age, beyond which they shall not
serve, regardless of the term to which elected or ap-
pointed.
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Section 10. Disabled and unfit judges.
The General Assembly shall create a Judicial Inquiry
and Review Commission consisting of members of the
judiciary, the bar, and the public and vested with the
power to investigate charges which would be the basis
for retirement, censure, or removal of a judge. The
Commission shall be authorized to conduct hearings and
to subpoena witnesses and documents. Proceedings and
documents before the Commission may be confidential
as provided by the General Assembly in general law.
If the Commission finds the charges to be well-
founded, it may file a formal complaint before the Su-
preme Court.
Upon the filing of a complaint, the Supreme Court
shall conduct a hearing in open court and, upon a finding
of disability which is or is likely to be permanent and
which seriously interferes with the performance by the
judge of his duties, shall retire the judge from office. A
judge retired under this authority shall be considered for
the purpose of retirement benefits to have retired volun-
tarily.
If the Supreme Court after the hearing on the com-
plaint finds that the judge has engaged in misconduct
while in office, or that he has persistently failed to per-
form the duties of his office, or that he has engaged in
conduct prejudicial to the proper administration of jus-
tice, it shall censure him or shall remove him from office.
A judge removed under this authority shall not be en-
titled to retirement benefits, but only to the return of
contributions made by him, together with any income
accrued thereon.
This section shall apply to justices of the Supreme
Court, to judges of other courts of record, and to members
of the State Corporation Commission. The General As-
sembly also may provide by general law for the retire-
ment, censure, or removal of judges of any court not of
record, or other personnel exercising judicial functions.
The amendment ratified November 3, 1998 and effective
January 1, 1999——In paragraph one, third sentence, after
“Proceedings”, added “and documents”, and substituted “Com-
mission may be confidential as provided by the General Assem-
bly in general law” for “Commission shall be confidential”.
Section 11. Incompatible activities.
No justice or judge of a court of record shall, during
his continuance in office, engage in the practice of law
within or without the Commonwealth, or seek or accept
any nonjudicial elective office, or hold any other office of
public trust, or engage in any other incompatible activity.
Section 12. Limitation; judicial appointment.
No judge shall be granted the power to make any
appointment of any local governmental official elected
by the voters except to fill a vacancy in office pending the
next ensuing general election or, if the vacancy occurs
within one hundred twenty days prior to such election,
pending the second ensuing general election, unless such
election falls within sixty days of the end of the term of the
office to be filled.
The amendment ratified November 2, 1976 and effective
January 1, 1977——At the end of the section, after the word
“election” added the language “, unless such election falls
within sixty days of the end of the term of the office to be filled”.
ARTICLE VII — Local Government
Section 1. Definitions.
As used in this article (1) “county” means any exist-
ing county or any such unit hereafter created, (2) “city”
means an independent incorporated community which
became a city as provided by law before noon on the first
day of July, nineteen hundred seventy-one, or which has
within defined boundaries a population of 5,000 or more
and which has become a city as provided by law, (3)
“town” means any existing town or an incorporated
community within one or more counties which became a
town before noon, July one, nineteen hundred seventy-
one, as provided by law or which has within defined
boundaries a population of 1,000 or more and which has
become a town as provided by law, (4) “regional govern-
ment” means a unit of general government organized as
provided by law within defined boundaries, as deter-
mined by the General Assembly, (5) “general law” means
a law which on its effective date applies alike to all
counties, cities, towns, or regional governments or to a
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reasonable classification thereof, and (6) “special act”
means a law applicable to a county, city, town, or regional
government and for enactment shall require an affirma-
tive vote of two-thirds of the members elected to each
house of the General Assembly.
The General Assembly may increase by general law
the population minima provided in this article for cities
and towns. Any county which on the effective date of this
Constitution had adopted an optional form of govern-
ment pursuant to a valid statute that does not meet the
general law requirements of this article may continue its
form of government without regard to such general law
requirements until it adopts a form of government pro-
vided in conformity with this article. In this article, when-
ever the General Assembly is authorized or required to
act by general law, no special act for that purpose shall be
valid unless this article so provides.
The amendment ratified November 7, 1972 — Added
language to the definition of city in (2) to include those
communities which became cities before July 1, 1971. Added
language to the definition of town in (3) to include those
communities which became towns before July 1, 1971.
Section 2. Organization and government.
The General Assembly shall provide by general law
for the organization, government, powers, change of
boundaries, consolidation, and dissolution of counties,
cities, towns, and regional governments. The General
Assembly may also provide by general law optional
plans of government for counties, cities, or towns to be
effective if approved by a majority vote of the qualified
voters voting on any such plan in any such county, city,
or town.
The General Assembly may also provide by special
act for the organization, government, and powers of any
county, city, town, or regional government, including
such powers of legislation, taxation, and assessment as
the General Assembly may determine, but no such spe-
cial act shall be adopted which provides for the extension
or contraction of boundaries of any county, city, or town.
Every law providing for the organization of a re-
gional government shall, in addition to any other require-
ments imposed by the General Assembly, require the
approval of the organization of the regional government
by a majority vote of the qualified voters voting thereon
in each county and city which is to participate in the
regional government and of the voters voting thereon in
a part of a county or city where only the part is to
participate.
Section 3. Powers.
The General Assembly may provide by general law
or special act that any county, city, town, or other unit of
government may exercise any of its powers or perform
any of its functions and may participate in the financing
thereof jointly or in cooperation with the Commonwealth
or any other unit of government within or without the
Commonwealth. The General Assembly may provide by
general law or special act for transfer to or sharing with a
regional government of any services, functions, and re-
lated facilities of any county, city, town, or other unit of
government within the boundaries of such regional gov-
ernment.
Section 4. County and city officers.
There shall be elected by the qualified voters of each
county and city a treasurer, a sheriff, an attorney for the
Commonwealth, a clerk, who shall be clerk of the court in
the office of which deeds are recorded, and a commis-
sioner of revenue. The duties and compensation of such
officers shall be prescribed by general law or special act.
Regular elections for such officers shall be held on
Tuesday after the first Monday in November. Such offic-
ers shall take office on the first day of the following
January unless otherwise provided by law and shall hold
their respective offices for the term of four years, except
that the clerk shall hold office for eight years.
The General Assembly may provide for county or
city officers or methods of their selection, including per-
mission for two or more units of government to share the
officers required by this section, without regard to the
provisions of this section, either (1) by general law to
become effective in any county or city when submitted to
the qualified voters thereof in an election held for such
purpose and approved by a majority of those voting
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thereon in each such county or city, or (2) by special act
upon the request, made after such an election, of each
county or city affected. No such law shall reduce the term
of any person holding an office at the time the election is
held. A county or city not required to have or to elect such
officers prior to the effective date of this Constitution
shall not be so required by this section.
The General Assembly may provide by general law
or special act for additional officers and for the terms of
their office.
Section 5. County, city, and town governing bodies.
The governing body of each county, city, or town
shall be elected by the qualified voters of such county,
city, or town in the manner provided by law.
If the members are elected by district, the district
shall be composed of contiguous and compact territory
and shall be so constituted as to give, as nearly as is
practicable, representation in proportion to the popula-
tion of the district. When members are so elected by
district, the governing body of any county, city, or town
may, in a manner provided by law, increase or diminish
the number, and change the boundaries, of districts, and
shall in 1971 and every ten years thereafter, and also
whenever the boundaries of such districts are changed,
reapportion the representation in the governing body
among the districts in a manner provided by law. When-
ever the governing body of any such unit shall fail to
perform the duties so prescribed in the manner herein
directed, a suit shall lie on behalf of any citizen thereof to
compel performance by the governing body.
Unless otherwise provided by law, the governing
body of each city or town shall be elected on the second
Tuesday in June and take office on the first day of the
following September. Unless otherwise provided by law,
the governing body of each county shall be elected on the
Tuesday after the first Monday in November and take
office on the first day of the following January.
Section 6. Multiple offices.
Unless two or more units exercise functions jointly as
authorized in Sections 3 and 4, no person shall at the same
time hold more than one office mentioned in this article.
No member of a governing body shall be eligible, during
the term of office for which he was elected or appointed,
to hold any office filled by the governing body by election
or appointment, except that a member of a governing
body may be named a member of such other boards,
commissions, and bodies as may be permitted by general
law and except that a member of a governing body may
be elected or appointed to fill a vacancy in the office of
mayor or board chairman if permitted by general law or
special act.
The amendment ratified November 6, 1984 and effective
January 1, 1985 —After “as may be permitted by general law”
added “and except that a member of a governing body may be
elected or appointed to fill a vacancy in the office of mayor or
board chairman if permitted by general law or special act”.
Section 7. Procedures.
No ordinance or resolution appropriating money
exceeding the sum of five hundred dollars, imposing
taxes, or authorizing the borrowing of money shall be
passed except by a recorded affirmative vote of a majority
of all members elected to the governing body. In case of
the veto of such an ordinance or resolution, where the
power of veto exists, it shall require for passage thereafter
a recorded affirmative vote of two-thirds of all members
elected to the governing body.
On final vote on any ordinance or resolution, the
name of each member voting and how he voted shall be
recorded.
Section 8. Consent to use public property.
No street railway, gas, water, steam or electric heat-
ing, electric light or power, cold storage, compressed air,
viaduct, conduit, telephone, or bridge company, nor any
corporation, association, person, or partnership engaged
in these or like enterprises shall be permitted to use the
streets, alleys, or public grounds of a city or town without
the previous consent of the corporate authorities of such
city or town.
Section 9. Sale of property and granting of fran-
chises by cities and towns.
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No rights of a city or town in and to its waterfront,
wharf property, public landings, wharves, docks, streets,
avenues, parks, bridges, or other public places, or its gas,
water, or electric works shall be sold except by an ordi-
nance or resolution passed by a recorded affirmative vote
of three-fourths of all members elected to the governing
body.
No franchise, lease, or right of any kind to use any
such public property or any other public property or
easement of any description in a manner not permitted to
the general public shall be granted for a longer period
than forty years, except for air rights together with ease-
ments for columns of support, which may be granted for
a period not exceeding sixty years. Before granting any
such franchise or privilege for a term in excess of five
years, except for a trunk railway, the city or town shall,
after due advertisement, publicly receive bids therefor.
Such grant, and any contract in pursuance thereof, may
provide that upon the termination of the grant, the plant
as well as the property, if any, of the grantee in the streets,
avenues, and other public places shall thereupon, with-
out compensation to the grantee, or upon the payment of
a fair valuation therefor, become the property of the said
city or town; but the grantee shall be entitled to no
payment by reason of the value of the franchise. Any such
plant or property acquired by a city or town may be sold
or leased or, unless prohibited by general law, main-
tained, controlled, and operated by such city or town.
Every such grant shall specify the mode of determining
any valuation therein provided for and shall make ad-
equate provisions by way of forfeiture of the grant, or
otherwise, to secure efficiency of public service at reason-
able rates and the maintenance of the property in good
order throughout the term of the grant.
Section 10. Debt.
(a) No city or town shall issue any bonds or other
interest-bearing obligations which, including
existing indebtedness, shall at any time exceed
ten per centum of the assessed valuation of the
real estate in the city or town subject to taxation,
as shown by the last preceding assessment for
taxes. In determining the limitation for a city or
town there shall not be included the following
classes of indebtedness:
(1) Certificates of indebtedness, revenue bonds,
or other obligations issued in anticipation of
the collection of the revenues of such city or
town for the then current year; provided that
such certificates, bonds, or other obligations
mature within one year from the date of their
issue, be not past due, and do not exceed the
revenue for such year.
(2) Bonds pledging the full faith and credit of
such city or town authorized by an ordi-
nance enacted in accordance with Section 7,
and approved by the affirmative vote of the
qualified voters of the city or town voting
upon the question of their issuance, for a
supply of water or other specific undertak-
ing from which the city or town may derive
a revenue; but from and after a period to be
determined by the governing body not ex-
ceeding five years from the date of such
election, whenever and for so long as such
undertaking fails to produce sufficient rev-
enue to pay for cost of operation and admin-
istration (including interest on bonds issued
therefor), the cost of insurance against loss
by injury to persons or property, and an
annual amount to be placed into a sinking
fund sufficient to pay the bonds at or before
maturity, all outstanding bonds issued on
account of such undertaking shall be in-
cluded in determining such limitation.
(3) Bonds of a city or town the principal and
interest on which are payable exclusively
from the revenues and receipts of a water
system or other specific undertaking or un-
dertakings from which the city or town may
derive a revenue or secured, solely or to-
gether with such revenues, by contributions
of other units of government.
(4) Contract obligations of a city or town to
provide payments over a period of more
than one year to any publicly owned or
controlled regional project, if the project has
been authorized by an interstate compact or
if the General Assembly by general law or
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special act has authorized an exclusion for
such project purposes.
(b) No debt shall be contracted by or on behalf of any
county or district thereof or by or on behalf of any
regional government or district thereof except
by authority conferred by the General Assembly
by general law. The General Assembly shall not
authorize any such debt, except the classes de-
scribed in paragraphs (1) and (3) of subsection
(a), refunding bonds, and bonds issued, with the
consent of the school board and the governing
body of the county, by or on behalf of a county or
district thereof for capital projects for school
purposes and sold to the Literary Fund, the
Virginia Supplemental Retirement System, or
other State agency prescribed by law, unless in
the general law authorizing the same, provision
be made for submission to the qualified voters of
the county or district thereof or the region or
district thereof, as the case may be, for approval
or rejection by a majority vote of the qualified
voters voting in an election on the question of
contracting such debt. Such approval shall be a
prerequisite to contracting such debt.
Any county may, upon approval by the affirmative
vote of the qualified voters of the county voting in an
election on the question, elect to be treated as a city for the
purposes of issuing its bonds under this section. If a
county so elects, it shall thereafter be subject to all of the
benefits and limitations of this section applicable to cities,
but in determining the limitation for a county there shall
be included, unless otherwise excluded under this sec-
tion, indebtedness of any town or district in that county
empowered to levy taxes on real estate.
The amendment ratified November 4, 1980 and effective
January 1, 1981 — In subsection (a) substituted “ten per
centum” for “eighteen per centum”.
ARTICLE VIII — Education
Section 1. Public schools of high quality to be
maintained.
The General Assembly shall provide for a system of
free public elementary and secondary schools for all
children of school age throughout the Commonwealth,
and shall seek to ensure that an educational program of
high quality is established and continually maintained.
Section 2. Standards of quality; State and local
support of public schools.
Standards of quality for the several school divisions
shall be determined and prescribed from time to time by
the Board of Education, subject to revision only by the
General Assembly.
The General Assembly shall determine the manner in
which funds are to be provided for the cost of maintain-
ing an educational program meeting the prescribed stan-
dards of quality, and shall provide for the apportionment
of the cost of such program between the Commonwealth
and the local units of government comprising such school
divisions. Each unit of local government shall provide its
portion of such cost by local taxes or from other available
funds.
Section 3. Compulsory education; free textbooks.
The General Assembly shall provide for the compul-
sory elementary and secondary education of every eli-
gible child of appropriate age, such eligibility and age to
be determined by law. It shall ensure that textbooks are
provided at no cost to each child attending public school
whose parent or guardian is financially unable to furnish
them.
Section 4. Board of Education.
The general supervision of the public school system
shall be vested in a Board of Education of nine members,
to be appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation
by the General Assembly. Each appointment shall be for
four years, except that those to fill vacancies shall be for
the unexpired terms. Terms shall be staggered, so that no
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more than three regular appointments shall be made in
the same year.
Section 5. Powers and duties of the Board of Educa-
tion.
The powers and duties of the Board of Education
shall be as follows:
(a) Subject to such criteria and conditions as the
General Assembly may prescribe, the Board shall
divide the Commonwealth into school divisions
of such geographical area and school-age popu-
lation as will promote the realization of the pre-
scribed standards of quality, and shall periodi-
cally review the adequacy of existing school
divisions for this purpose.
(b) It shall make annual reports to the Governor and
the General Assembly concerning the condition
and needs of public education in the Common-
wealth, and shall in such report identify any
school divisions which have failed to establish
and maintain schools meeting the prescribed
standards of quality.
(c) It shall certify to the school board of each division
a list of qualified persons for the office of division
superintendent of schools, one of whom shall be
selected to fill the post by the division school
board. In the event a division school board fails
to select a division superintendent within the
time prescribed by law, the Board of Education
shall appoint him.
(d) It shall have authority to approve textbooks and
instructional aids and materials for use in courses
in the public schools of the Commonwealth.
(e) Subject to the ultimate authority of the General
Assembly, the Board shall have primary respon-
sibility and authority for effectuating the educa-
tional policy set forth in this article, and it shall
have such other powers and duties as may be
prescribed by law.
Section 6. Superintendent of Public Instruction.
A Superintendent of Public Instruction, who shall be
an experienced educator, shall be appointed by the Gov-
ernor, subject to confirmation by the General Assembly,
for a term coincident with that of the Governor making
the appointment, but the General Assembly may alter by
statute this method of selection and term of office. The
powers and duties of the Superintendent shall be pre-
scribed by law.
Section 7. School boards.
The supervision of schools in each school division
shall be vested in a school board, to be composed of
members selected in the manner, for the term, possessing
the qualifications, and to the number provided by law.
Section 8. The Literary Fund.
The General Assembly shall set apart as a permanent
and perpetual school fund the present Literary Fund; the
proceeds of all public lands donated by Congress for free
public school purposes, of all escheated property, of all
waste and unappropriated lands, of all property accruing
to the Commonwealth by forfeiture except as hereinafter
provided, of all fines collected for offenses committed
against the Commonwealth, and of the annual interest on
the Literary Fund; and such other sums as the General
Assembly may appropriate. But so long as the principal
of the Fund totals as much as eighty million dollars, the
General Assembly may set aside all or any part of addi-
tional moneys received into its principal for public school
purposes, including the teachers retirement fund.
The General Assembly may provide by general law
an exemption from this section for the proceeds from the
sale of all property seized and forfeited to the Common-
wealth for a violation of the criminal laws of this Com-
monwealth proscribing the manufacture, sale or distri-
bution of a controlled substance or marijuana. Such
proceeds shall be paid into the state treasury and shall be
distributed by law for the purpose of promoting law
enforcement.
The Literary Fund shall be held and administered by
the Board of Education in such manner as may be pro-
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vided by law. The General Assembly may authorize the
Board to borrow other funds against assets of the Literary
Fund as collateral, such borrowing not to involve the full
faith and credit of the Commonwealth.
The principal of the Fund shall include assets of the
Fund in other funds or authorities which are repayable to
the Fund.
The amendment ratified November 6, 1990 and effective
January 1, 1991 — In paragraph one, after “forfeiture” added
“except as hereinafter provided”. Added a new paragraph after
paragraph one.
Section 9. Other educational institutions.
The General Assembly may provide for the establish-
ment, maintenance, and operation of any educational
institutions which are desirable for the intellectual, cul-
tural, and occupational development of the people of this
Commonwealth. The governance of such institutions,
and the status and powers of their boards of visitors or
other governing bodies, shall be as provided by law.
Section 10. State appropriations prohibited to
schools or institutions of learning not owned or exclu-
sively controlled by the State or some subdivision
thereof; exceptions to rule.
No appropriation of public funds shall be made to
any school or institution of learning not owned or exclu-
sively controlled by the State or some political subdivi-
sion thereof; provided, first, that the General Assembly
may, and the governing bodies of the several counties,
cities and towns may, subject to such limitations as may
be imposed by the General Assembly, appropriate funds
for educational purposes which may be expended in
furtherance of elementary, secondary, collegiate or gradu-
ate education of Virginia students in public and nonsec-
tarian private schools and institutions of learning, in
addition to those owned or exclusively controlled by the
State or any such county, city or town; second, that the
General Assembly may appropriate funds to an agency,
or to a school or institution of learning owned or con-
trolled by an agency, created and established by two or
more States under a joint agreement to which this State is
a party for the purpose of providing educational facilities
for the citizens of the several States joining in such agree-
ment; third, that counties, cities, towns, and districts may
make appropriations to nonsectarian schools of manual,
industrial, or technical training, and also to any school or
institution of learning owned or exclusively controlled
by such county, city, town, or school district.
Section 11. Aid to nonpublic higher education.
The General Assembly may provide for loans to, and
grants to or on behalf of, students attending nonprofit
institutions of higher education in the Commonwealth
whose primary purpose is to provide collegiate or gradu-
ate education and not to provide religious training or
theological education. The General Assembly may also
provide for a State agency or authority to assist in bor-
rowing money for construction of educational facilities at
such institutions, provided that the Commonwealth shall
not be liable for any debt created by such borrowing. The
General Assembly may also provide for the Common-
wealth or any political subdivision thereof to contract
with such institutions for the provision of educational or
other related services.
The amendment ratified November 5, 1974 and effective
January 1, 1975 — Provided for “grants to or on behalf of” in
addition to loans to students, in the first sentence. Added the
last sentence to permit “the Commonwealth or any political
subdivision thereof to contract with” nonprofit institutions of
higher education.
ARTICLE IX — Corporations
Section 1. State Corporation Commission.
There shall be a permanent commission which shall
be known as the State Corporation Commission and
which shall consist of three members. The General As-
sembly may, by majority vote of the members elected to
each house, increase the size of the Commission to no
more than five members. Members of the Commission
shall be elected by the General Assembly and shall serve
for regular terms of six years. At least one member of the
Commission shall have the qualifications prescribed for
judges of courts of record, and any Commissioner may be
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impeached or removed in the manner provided for the
impeachment or removal of judges of courts of record.
The General Assembly may enact such laws as it deems
necessary for the retirement of the Commissioners, with
such conditions, compensation, and duties as it may
prescribe. The General Assembly may also provide for
the mandatory retirement of Commissioners after they
reach a prescribed age, beyond which they shall not
serve, regardless of the term to which elected or ap-
pointed. Whenever a vacancy in the Commission shall
occur or exist when the General Assembly is in session,
the General Assembly shall elect a successor for such
unexpired term. If the General
Assembly is not in session, the Governor shall forth-
with appoint pro tempore a qualified person to fill the
vacancy for a term ending thirty days after the com-
mencement of the next regular session of the General
Assembly and the General Assembly shall elect a succes-
sor for such unexpired term.
The Commission shall annually elect one of its mem-
bers chairman. Its subordinates and employees, and the
manner of their appointment and removal, shall be as
provided by law, except that its heads of divisions and
assistant heads of divisions shall be appointed and sub-
ject to removal by the Commission.
Section 2. Powers and duties of the Commission.
Subject to the provisions of this Constitution and to
such requirements as may be prescribed by law, the
Commission shall be the department of government
through which shall be issued all charters, and amend-
ments or extensions thereof, of domestic corporations
and all licenses of foreign corporations to do business in
this Commonwealth.
Except as may be otherwise prescribed by this Con-
stitution or by law, the Commission shall be charged with
the duty of administering the laws made in pursuance of
this Constitution for the regulation and control of corpo-
rations doing business in this Commonwealth. Subject to
such criteria and other requirements as may be pre-
scribed by law, the Commission shall have the power and
be charged with the duty of regulating the rates, charges,
and services and, except as may be otherwise authorized
by this Constitution or by general law, the facilities of
railroad, telephone, gas, and electric companies.
The Commission shall in proceedings before it en-
sure that the interests of the consumers of the Common-
wealth are represented, unless the General Assembly
otherwise provides for representation of such interests.
The Commission shall have such other powers and
duties not inconsistent with this Constitution as may be
prescribed by law.
Section 3. Procedures of the Commission.
Before promulgating any general order, rule, or regu-
lation, the Commission shall give reasonable notice of its
contents.
In all matters within the jurisdiction of the Commis-
sion, it shall have the powers of a court of record to
administer oaths, to compel the attendance of witnesses
and the production of documents, to punish for con-
tempt, and to enforce compliance with its lawful orders
or requirements by adjudging and enforcing by its own
appropriate process such fines or other penalties as may
be prescribed or authorized by law. Before the Commis-
sion shall enter any finding, order, or judgment against a
party it shall afford such party reasonable notice of the
time and place at which he shall be afforded an opportu-
nity to introduce evidence and be heard.
The Commission may prescribe its own rules of
practice and procedure not inconsistent with those made
by the General Assembly. The General Assembly shall
have the power to adopt such rules, to amend, modify, or
set aside the Commission’s rules, or to substitute rules of
its own.
Section 4. Appeals from actions of the Commis-
sion.
The Commonwealth, any party in interest, or any
party aggrieved by any final finding, order, or judgment
of the Commission shall have, of right, an appeal to the
Supreme Court. The method of taking and prosecuting
an appeal from any action of the Commission shall be
prescribed by law or by the rules of the Supreme Court.
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All appeals from the Commission shall be to the Supreme
Court only.
No other court of the Commonwealth shall have
jurisdiction to review, reverse, correct, or annul any
action of the Commission or to enjoin or restrain it in the
performance of its official duties, provided, however,
that the writs of mandamus and prohibition shall lie from
the Supreme Court to the Commission.
Section 5. Foreign corporations.
No foreign corporation shall be authorized to carry
on in this Commonwealth the business of, or to exercise
any of the powers or functions of, a public service enter-
prise, or be permitted to do anything which domestic
corporations are prohibited from doing, or be relieved
from compliance with any of the requirements made of
similar domestic corporations by the Constitution and
laws of this Commonwealth. However, nothing in this
section shall restrict the power of the General Assembly
to enact such laws specially applying to foreign corpora-
tions as the General Assembly may deem appropriate.
Section 6. Corporations subject to general laws.
The creation of corporations, and the extension and
amendment of charters whether heretofore or hereafter
granted, shall be provided for by general law, and no
charter shall be granted, amended, or extended by special
act, nor shall authority in such matters be conferred upon
any tribunal or officer, except to ascertain whether the
applicants have, by complying with the requirements of
the law, entitled themselves to the charter, amendment,
or extension applied for and to issue or refuse the same
accordingly. Such general laws may be amended, re-
pealed, or modified by the General Assembly. Every
corporation chartered in this Commonwealth shall be
deemed to hold its charter and all amendments thereof
under the provisions of, and subject to all the require-
ments, terms, and conditions of, this Constitution and
any laws passed in pursuance thereof. The police power
of the Commonwealth to regulate the affairs of corpora-
tions, the same as individuals, shall never be abridged.
Section 7. Exclusions from term “corporation” or
“company.”
The term “corporation” or “company” as used in this
article shall exclude all municipal corporations, other
political subdivisions, and public institutions owned or
controlled by the Commonwealth.
ARTICLE X — Taxation and Finance
Section 1. Taxable property; uniformity; classifica-
tion and segregation.
All property, except as hereinafter provided, shall be
taxed. All taxes shall be levied and collected under gen-
eral laws and shall be uniform upon the same class of
subjects within the territorial limits of the authority levy-
ing the tax, except that the General Assembly may pro-
vide for differences in the rate of taxation to be imposed
upon real estate by a city or town within all or parts of
areas added to its territorial limits, or by a new unit of
general government, within its area, created by or encom-
passing two or more, or parts of two or more, existing
units of general government. Such differences in the rate
of taxation shall bear a reasonable relationship to differ-
ences between nonrevenue-producing governmental ser-
vices giving land urban character which are furnished in
one or several areas in contrast to the services furnished
in other areas of such unit of government.
The General Assembly may by general law and within
such restrictions and upon such conditions as may be
prescribed authorize the governing body of any county,
city, town or regional government to provide for differ-
ences in the rate of taxation imposed upon tangible
personal property owned by persons not less than sixty-
five years of age or persons permanently and totally
disabled as established by general law who are deemed
by the General Assembly to be bearing an extraordinary
tax burden on said tangible personal property in relation
to their income and financial worth.
The General Assembly may define and classify tax-
able subjects. Except as to classes of property herein
expressly segregated for either State or local taxation, the
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General Assembly may segregate the several classes of
property so as to specify and determine upon what
subjects State taxes, and upon what subjects local taxes,
may be levied.
The amendment ratified November 6, 1990 and effective
January 1, 1991 — Added a new paragraph after paragraph
one.
Section 2. Assessments.
All assessments of real estate and tangible personal
property shall be at their fair market value, to be ascer-
tained as prescribed by law. The General Assembly may
define and classify real estate devoted to agricultural,
horticultural, forest, or open space uses, and may by
general law authorize any county, city, town, or regional
government to allow deferral of, or relief from, portions
of taxes otherwise payable on such real estate if it were
not so classified, provided the General Assembly shall
first determine that classification of such real estate for
such purpose is in the public interest for the preservation
or conservation of real estate for such uses. In the event
the General Assembly defines and classifies real estate for
such purposes, it shall prescribe the limits, conditions,
and extent of such deferral or relief. No such deferral or
relief shall be granted within the territorial limits of any
county, city, town, or regional government except by
ordinance adopted by the governing body thereof.
So long as the Commonwealth shall levy upon any
public service corporation a State franchise, license, or
other similar tax based upon or measured by its gross
receipts or gross earnings, or any part thereof, its real
estate and tangible personal property shall be assessed by
a central State agency, as prescribed by law.
Section 3. Taxes or assessments upon abutting
property owners.
The General Assembly by general law may authorize
any county, city, town, or regional government to impose
taxes or assessments upon abutting property owners for
such local public improvements as may be designated by
the General Assembly; however, such taxes or assess-
ments shall not be in excess of the peculiar benefits
resulting from the improvements to such abutting prop-
erty owners.
Section 4. Property segregated for local taxation;
exceptions.
Real estate, coal and other mineral lands, and tan-
gible personal property, except the rolling stock of public
service corporations, are hereby segregated for, and made
subject to, local taxation only, and shall be assessed for
local taxation in such manner and at such times as the
General Assembly may prescribe by general law.
Section 5. Franchise taxes; taxation of corporate
stock.
The General Assembly, in imposing a franchise tax
upon corporations, may in its discretion make the same in
lieu of taxes upon other property, in whole or in part, of
such corporations. Whenever a franchise tax shall be
imposed upon a corporation doing business in this Com-
monwealth, or whenever all the capital, however in-
vested, of a corporation chartered under the laws of this
Commonwealth shall be taxed, the shares of stock issued
by any such corporation shall not be further taxed.
Section 6. Exempt property.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this Constitu-
tion, the following property and no other shall be
exempt from taxation, State and local, including
inheritance taxes:
(1) Property owned directly or indirectly by the
Commonwealth or any political subdivision
thereof, and obligations of the Common-
wealth or any political subdivision thereof
exempt by law.
(2) Real estate and personal property owned
and exclusively occupied or used by churches
or religious bodies for religious worship or
for the residences of their ministers.
(3) Private or public burying grounds or cem-
eteries, provided the same are not operated
for profit.
(4) Property owned by public libraries or by
institutions of learning not conducted for
profit, so long as such property is primarily
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used for literary, scientific, or educational
purposes or purposes incidental thereto. This
provision may also apply to leasehold inter-
ests in such property as may be provided by
general law.
(5) Intangible personal property, or any class or
classes thereof, as may be exempted in whole
or in part by general law.
(6) Property used by its owner for religious,
charitable, patriotic, historical, benevolent,
cultural, or public park and playground
purposes, as may be provided by classifica-
tion or designation by a three-fourths vote of
the members elected to each house of the
General Assembly and subject to such re-
strictions and conditions as may be pre-
scribed.
(7) Land subject to a perpetual easement per-
mitting inundation by water as may be ex-
empted in whole or in part by general law.
(b) The General Assembly may by general law au-
thorize the governing body of any county, city,
town, or regional government to provide for the
exemption from local property taxation, or a
portion thereof, within such restrictions and upon
such conditions as may be prescribed, of real
estate and personal property designed for con-
tinuous habitation owned by, and occupied as
the sole dwelling of, persons not less than sixty-
five years of age or persons permanently and
totally disabled as established by general law
who are deemed by the General Assembly to be
bearing an extraordinary tax burden on said
property in relation to their income and financial
worth.
(c) Except as to property of the Commonwealth, the
General Assembly by general law may restrict or
condition, in whole or in part, but not extend, any
or all of the above exemptions.
(d) The General Assembly may define as a separate
subject of taxation any property, including real
or personal property, equipment, facilities, or
devices, used primarily for the purpose of abat-
ing or preventing pollution of the atmosphere or
waters of the Commonwealth or for the purpose
of transferring or storing solar energy, and by
general law may allow the governing body of
any county, city, town, or regional government
to exempt or partially exempt such property
from taxation, or by general law may directly
exempt or partially exempt such property from
taxation.
(e) The General Assembly may define as a separate
subject of taxation household goods, personal
effects and tangible farm property and products,
and by general law may allow the governing
body of any county, city, town, or regional gov-
ernment to exempt or partially exempt such
property from taxation, or by general law may
directly exempt or partially exempt such prop-
erty from taxation.
(f) Exemptions of property from taxation as estab-
lished or authorized hereby shall be strictly con-
strued; provided, however, that all property ex-
empt from taxation on the effective date of this
section shall continue to be exempt until other-
wise provided by the General Assembly as herein
set forth.
(g) The General Assembly may by general law autho-
rize any county, city, town, or regional govern-
ment to impose a service charge upon the owners
of a class or classes of exempt property for ser-
vices provided by such governments.
(h) The General Assembly may by general law autho-
rize the governing body of any county, city,
town, or regional government to provide for a
partial exemption from local real property taxa-
tion, within such restrictions and upon such
conditions as may be prescribed, of real estate
whose improvements, by virtue of age and use,
have undergone substantial renovation, reha-
bilitation or replacement.
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(i) The General Assembly may by general law allow
the governing body of any county, city, or town
to exempt or partially exempt from taxation any
generating equipment installed after December
thirty-one, nineteen hundred seventy-four, for
the purpose of converting from oil or natural gas
to coal or to wood, wood bark, wood residue, or
to any other alternate energy source for manu-
facturing, and any co-generation equipment in-
stalled since such date for use in manufacturing.
(j) The General Assembly may by general law allow
the governing body of any county, city, or town
to have the option to exempt or partially exempt
from taxation any business, occupational or pro-
fessional license or any merchants’ capital, or
both.
The amendment ratified November 2, 1976 and effective
January 1, 1977 — After (a)(6) added subdivision “(7) Land
subject to a perpetual easement . . .”. In subsection (b) after
“sixty-five years of age” added the language “or persons
permanently and totally disabled as established by general
law”. In subsection (d) after “Commonwealth” added the
language “or for the purpose of transferring or storing solar
energy”. In subsection (e) after “personal effects” added the
language “and tangible farm property and products”.
The amendment ratified November 7, 1978 and effective
January 1, 1979 — Added a new subsection (h).
The amendment ratified November 4, 1980 and effective
January 1, 1981 — In subsection (b) substituted “exemption
from local property taxation” for “exemption from local real
property taxation”. After “of real estate” added “and personal
property designed for continuous habitation”. Substituted
“property” for “real estate” near the end of subsection (b).
The amendment ratified November 4, 1980 and effective
January 1, 1981 — Added a new subsection (i).
The amendment ratified November 3, 1998 and effective
January 1, 1999 — Added a new subsection (j).
Section 7. Collection and disposition of State rev-
enues.
All taxes, licenses, and other revenues of the Com-
monwealth shall be collected by its proper officers and
paid into the State treasury. No money shall be paid out
of the State treasury except in pursuance of appropria-
tions made by law; and no such appropriation shall be
made which is payable more than two years and six
months after the end of the session of the General Assem-
bly at which the law is enacted authorizing the same.
Other than as may be provided for in the debt provi-
sions of this Constitution, the Governor, subject to such
criteria as may be established by the General Assembly,
shall ensure that no expenses of the Commonwealth be
incurred which exceed total revenues on hand and antici-
pated during a period not to exceed the two years and six
months period established by this section of the Constitu-
tion.
The amendment ratified November 6, 1984 and effective
July 1, 1986 — Added the second paragraph.
Section 8. Limit of tax or revenue.
No other or greater amount of tax or revenues shall,
at any time, be levied than may be required for the
necessary expenses of the government, or to pay the
indebtedness of the Commonwealth.
The General Assembly shall establish the Revenue
Stabilization Fund. The Fund shall consist of an amount
not to exceed ten percent of the Commonwealth’s aver-
age annual tax revenues derived from taxes on income
and retail sales as certified by the Auditor of Public
Accounts for the three fiscal years immediately preced-
ing. The Auditor of Public Accounts shall compute the
ten percent limitation of such fund annually and report to
the General Assembly not later than the first day of
December. “Certified tax revenues” means the
Commonwealth’s annual tax revenues derived from taxes
on income and retail sales as certified by the Auditor of
Public Accounts.
The General Assembly shall make deposits to the
Fund to equal at least fifty percent of the product of the
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certified tax revenues collected in the most recently ended
fiscal year times the difference between the annual per-
centage increase in the certified tax revenues collected for
the most recently ended fiscal year and the average
annual percentage increase in the certified tax revenues
collected in the six fiscal years immediately preceding the
most recently ended fiscal year. However, growth in
certified tax revenues, which is the result of either in-
creases in tax rates on income or retail sales or the repeal
of exemptions therefrom, may be excluded, in whole or in
part, from the computation immediately preceding for a
period of time not to exceed six calendar years from the
calendar year in which such tax rate increase or exemp-
tion repeal was effective. Additional appropriations may
be made at any time so long as the ten percent limitation
established herein is not exceeded. All interest earned on
the Fund shall be part thereof; however, if the Fund’s
balance exceeds the limitation, the amount in excess of
the limitation shall be paid into the general fund after
appropriation by the General Assembly.
The General Assembly may appropriate an amount
for transfer from the Fund to compensate for no more
than one-half of the difference between the total general
fund revenues appropriated and a revised general fund
revenue forecast presented to the General Assembly prior
to or during a subsequent regular or special legislative
session. However, no transfer shall be made unless the
general fund revenues appropriated exceed such revised
general fund revenue forecast by more than two percent
of certified tax revenues collected in the most recently
ended fiscal year.
Furthermore, no appropriation or transfer from such
fund in any fiscal year shall exceed more than one-half of
the balance of the Revenue Stabilization Fund. The
General Assembly may enact such laws as may be neces-
sary and appropriate to implement the Fund.
The amendment ratified November 3, 1992 and effective
January 1, 1993 — Added the second, third, and fourth para-
graphs.
Section 9. State debt.
No debt shall be contracted by or in behalf of the
Commonwealth except as provided herein.
(a) Debts to meet emergencies and redeem previous
debt obligations.
The General Assembly may (1) contract debts to
suppress insurrection, repel invasion, or defend the Com-
monwealth in time of war; (2) contract debts, or may
authorize the Governor to contract debts, to meet casual
deficits in the revenue or in anticipation of the collection
of revenues of the Commonwealth for the then current
fiscal year within the amount of authorized appropria-
tions, provided that the total of such indebtedness shall
not exceed thirty per centum of an amount equal to 1.15
times the average annual tax revenues of the Common-
wealth derived from taxes on income and retail sales, as
certified by the Auditor of Public Accounts, for the pre-
ceding fiscal year and that each such debt shall mature
within twelve months from the date such debt is in-
curred; and (3) contract debts to redeem a previous debt
obligation of the Commonwealth.
The full faith and credit of the Commonwealth shall
be pledged to any debt created under this subsection. The
amount of such debt shall not be included in the limita-
tions on debt hereinafter established, except that the
amount of debt incurred pursuant to clause (3) above
shall be included in determining the limitation on the
aggregate amount of general obligation debt for capital
projects permitted elsewhere in this article unless the
debt so incurred pursuant to clause (3) above is secured
by a pledge of net revenues from capital projects of
institutions or agencies administered solely by the execu-
tive department of the Commonwealth or of institutions
of higher learning of the Commonwealth, which net
revenues the Governor shall certify are anticipated to be
sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on such debt
and to provide such reserves as the law authorizing the
same may require, in which event the amount thereof
shall be included in determining the limitation on the
aggregate amount of debt contained in the provision of
this article which authorizes general obligation debt for
certain revenue-producing capital projects.
(b) General obligation debt for capital projects and
sinking fund.
The General Assembly may, upon the affirmative
vote of a majority of the members elected to each house,
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authorize the creation of debt to which the full faith and
credit of the Commonwealth is pledged, for capital projects
to be distinctly specified in the law authorizing the same;
provided that any such law shall specify capital projects
constituting a single purpose and shall not take effect
until it shall have been submitted to the people at an
election and a majority of those voting on the question
shall have approved such debt. No such debt shall be
authorized by the General Assembly if the amount thereof
when added to amounts approved by the people or
authorized by the General Assembly and not yet submit-
ted to the people for approval, under this subsection
during the three fiscal years immediately preceding the
authorization by the General Assembly of such debt and
the fiscal year in which such debt is authorized shall
exceed twenty-five per centum of an amount equal to 1.15
times the average annual tax revenues of the Common-
wealth derived from taxes on income and retail sales, as
certified by the Auditor of Public Accounts, for the three
fiscal years immediately preceding the authorization of
such debt by the General Assembly.
No debt shall be incurred under this subsection if the
amount thereof when added to the aggregate amount of
all outstanding debt to which the full faith and credit of
the Commonwealth is pledged other than that excluded
from this limitation by the provisions of this article autho-
rizing the contracting of debts to redeem a previous debt
obligation of the Commonwealth and for certain rev-
enue-producing capital projects, less any amounts set
aside in sinking funds for the repayment of such out-
standing debt, shall exceed an amount equal to 1.15 times
the average annual tax revenues of the Commonwealth
derived from taxes on income and retail sales, as certified
by the Auditor of Public Accounts, for the three fiscal
years immediately preceding the incurring of such debt.
All debt incurred under this subsection shall mature
within a period not to exceed the estimated useful life of
the projects as stated in the authorizing law, which state-
ment shall be conclusive, or a period of thirty years,
whichever is shorter; and all debt incurred to redeem a
previous debt obligation of the Commonwealth, except
that which is secured by net revenues anticipated to be
sufficient to pay the same and provide reserves therefor,
shall mature within a period not to exceed thirty years.
Such debt shall be amortized, by payment into a sinking
fund or otherwise, in annual installments of principal to
begin not later than one-tenth of the term of the bonds,
and any such sinking fund shall not be appropriated for
any other purpose; if such debt be for public road pur-
poses, such payment shall be first made from revenues
segregated by law for the construction and maintenance
of State highways. No such installment shall exceed the
smallest previous installment by more than one hundred
per centum. If sufficient funds are not appropriated in the
budget for any fiscal year for the timely payment of the
interest upon and installments of principal of such debt,
there shall be set apart by direction of the Governor, from
the first general fund revenues received during such
fiscal year and thereafter, a sum sufficient to pay such
interest and installments of principal.
(c) Debt for certain revenue-producing capital
projects.
The General Assembly may authorize the creation of
debt secured by a pledge of net revenues derived from
rates, fees, or other charges and the full faith and credit of
the Commonwealth, and such debt shall not be included
in determining the limitation on general obligation debt
for capital projects as permitted elsewhere in this article,
provided that
(1) the creation of such debt is authorized by the
affirmative vote of two-thirds of the mem-
bers elected to each house of the General
Assembly; and
(2) such debt is created for specific revenue-
producing capital projects (including the en-
largement or improvement thereof), which
shall be distinctly specified in the law autho-
rizing the same, of institutions and agencies
administered solely by the executive depart-
ment of the Commonwealth or of institu-
tions of higher learning of the Common-
wealth.
Before any such debt shall be authorized by the
General Assembly, and again before it shall be incurred,
the Governor shall certify in writing, filed with the Audi-
tor of Public Accounts, his opinion, based upon respon-
sible engineering and economic estimates, that the antici-
pated net revenues to be pledged to the payment of
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Documents of American History
principal of and interest on such debt will be sufficient to
meet such payments as the same become due and to
provide such reserves as the law authorizing such debt
may require, and that the projects otherwise comply with
the requirements of this subsection, which certifications
shall be conclusive.
No debt shall be incurred under this subsection if the
amount thereof when added to the aggregate amount of
all outstanding debt authorized by this subsection and
the amount of all outstanding debt incurred to redeem a
previous debt obligation of the Commonwealth which is
to be included in the limitation of this subsection by
virtue of the provisions of this article authorizing the
contracting of debts to redeem a previous debt obligation
of the Commonwealth, less any amounts set aside in
sinking funds for the payment of such debt, shall exceed
an amount equal to 1.15 times the average annual tax
revenues of the Commonwealth derived from taxes on
income and retail sales, as certified by the Auditor of
Public Accounts, for the three fiscal years immediately
preceding the incurring of such debt.
This subsection shall not be construed to pledge the
full faith and credit of the Commonwealth to the payment
of any obligation of the Commonwealth, or any institu-
tion, agency, or authority thereof, or to any refinancing or
reissuance of such obligation which was incurred prior to
the effective date of this subsection.
(d) Obligations to which section not applicable.
The restrictions of this section shall not apply to any
obligation incurred by the Commonwealth or any insti-
tution, agency, or authority thereof if the full faith and
credit of the Commonwealth is not pledged or committed
to the payment of such obligation.
Section 10. Lending of credit, stock subscriptions,
and works of internal improvement.
Neither the credit of the Commonwealth nor of any
county, city, town, or regional government shall be di-
rectly or indirectly, under any device or pretense whatso-
ever, granted to or in aid of any person, association, or
corporation; nor shall the Commonwealth or any such
unit of government subscribe to or become interested in
the stock or obligations of any company, association, or
corporation for the purpose of aiding in the construction
or maintenance of its work; nor shall the Commonwealth
become a party to or become interested in any work of
internal improvement, except public roads and public
parks, or engage in carrying on any such work; nor shall
the Commonwealth assume any indebtedness of any
county, city, town, or regional government, nor lend its
credit to the same. This section shall not be construed to
prohibit the General Assembly from establishing an au-
thority with power to insure and guarantee loans to
finance industrial development and industrial expansion
and from making appropriations to such authority.
Section 11. Governmental employees retirement
system.
The General Assembly shall maintain a retirement
system for state employees and employees of participat-
ing political subdivisions and school divisions. The
funds of the retirement system shall be deemed separate
and independent trust funds, shall be segregated from all
other funds of the Commonwealth, and shall be invested
and administered solely in the interests of the members
and beneficiaries thereof. Neither the General Assembly
nor any public officer, employee, or agency shall use or
authorize the use of such trust funds for any purpose
other than as provided in law for benefits, refunds, and
administrative expenses, including but not limited to
legislative oversight of the retirement system. Such trust
funds shall be invested as authorized by law. Retirement
system benefits shall be funded using methods which are
consistent with generally accepted actuarial principles.
The retirement system shall be subject to restrictions,
terms, and conditions as may be prescribed by the Gen-
eral Assembly.
The amendment ratified November 5, 1996 and effective
January 1, 1997 — In the heading of the section, substituted
“employees” for “employee” and deleted “fund” after “retire-
ment system”. In the text, substituted “retirement system for
state employees and employees of participating political subdi-
visions and school divisions” for “state employees retirement
system to be administered in the best interest of the beneficiaries
thereof and subject to such restrictions or conditions as may be
prescribed by the General Assembly” and added the remainder
of the paragraph.
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Documents of American History
ARTICLE XI — Conservation
Section 1. Natural resources and historical sites of
the Commonwealth.
To the end that the people have clean air, pure water,
and the use and enjoyment for recreation of adequate
public lands, waters, and other natural resources, it shall
be the policy of the Commonwealth to conserve, develop,
and utilize its natural resources, its public lands, and its
historical sites and buildings. Further, it shall be the
Commonwealth’s policy to protect its atmosphere, lands,
and waters from pollution, impairment, or destruction,
for the benefit, enjoyment, and general welfare of the
people of the Commonwealth.
Section 2. Conservation and development of natu-
ral resources and historical sites.
In the furtherance of such policy, the General Assem-
bly may undertake the conservation, development, or
utilization of lands or natural resources of the Common-
wealth, the acquisition and protection of historical sites
and buildings, and the protection of its atmosphere,
lands, and waters from pollution, impairment, or de-
struction, by agencies of the Commonwealth or by the
creation of public authorities, or by leases or other con-
tracts with agencies of the United States, with other
states, with units of government in the Commonwealth,
or with private persons or corporations. Notwithstand-
ing the time limitations of the provisions of Article X,
Section 7, of this Constitution, the Commonwealth may
participate for any period of years in the cost of projects
which shall be the subject of a joint undertaking between
the Commonwealth and any agency of the United States
or of other states.
Section 3. Natural oyster beds.
The natural oyster beds, rocks, and shoals in the
waters of the Commonwealth shall not be leased, rented,
or sold but shall be held in trust for the benefit of the
people of the Commonwealth, subject to such regulations
and restriction as the General Assembly may prescribe,
but the General Assembly may, from time to time, define
and determine such natural beds, rocks, or shoals by
surveys or otherwise.
ARTICLE XII — Future Changes
Section 1. Amendments.
Any amendment or amendments to this Constitution
may be proposed in the Senate or House of Delegates, and
if the same shall be agreed to by a majority of the members
elected to each of the two houses, such proposed amend-
ment or amendments shall be entered on their journals,
the name of each member and how he voted to be re-
corded, and referred to the General Assembly at its first
regular session held after the next general election of
members of the House of Delegates. If at such regular
session or any subsequent special session of that General
Assembly the proposed amendment or amendments shall
be agreed to by a majority of all the members elected to
each house, then it shall be the duty of the General
Assembly to submit such proposed amendment or amend-
ments to the voters qualified to vote in elections by the
people, in such manner as it shall prescribe and not
sooner than ninety days after final passage by the General
Assembly. If a majority of those voting vote in favor of
any amendment, it shall become part of the Constitution
on the date prescribed by the General Assembly in sub-
mitting the amendment to the voters.
Section 2. Constitutional convention.
The General Assembly may, by a vote of two-thirds
of the members elected to each house, call a convention to
propose a general revision of, or specific amendments to,
this Constitution, as the General Assembly in its call may
stipulate.
The General Assembly shall provide by law for the
election of delegates to such a convention, and shall also
provide for the submission, in such manner as it shall
prescribe and not sooner than ninety days after final
adjournment of the convention, of the proposals of the
convention to the voters qualified to vote in elections by
the people. If a majority of those voting vote in favor of
any proposal, it shall become effective on the date pre-
scribed by the General Assembly in providing for the
submission of the convention proposals to the voters.
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Documents of American History
SCHEDULE
Section 1. Effective date of revised Constitution.
This revised Constitution shall, except as is other-
wise provided herein, go into effect at noon on the first
day of July, nineteen hundred and seventy-one.
Section 2. Officers and elections.
Unless otherwise provided herein or by law, nothing
in this revised Constitution shall affect the oath, tenure,
term, status, or compensation of any person holding any
public office, position, or employment in the Common-
wealth, nor affect the date of filling any State or local
office, elective or appointive, which shall be filled on the
date on which it would otherwise have been filled.
Section 3. Laws, proceedings, and obligations un-
affected.
The common and statute law in force at the time this
revised Constitution goes into effect, so far as not in
conflict therewith, shall remain in force until they expire
by their own limitation or are altered or repealed by the
General Assembly. Unless otherwise provided herein or
by law, the adoption of this revised Constitution shall
have no effect on pending judicial proceedings or judg-
ments, on any obligations owing to or by the Common-
wealth or any of its officers, agencies, or political subdi-
visions, or on any private obligations or rights.
Section 4. Qualifications of judges.
The requirement of Article VI, Section 7, that justices
of the Supreme Court and judges of courts of record shall,
at least five years prior to their election or appointment,
have been members of the bar of the Commonwealth,
shall not preclude justices or judges who were elected or
appointed prior to the effective date of this revised Con-
stitution, and who are otherwise qualified, from complet-
ing the term for which they were elected or appointed
and from being reelected for one additional term.
Section 5. First session of General Assembly fol-
lowing adoption of revised Constitution.
The General Assembly shall convene at the Capitol at
noon on the first Wednesday in January, nineteen hun-
dred and seventy-one. It shall enact such laws as may be
deemed proper, including those necessary to implement
this revised Constitution. The General Assembly shall
reapportion the Commonwealth into electoral districts in
accordance with Article II, Section 6, of this Constitution.
The General Assembly shall be vested with all the pow-
ers, charged with all the duties, and subject to all the
limitations prescribed by this Constitution except that
this session shall continue as long as may be necessary;
that the salary and allowances of members shall not be
limited by Section 46 of the Constitution of 1902 as
amended and that effective date limitation of Section 53
of the Constitution of 1902 as amended shall not be
operative.
38
Documents of American History
Code of Virginia, 1950
§ 57-1. Act for religious freedom recited.—The Gen-
eral Assembly, on the sixteenth day of January, seventeen
hundred and eighty-six, passed an act in the following
words:
“Whereas, Almighty God hath created the mind free;
that all attempts to influence it by temporal punishment,
or burthens, or by civil incapacitations, tend only to beget
habits of hypocrisy and meanness, and are a departure
from the plan of the Holy Author of our religion, who,
being Lord both of body and mind, yet chose not to
propagate it by coercions on either, as was in his Al-
mighty power to do; that the impious presumption of
legislators and rulers, civil as well as ecclesiastical, who,
being themselves but fallible and uninspired men, have
assumed dominion over the faith of others, setting up
their own opinions and modes of thinking as the only true
and infallible, and as such endeavoring to impose them
on others, have established and maintained false reli-
gions over the greatest part of the world, and through all
time; that to compel a man to furnish contributions of
money for the propagation of opinions which he disbe-
lieves, is sinful and tyrannical, and even the forcing him
to support this or that teacher of his own religious persua-
sion, is depriving him of the comfortable liberty of giving
his contributions to the particular pastor whose morals
he would make his pattern, and whose powers he feels
most persuasive to righteousness, and is withdrawing
from the ministry those temporary rewards which, pro-
ceeding from an approbation of their personal conduct,
are an additional incitement to earnest and unremitting
labors, for the instruction of mankind; that our civil rights
have no dependence on our religious opinions any more
than our opinions in physics or geometry; that therefore
the proscribing any citizen as unworthy the public confi-
dence by laying upon him an incapacity of being called to
offices of trust and emolument, unless he profess or
renounce this or that religious opinion, is depriving him
injuriously, of those privileges and advantages to which,
in common with his fellow citizens, he has a natural right;
that it tends only to corrupt the principles of that religion
it meant to encourage, by bribing, with a monopoly of
worldly honors and emoluments, those who will exter-
nally profess and conform to it; that though, indeed, those
are criminal who do not withstand such temptation, yet,
neither are those innocent who lay
the bait in their way; that to suffer
the civil magistrate to intrude his
powers into the field of opinion, and
to restrain the profession or propagation of principles on
supposition of their ill tendency, is a dangerous fallacy,
which at once destroys all religious liberty, because he,
being of course judge of that tendency, will make his
opinions the rules of judgment, and approve or condemn
the sentiments of others only as they shall square with or
differ from his own; that it is time enough for the rightful
purposes of civil government, for its officers to interfere,
when principles break out into overt acts against peace
and good order; and finally, that truth is great and will
prevail, if left to herself; that she is the proper and
sufficient antagonist to error, and has nothing to fear
from the conflict, unless by human interposition dis-
armed of her natural weapons, free argument and debate;
errors ceasing to be dangerous when it is permitted freely
to contradict them:
“Be it enacted by the General Assembly, That no man
shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious
worship, place or ministry whatsoever, nor shall be en-
forced, restrained, molested or burthened, in his body or
goods, nor shall otherwise suffer on account of his reli-
gious opinions or belief; but that all men shall be free to
profess, and by argument to maintain, their opinions in
matters of religion, and that the same shall in no wise
diminish, enlarge or affect their civil capacities.
“And though we well know that this Assembly,
elected by the people for the ordinary purposes of legis-
lation only, have no power to restrain the acts of succeed-
ing assemblies constituted with powers equal to our own,
and that, therefore, to declare this act to be irrevocable
would be of no effect in law; yet we are free to declare, and
do declare, that the rights hereby asserted are of the
natural rights of mankind; and that if any act shall be
hereafter passed to repeal the present, or to narrow its
operations, such act will be an infringement of natural
right.”
§ 57-2. Rights asserted therein reaffirmed.—The
General Assembly doth now again declare that the rights
asserted in the said act are of the natural rights of man-
kind.
Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom
39
Documents of American History
When, in the course of human events, it becomes
necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands
which have connected them with another, and to assume,
among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal
station to which the laws of nature and nature’s God
entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind
requires that they should declare the causes which impel
them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men
are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator
with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life,
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these
rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving
their just powers from the consent of the governed; that,
whenever any form of government becomes destructive
of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to
abolish it, and to institute a new government, laying its
foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers
in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect
their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate
that governments long established should not be changed
for light and transient causes; and, accordingly, all expe-
rience hath shown, that mankind are more disposed to
suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves
by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.
But, when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursu-
ing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce
them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their
duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new
guards for their future security. Such has been the patient
sufferance of these colonies, and such is now the necessity
which constrains them to alter their former systems of
government. The history of the present King of Great
Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpation, all
having, in direct object, the establishment of an absolute
tyranny over these states. To prove this let facts be sub-
mitted to a candid world:
He has refused to assent to laws the most wholesome
and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his governors to pass laws of
immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended
in their operation till his assent should be obtained; and,
when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to
them.
He has refused to pass other laws for the accommo-
dation of large districts of people, unless those people
would relinquish the right of representation in the legis-
lature; a right inestimable to them, and formidable to
tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places
unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository
of their public records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing
them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved representative houses repeatedly,
for opposing, with manly firmness, his invasions on the
rights of the people.
He has refused, for a long time after such dissolu-
tions, to cause others to be elected, whereby the legisla-
tive powers, incapable of annihilation, have returned to
the people at large for their exercise; the State remaining,
in the meantime, exposed to all the dangers of invasions
from without and convulsions within.
He has endeavored to prevent the population of
these States; for that purpose, obstructing the laws for
naturalization of foreigners; refusing to pass others to
encourage their migration hither, and raising the condi-
tions of new appropriations of lands.
He has obstructed the administration of justice, by
refusing his assent to laws for establishing judiciary
powers.
He has made judges dependent on his will alone, for
the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment
of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent
hither swarms of officers to harass our people, and eat out
their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, standing
armies without the consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the military independent
of, and superior to, the civil power.
He has combined, with others, to subject us to a
jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowl-
Declaration of American Independence
40
Documents of American History
edged by our laws; giving his assent to their acts of
pretended legislation:
For quartering large bodies of armed troops among
us:
For protecting them by a mock trial from punish-
ment, for any murders which they should commit on the
inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing taxes on us without our consent:
For depriving us, in many cases, of the benefit of trial
by jury:
For transporting us beyond seas to be tried for pre-
tended offenses.
For abolishing the free system of English laws in a
neighboring province, establishing therein an arbitrary
government, and enlarging its boundaries, so as to ren-
der it at once an example and fit instrument for introduc-
ing the same absolute rule into these colonies:
For taking away our charters, abolishing our most
valuable laws and altering fundamentally, the powers of
our governments:
For suspending our own legislatures, and declaring
themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all
cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated government here, by declaring us
out of his protection, and waging war against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt
our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is, at this time, transporting large armies of for-
eign mercenaries to complete the work of death, desola-
tion, and tyranny, already begun, with circumstances of
cruelty and perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barba-
rous ages, and totally unworthy the head of a civilized
nation .
He has constrained our fellow-citizens, taken captive
on the high seas, to bear arms against their country, to
become the executioners of their friends and brethren, or
to fall themselves by their hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us,
and has endeavored to bring on the inhabitants of our
frontiers, the merciless Indian savages, whose known
rule of warfare is an undistinguished destruction of all
ages, sexes, and conditions.
In every stage of these oppressions we have peti-
tioned for redress in the most humble terms; our repeated
petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A
prince whose character is thus marked by every act which
may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
Nor have we been wanting in attention to our British
brethren. We have warned them, from time to time, of
attempts made by their legislature to extend an unwar-
rantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of
the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here.
We have appealed to their native justice and magnanim-
ity, and we have conjured them, by the ties of our com-
mon kindred, to disavow these usurpations, which would
inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence.
They, too, have been deaf to the voice of justice and
consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the ne-
cessity which denounces our separation, and hold them,
as we hold the rest of mankind, enemies in war—in peace,
friends .
We, therefore, the representatives of the United States
of America, in General Congress assembled, appealing to
the Supreme Judge of the World for the rectitude of our
intentions, do, in the name and by authority of the good
people of these colonies solemnly publish and declare,
That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be,
Free and Independent States; that they are absolved from
all allegiance to the British crown, and that all political
connections between them and the State of Great Britain
is, and ought to be, totally dissolved; and that as free and
independent States, they have full power to levy war,
conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce
and to do all other acts and things which independent
States may of right do. And for the support of this
declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of
Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our
lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.
41
Documents of American History
tioned among the several States which may be included
within this Union, according to their respective numbers,
[which shall be determined by adding to the whole
number of free persons, including those bound to service
for a term of years]
4
and excluding Indians not taxed,
[three-fifths of all other persons].
5
The actual enumera-
tion shall be made within three years after the first
meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within
every subsequent term of ten years, in such manner as
they shall by law direct. The number of Representatives
shall not exceed one for every thirty thousand,
6
but each
State shall have at least one Representative; [and, until
such enumeration shall be made, the State of New Hamp-
shire shall be entitled to choose three, Massachusetts
eight, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations one,
Connecticut five, New York six, New Jersey four, Penn-
sylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten,
North Carolina five, South Carolina five, and Georgia
three.]
7
4. When vacancies happen in the representation from
any State, the executive authority thereof shall issue writs
of election to fill such vacancies.
5. The House of Representatives shall choose their
Speaker
8
and other officers; and shall have the sole power
of impeachment.
9
SECTION 3. Senate
1. The Senate of the United States shall be composed
of two Senators from each State [chosen by the legislature
thereof]
10
: for six years; and each Senator shall have one
vote.
Preamble
We, the People of the United States, in Order to form a
more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tran-
quility, provide for the common defence, promote the general
Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and
our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the
United States of America.
Article I - Legislative Department
SECTION 1. Legislative Power; the Congress
All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested
in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of
a Senate and House of Representatives.
SECTION 2. House of Representatives
1. The House of Representatives shall be composed
of members chosen every second year by the people of the
several States, and the electors in each State shall have the
qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous
branch of the State legislature.
1
2. No person shall be a Representative who shall not
have attained to the age of twenty-five years, and been
seven years a citizen of the United States, and who shall
not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that State in which
he shall be chosen.
2
3. Representatives and direct taxes
3
shall be appor-
Constitution of the United States of America
1
Each State must permit the same persons to vote for United States Representatives as it permits to vote for the members of the
larger house of its own legislature. The 17th Amendment (1913) extended this requirement to the qualification of voters for United
States Senators.
2
In addition, political custom requires that a Representative also reside in the district in which he or she is elected.
3
Modified by the 16th Amendment (1913) which provides for an income tax as an express exception to this restriction.
4
Altered by the 14th Amendment (1868).
5
The phrase refers to slaves and was rescinded by the 13th Amendment (1865) and the l4th Amendment (1868).
6
The Constitution does not set a specific size for the House; rather, Congress does so when it reapportions the seats among the
States after each census. It fixed the ”permanent” size at 435 members in the Reapportionment Act of 1929.
7
Temporary provision.
8
Although the Constitution does not require it, the House always chooses the Speaker from among its own members.
9
The House has the exclusive power to impeach civil officers; the Senate (Article 1, Section 3, Clause 6) has the exclusive power
to try those impeached by the House.
10
Modified by the 17th Amendment (1913) which provides for the popular election of Senators.
42
Documents of American History
2. Immediately after they shall be assembled in con-
sequences of the first election, they shall be divided, as
equally as may be, into three classes. The seats of the
Senators of the first class shall be vacated at the expiration
of the second year; of the second class, at the expiration of
the fourth year; and of the third class, at the expiration of
the sixth year, so that one-third may be chosen every
second year; [and if vacancies happen by resignation, or
otherwise, during the recess of the legislature of any
State, the executive thereof may make temporary ap-
pointments until the next meeting of the legislature,
which shall then fill such vacancies.]
11
3. No person shall be a Senator who shall not have
attained to the age of thirty years, and been nine years a
citizen of the United States, who shall not, when elected,
be an inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen.
4. The Vice President of the United States shall be
President of the Senate, but shall have no vote, unless
they be equally divided.
5. The Senate shall choose their other officers, and
also a President pro tempore, in the absence of the Vice
President, or when he shall exercise the office of the
President of the United States.
6. The Senate shall have the sole power to try all
impeachments. When sitting for that purpose, they shall
be on oath or affirmation. When the President of the
United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside; and
no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of
two-thirds of the members present.
12
7. Judgment in cases of impeachment shall not ex-
tend further than to removal from office, and disqualifi-
cation to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust, or
profit under the United States; but the party convicted
shall, nevertheless, be liable and subject to indictment,
trial, judgment, and punishment, according to law.
SECTION 4. Elections and Meetings
1. The times, places, and manner of holding elections
for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in
each State by the legislature thereof: but the Congress
may at any time, by law, make or alter such regulations,
except as to the places of choosing Senators.
13
2. The Congress shall assemble at least once in every
year, [and such meeting shall be on the first Monday in
December,]
14
unless they shall by law appoint a different
day.
SECTION 5. Legislative Proceedings
1. Each House shall be the judge of the elections,
returns, and qualifications of its own members,
15
and a
majority of each shall constitute a quorum to do business;
but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and
may be authorized to compel the attendance of absent
members, in such manner, and under such penalties, as
each House may provide.
2. Each House may determine the rules of its pro-
ceedings, punish its members for disorderly behavior,
and with the concurrence of two-thirds, expel a member.
3. Each House shall keep a journal of its proceedings,
and, from time to time, publish the same, excepting such
parts as may, in their judgment, require secrecy; and the
yeas and nays of the members of either House, on any
question, shall, at the desire of one-fifth of those present,
be entered on the journal.
4. Neither House, during the session of Congress,
shall, without the consent of the other, adjourn for more
11
Modified by the 17th Amendment (l9l3) which provides for the filling of vacancies by election and (if a State chooses) by a
temporary gubernatorial appointment to fill the vacancy until the election.
12
Those who object on religious grounds to the taking of an oath are permitted to “affirm” rather than “swear.’’
13
In 1842 Congress directed that Representatives and in 1914 that Senators be chosen on the Tuesday after the first Monday in
November of every even-numbered year.
14
Superseded by the 20th Amendment (1933) which fixes the date January 3rd.
15
In 1969 the Supreme Court held that the House cannot exclude any member-elect who satisfies the qualifications set out in
Article 1. Section 2. Clause 2.
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than three days, nor to any other place than that in which
the two Houses shall be sitting.
SECTION 6. Compensation, Immunities, and Dis-
abilities of Members
1. The Senators and Representatives shall receive a
compensation for their services, to be ascertained by law,
and paid out of the treasury of the United States. They
shall, in all cases, except treason, felony, and breach of the
peace, be privileged from arrest during their attendance
at the session of their respective Houses, and in going to,
and returning from, the same; and for any speech or
debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in
any other place.
2. No Senator or Representative shall, during the
time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil
office under the authority of the United States, which
shall have been created, or the emoluments whereof shall
have been increased during such time; and no person,
holding any office under the United States, shall be a
member of either House during his continuance in office.
SECTION 7. Revenue Bills, President’s Veto
1. All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the
House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or
concur with amendments as on other bills.
2. Every bill which shall have passed the House of
Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it
become a law, be presented to the President of
the United States; if he approve, he shall sign it,
but if not, he shall return it, with his objections,
to that House in which it shall have originated,
who shall enter the objections at large on their
journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If, after
such reconsideration, two-thirds of that House
shall agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent,
together with the objections, to the other House,
by which it shall likewise be reconsidered,
and, if approved by two-thirds of that House,
it shall become a law. But in all such cases the
votes of both Houses shall be determined by yeas and
nays, and the names of the persons voting for and
against the bill shall be entered on the journal of each
House respectively. If any bill shall not be returned by the
President within ten days (Sunday excepted) after it shall
have been presented to him, the same shall be a law, in
like manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress, by
their adjournment, prevent its return, in which case it
shall not be a law.
3. Every order, resolution, or vote, to which the
concurrence of the Senate and House of Representatives
may be necessary (except on a question of adjournment),
shall be presented to the President of the United States;
and before the same shall take effect, shall be approved by
him, or, being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by
two-thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives,
according to the rules and limitations prescribed in the
case of a bill .
SECTION 8. Powers of Congress
The Congress shall have power:
1. To lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and ex-
cises, to pay the debts, and provide for the common
defence and general welfare, of the United States; but all
duties, imposts, and excises, shall be uniform throughout
the United States;
2. To borrow money on the credit of the
United States;
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Documents of American History
3. To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and
among the several States, and with the Indian tribes;
4. To establish a uniform rule of naturalization, and
uniform laws on the subject of bankruptcies, throughout
the United States;
5. To coin money, regulate the value thereof, and of
foreign coin, and fix the standard of weights and mea-
sures;
6. To provide for the punishment of counterfeiting
the securities and current coin of the United States;
7. To establish post offices and post roads;
8. To promote the progress of science and useful arts,
by securing, for limited times, to authors and inventors,
the exclusive right to their respective writings and dis-
coveries;
9. To constitute tribunals inferior to the Supreme
Court;
10. To define and punish piracies and felonies, com-
mitted on the high seas, and offences against the law of
nations;
11. To declare war, grant letters of marque and re-
prisal, and make rules concerning captures on land and
water;
12. To raise and support armies; but no appropriation
of money to that use shall be for a longer term than two
years;
13. To provide and maintain a navy;
14. To make rules for the government and regulation
of the land and naval forces;
15. To provide for calling forth the militia to execute
the laws of the Union, suppress insurrections, and repel
invasions;
16. To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplin-
ing the militia, and for governing such part of them as
may be employed in the service of the United States,
reserving to the States respectively the appointment of
the officers, and the authority of training the militia,
according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;
17. To exercise exclusive legislation in all cases what-
soever, over such district (not exceeding ten miles square)
as may, by cession of particular States, and the acceptance
of Congress, become the seat of the Government of the
United States, and to exercise like authority over all
places, purchased by the consent of the legislature of the
State in which the same shall be, for the erection of forts,
magazines, arsenals, dockyards, and other needful build-
ings;—And
18. To make all laws which shall be necessary and
proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers,
and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the
Government of the United States, or in any department or
officer thereof.
SECTION 9. Powers Denied to Congress
[1. The migration or importation of such persons as
any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit,
shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the year
one thousand eight hundred and eight; but a tax or duty
may be imposed on such importation, not exceeding ten
dollars for each person.]
16
2. The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be
suspended, unless when, in cases of rebellion or invasion,
the public safety may require it.
3. No bill of attainder or ex post facto law shall be
passed.
4. No capitation, or other direct tax, shall be laid,
unless in proportion to the census or enumeration herein
before directed to be taken.
5. No tax or duty shall be laid on articles exported
from any State.
16
Temporary provision; “persons” refers to slaves.
45
Documents of American History
6. No preference shall be given by any regulation of
commerce or revenue to the ports of one State over those
of another; nor shall vessels bound to, or from, one State,
be obliged to enter, clear, or pay duties, in another.
7. No money shall be drawn from the treasury, but in
consequence of appropriations made by law; and a regu-
lar statement and account of the receipts and expendi-
tures of all public money shall be published from time to
time.
8. No title of nobility shall be granted by the United
States; and no person holding any office of profit or trust
under them shall, without the consent of the Congress,
accept of any present, emolument, office, or title, of any
kind whatever, from any king, prince, or foreign state.
SECTION 10. Powers Denied to the States
1. No State shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or
confederation; grant letters of marque and reprisal; coin
money; emit bills of credit; make anything but gold and
silver coin a tender in payment of debts; pass any bill of
attainder, ex post facto law, or law impairing the obliga-
tions of contracts, or grant any title of nobility.
2. No State shall, without the consent of the Con-
gress, lay any imposts or duties on imports or exports,
except what may be absolutely necessary for executing its
inspection laws; and the net produce of all duties and
imposts, laid by any State on imports or exports, shall be
for the use of the treasury of the United States; and all
such laws shall be subject to the revision and control of
the Congress.
3. No State shall, without the consent of Congress,
lay any duty of tonnage, keep troops, or ships of war, in
time of peace, enter into any agreement or compact with
another State, or with a foreign power, or engage in war,
unless actually invaded, or in such imminent danger as
will not admit of delay.
Article 11 - Executive Department
SECTION 1. Term, Election, Qualifications, Salary,
Oath of Office
1. The executive power shall be vested in a President
of the United States of America. He shall hold his office
during the term of four years,
l7
and together with the Vice
President, chosen for the same term, be elected as follows:
2. Each State shall appoint, in such manner as the
legislature thereof may direct, a number of Electors,
equal to the whole number of Senators and Representa-
tives, to which the State may be entitled in the Congress;
but no Senator or Representative, or person holding an
office of trust or profit, under the United States, shall be
appointed an Elector.
[3. The Electors shall meet in their respective States,
and vote by ballot for two persons, of whom one, at least,
shall not be an inhabitant of the same State with them-
selves. And they shall make a list of all persons voted for,
and of the number of votes for each; which list they shall
sign and certify, and transmit, sealed, to the seat of the
Government of the United States, directed to the Presi-
dent of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall, in the
presence of the Senate and House of Representatives,
open all the certificates, and the votes shall then be
counted. The person having the greatest number of votes
shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the
whole number of Electors appointed; and if there be more
than one, who have such majority, and have an equal
number of votes, then, the House of Representatives shall
immediately choose, by ballot, one of them for President;
and if no person have a majority, then, from the five
highest on the list, the said House shall, in like manner,
choose the President. But in choosing the President, the
votes shall be taken by States, the representation from
each State having one vote; a quorum for this purpose
shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of
the States, and a majority of all the States shall be neces-
sary to a choice. In every case, after the choice of the
President, the person having the greatest number of votes
of the Electors shall be the Vice President. But if there
17
The Constitution did not originally set a limit to the number of times a person may be elected President. The 22nd Amendment
(1951) now limits a President to two terms or not more than 10 years in office.
46
Documents of American History
should remain two or more who have equal votes, the
Senate shall choose from them, by ballot, the Vice Presi-
dent.]
18
4. The Congress may determine the time of choosing
the Electors, and the day on which they shall give their
votes; which day shall be the same throughout the United
States.
19
5. No person, except a natural-born citizen, or a
citizen of the United States at the time of the adoption of
this Constitution, shall be eligible to the office of Presi-
dent; neither shall any person be eligible to that office,
who shall not have attained to the age of thirty-five years,
and been fourteen years a resident within the United
States.
6. In case of the removal of the President from office,
or of his death, resignation, or inability to discharge the
powers and duties of the said office, the same shall
devolve on the Vice President, and the Congress may by
law provide for the case of removal, death, resignation or
inability, both of the President and Vice President, declar-
ing what officer shall then act as President, and such
officer shall act accordingly, until the disability be re-
moved, or a President shall be elected.
20
7. The President shall, at stated times, receive for his
services a compensation, which shall neither be increased
nor diminished during the period for which he shall have
been elected, and he shall not receive, within that period,
any other emolument from the United States, or any of
them.
8. Before he enter on the execution of his office, he
shall take the following oath or affirmation:
“I do solemnly swear (or affirm), that I will faithfully
execute the office of President of the United States, and
will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and
defend the Constitution of the United States.”
SECTION 2. President’s Powers and Duties
1. The President shall be Commander in Chief of the
army and navy of the United States, and of the militia of
the several States, when called into the actual service of
the United States; he may require the opinion, in writing,
of the principal officer in each of the executive depart-
ments upon any subject relating to the duties of their
respective offices, and he shall have power to grant
reprieves and pardons for offences against the United
States, except in cases of impeachment.
2. He shall have power, by and with the advice and
consent of the Senate, to make treaties, provided two-
thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall, nomi-
nate, and, by and with the advice and consent of the
Senate, shall appoint ambassadors, other public minis-
ters and consuls, judges of the Supreme Court, and all
other officers of the United States whose appointments
are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be
established by law; but the Congress may by law vest the
appointment of such inferior officers, as they think proper,
in the President alone, in the courts of law, or in the heads
of departments.
3. The President shall have power to fill up all vacan-
cies that may happen during the recess of the Senate, by
granting commissions which shall expire at the end of
their next session.
SECTION 3. President’s Powers and Duties
He shall, from time to time, give to the Congress
information of the state of the Union, and recommend to
their consideration such measures as he shall judge nec-
essary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary occa-
sions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in case
of disagreement between them, with respect to the time
of adjournment, he may adjourn them to such time as he
shall think proper; he shall receive ambassadors and
other public ministers; he shall take care that the laws be
18
Superseded by the 12th Amendment (1804).
19
Congress has set the date for the choosing of electors as the Tuesday after the first Monday in November every fourth year and
for the casting of electoral votes as the Monday after the second Wednesday in December of that year.
20
Modified by the 25th Amendment (1967) which provides expressly for the succession of the Vice President for the filling of a
vacancy in the Vice Presidency, and for the determination of presidential inability.
47
Documents of American History
faithfully executed, and shall commission all the officers
of the United States.
SECTlON 4. Impeachment
The President, Vice President, and all civil officers of
the United States, shall be removed from office on im-
peachment for, and conviction of, treason, bribery, or
other high crimes and misdemeanors.
Article III - Judicial Department
SECTlON l. Courts, Terms of Office
The judicial power of the United States shall be
vested in one Supreme Court, and in such inferior courts
as the Congress may from time to time ordain and estab-
lish. The judges, both of the Supreme and inferior courts,
shall hold their offices during good behavior, and shall, at
stated times, receive for their services a compensation
which shall not be diminished during their continuance
in office.
SECTION 2. Jurisdiction
1. The judicial power shall extend to all cases, in law
and equity, arising under this Constitution, the laws of
the United States, and treaties made, or which shall be
made, under their authority; to all cases affecting ambas-
sadors, other public ministers, and consuls; to all cases of
admiralty and maritime jurisdiction; to controversies to
which the United States shall be a party; to controversies
between two or more States, between a State and citizens
of another State, between citizens of different States,
between citizens of the same State claiming lands under
grants of different States, and between a State, or the
citizens thereof, and foreign states, citizens, or subjects.
2. In all cases affecting ambassadors, other public
ministers and consuls, and those in which a State shall be
a party, the Supreme Court shall have original jurisdic-
tion. In all the other cases before mentioned, the Supreme
Court shall have appellate jurisdiction, both as to law and
fact, with such exceptions and under such regulations as
the Congress shall make.
3. The trial of all crimes, except in cases of impeach-
ment, shall be by jury; and such trial shall be held in the
State where the said crimes shall have been committed;
but when not committed within any State the trial shall be
at such place or places as the Congress may by law have
directed.
SECTION 3. Treason
1. Treason against the United States shall consist only
in levying war against them, or in adhering to their
enemies, giving them aid and comfort. No person shall be
convicted of treason unless on the testimony of two
witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open
court.
2. The Congress shall have power to declare the
punishment of treason, but no attainder of treason shall
work corruption of blood, or forfeiture except during the
life of the person attained.
Article IV - Relation of States
SECTION 1. Full Faith and Credit
Full faith and credit shall be given in each State to the
public acts, records, and the judicial proceedings of every
other State. And the Congress may, by general laws,
prescribe the manner in which such acts, records, and
proceedings shall be proved, and the effect thereof.
SECTION 2. Privileges and Immunities of Citizens
1. The citizens of each State shall be entitled to all
privileges and immunities of citizens in the several States.
2. A person charged in any State with treason, felony,
or other crime, who shall flee from justice, and be found
in another State, shall, on demand of the executive au-
thority of the State from which he fled, be delivered up, to
be removed to the State having jurisdiction of the crime.
3. No person held to service or labor in one State,
under the laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in
consequence of any law or regulation therein, be dis-
charged from such service or labor, but shall be delivered
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Documents of American History
up on claim of the party to whom such service or labor
may be due.
21
SECTION 3. New States; Territories
1. New States may be admitted by the Congress into
this Union; but no new State shall be formed or erected
within the jurisdiction of any other State, nor any State be
formed by the junction of two or more States, or parts of
States, without the consent of the legislatures of the States
concerned as well as of the Congress.
2. The Congress shall have power to dispose of and
make all needful rules and regulations respecting the
territory or other property belonging to the United States;
and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as
to prejudice any claims of the United States, or of any
particular State.
SECTION 4. Protection Afforded to States by the
Nation
The United States shall guarantee to every State in
this Union a republican form of government, and shall
protect each of them against invasion; and on application
of the legislature, or of the executive (when the legislature
cannot be convened), against domestic violence.
Article V -
Provisions for Amendment
The Congress, whenever two-thirds of both Houses
shall deem it necessary, shall propose amendments to
this Constitution, or, on the application of the legislatures
of two-thirds of the several States, shall call a convention
for proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall be
valid, to all intents and purposes, as part of this Constitu-
tion, when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of
the several States, or by conventions in three-fourths
thereof, as the one or the other mode of ratification may
be proposed by the Congress; provided [that no amend-
ment which may be made prior to the year one thousand
eight hundred and eight shall in any manner affect the
first and fourth clauses in the ninth section of the first
Article;]
22
and that no State, without its consent, shall be
deprived of its equal suffrage in the Senate.
Article Vl - National Debts,
Supremacy of National Law, Oath
SECTION 1. Validity of Debts
All debts contracted and engagements entered into,
before the adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid
against the United States under this Constitution, as
under the Confederation.
23
SECTION 2. Supremacy of National Law
This Constitution, and the laws of the United States
which shall be made in pursuance thereof, and all treaties
made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the
United States, shall be the supreme law of the land; and
the judges in every State shall be bound thereby, anything
in the constitution or laws of any State to the contrary
notwithstanding.
SECTION 3. Oaths of Office
The Senators and Representatives before mentioned,
and the members of the several State legislatures, and all
executive and judicial officers, both of the United States
and of the several States, shall be bound, by oath or
affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious
test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office
or public trust under the United States.
21
Superseded by the 13th Amendment.
22
Obsolete.
23
Extended by 14th Amendment (1868).
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Documents of American History
Article Vll -
Ratification of Constitution
The ratification of the conventions of nine States shall
be sufficient for the establishment of this Constitution
between the States so ratifying the same.
Done in Convention, by the unanimous consent of
the States present, the seventeenth day of September, in
the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and
eighty-seven, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the twelfth. In Witness whereof, we
have hereunto subscribed our names.
George Washington
PRESIDENT AND DEPUTY FROM VIRGINIA
NEW HAMPSHIRE
John Langdon
Nicholas Gilman
MASSACHUSETTS
Nathaniel Gorham
Rufus King
CONNECTICUT
William Samuel Johnson
Roger Sherman
NEW YORK
Alexander Hamilton
NEW JERSEY
William Livingston
David Brearley
William Paterson
Jonathan Dayton
PENNSYLVANIA
Benjamin Franklin
Thomas Mifflin
Robert Morris
George Clymer
Thomas Fitzsimons
Jared Ingersoll
James Wilson
Gouverneur Morris
DELAWARE
George Read
Gunning Bedford, Jr.
John Dickinson
Richard Bassett
Jacob Broom
MARYLAND
James McHenry
Dan of St. Thomas Jennifer
Daniel Carroll
VIRGINIA
John Blair
James Madison, Jr.
NORTH CAROLINA
William Blount
Richard Dobbs Spaight
Hugh Williamson
SOUTH CAROLINA
John Rutledge
Charles Cotesworth Pinckney
Charles Pinckney
Pierce Butler
GEORGIA
William Few
Abraham Baldwin
Attest: William Jackson, Secretary
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Documents of American History
1ST AMENDMENT. Freedom of Religion, Speech,
Press, Assembly, and Petition
24
Congress shall make no law respecting an establish-
ment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;
or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the
right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition
the government for a redress of grievances.
2ND AMENDMENT. Bearing Arms
A well-regulated militia being necessary to the secu-
rity of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear
arms shall not be infringed.
3RD AMENDMENT. Quartering of Troops
No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any
house, without the consent of the owner; nor, in time of
war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
4TH AMENDMENT. Searches and Seizures
The right of the people to be secure in their persons,
houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches
and seizures, shall not be violated; and no warrants shall
issue, but upon probable cause supported by oath or
affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be
searched and the persons or things to be seized.
25
5TH AMENDMENT. Criminal Proceedings; Due
Process; Eminent Domain
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or
otherwise infamous, crime, unless on a presentment or
indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the
land or naval forces or in the militia, when in actual
service, in time of war, or public danger; nor shall any
person be subject, for the same offence, to be twice put in
jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled, in any
criminal case, to be a witness against himself,
26
nor be
deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process
of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use,
without just compensation.
6TH AMENDMENT. Criminal Proceedings
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy
the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury
of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been
committed, which district shall have been previously
ascertained by law; and to be informed of the nature and
cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the wit-
nesses against him; to have compulsory process for ob-
taining witnesses in his favor; and to have the assistance
of counsel for his defence.
27
7TH AMENDMENT. Civil Trials
In suits at common law, where the value in contro-
versy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury
shall be preserved; and no fact, tried by a jury shall be
otherwise re-examined in any court of the United States
than according to the rules of the common law.
8TH AMENDMENT. Punishment for Crimes
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive
fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishment in-
flicted.
28
9TH AMENDMENT. Unenumerated Rights
The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights
shall not be construed to deny or disparage others re-
tained by the people.
Amendments to the U.S. Constitution
24
The first 10 amendments and the Bill of Rights were each proposed by Congress on September 25, 1789 and ratified by the
necessary three-fourths of the States on December 15, 1791.
25
The 4th Amendment’s provisions apply against the States through the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment.
26
The prohibition of double jeopardy and the guarantee against self-incrimination each apply against the States through the Due
Process Clause of the 14th Amendment.
27
The rights to counsel, to speedy and public trial by jury (in serious criminal cases), of confrontation, and to compel witnesses
apply against the States through Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment.
28
The protection against cruel and unusual punishment applies against the States through the Due Process Clause of the 14th
Amendment.
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Documents of American History
IOTH AMENDMENT. Powers Reserved to the
States
The powers not delegated to the United States by the
Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are re-
served to the States respectively, or to the people.
11TH AMENDMENT. Suits against States
29
The judicial power of the United States shall not be
construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, com-
menced or prosecuted against one of the United States by
citizens of another State or by citizens or subjects of any
foreign state.
12TH AMENDMENT. Election of President and
Vice President
30
The Electors shall meet in their respective States,
31
and vote by ballot for President and Vice President, one
of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same
State with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the
person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the
person voted for as Vice President; and they shall make
distinct lists of all persons voted for as President, and of
all persons voted for as Vice President, and of the number
of votes for each, which lists they shall sign, and certify,
and transmit, sealed, to the seat of the Government of the
United States, directed to the President of the Senate; the
President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate
and the House of Representatives, open all the certifi-
cates, and the votes shall then be counted; the person
having the greatest number of votes for President shall be
the President, if such number be a majority of the whole
number of Electors appointed; and if no person have such
a majority, then, from the persons having the highest
numbers, not exceeding three, on the list of those voted
for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose
immediately, by ballot, the President. But in choosing the
President, the votes shall be taken by States, the represen-
tation from each State having one vote; a quorum for this
purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-
thirds of the States, and a majority of all the States shall be
necessary to a choice. And if the House of Representa-
tives shall not choose a President, whenever the right of
choice shall devolve upon them, [before the fourth day of
March next following,]
32
then the Vice President shall act
as President, as in case of death, or other constitutional
disability, of the President. The person having the great-
est number of votes as Vice President, shall be the Vice
President, if such number be a majority of the whole
number of Electors appointed; and if no person have a
majority, then, from the two highest numbers on the list,
the Senate shall choose the Vice President; a quorum for
the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole
number of Senators; a majority of the whole number shall
be necessary to a choice. But no person constitutionally
ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that
of Vice President of the United States.
13TH AMENDMENT. Slavery and Involuntary
Servitude
33
SECTION l. Neither slavery nor involuntary servi-
tude, except as a punishment for crime, whereof the party
shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the
United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.
SECTION 2. Congress shall have power to enforce
this article by appropriate legislation.
14TH AMENDMENT. Rights of Citizens
34
SECTION l. All persons born or naturalized in the
United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are
citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they
reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall
abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the
United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of
life, liberty, or property, without due process of law, nor
deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal
protection of the laws.
29
Proposed by Congress March 4, 1794; ratified February 7, 1795.
30
Proposed by Congress December 9, 1803; ratified June 15, 1804.
31
Modified by 23rd Amendment (1961) which provides presidential electors for the District of Columbia.
32
Changed by the 20th Amendment (1933) which sets the presidential inauguration date as January 20th.
33
Proposed by Congress January 31, 1865; ratified December 6, 1865.
34
Proposed by Congress June 13, 1866; ratified July 9, 1868.
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Documents of American History
SECTION 2. Representatives shall be apportioned
among the several States according to their respective
numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each
State, excluding Indians not taxed. But when the right to
vote at any election for the choice of electors for President
and Vice President of the United States, Representatives
in Congress, the executive and judicial officers of a State,
or the members of the legislature thereof, is denied to any
of the male inhabitants of such State, being twenty-one
years of age, and citizens of the United States, or in any
way abridged, except for participation in rebellion or
other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be
reduced in the proportion which the number of such male
citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens
twenty-one years of age in such State.
SECTION 3. No person shall be a Senator or Repre-
sentative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice
President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the
United States, or under any State, who, having previ-
ously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an
officer of the United States, or as a member of any State
legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any
State, to support the Constitution of the United States,
shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against
the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof.
But Congress may, by a vote of two-thirds of each House,
remove such disability.
SECTION 4. The validity of the public debt of the
United States, authorized by law, including debts in-
curred for payment of pensions and bounties for services
in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be
questioned. But neither the United States nor any State
shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid
of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or
any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all
such debts, obligations, and claims shall be held illegal
and void.
SECTION 5. The Congress shall have power to en-
force, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this
article.
15Th AMENDMENT. Right to Vote—Race, Color.
Servitude
35
SECTION 1. The right of citizens of the United States
to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United
States or by any State on account of race, color, or previ-
ous condition of servitude.
SECTION 2. The Congress shall have power to en-
force this article by appropriate legislation.
16TH AMENDMENT. Income Tax
36
The Congress shall have power to lay and collect
taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without
apportionment among the several States, and without
regard to any census or enumeration.
I7TH AMENDMENT. Popular Election of Sena-
tors
37
The Senate of the United States shall be composed of
two Senators from each State, elected by the people
thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one
vote. The electors in each State shall have the qualifica-
tions requisite for electors of the most numerous branch
of the State legislatures.
When vacancies happen in the representation of any
State in the Senate, the executive authority of such State
shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Pro-
vided, That the legislature of any State may empower the
executive thereof to make temporary appointment until
the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature
may direct.
This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect
the election or term of any Senator chosen before it
becomes valid as part of the Constitution.
18TH AMENDMENT. Prohibition of Intoxicating
Liquors
38
35
Proposed by Congress February 26, 1869; ratified February 3, 1870.
36
Proposed by Congress July 12, 1909; ratified February 3, 1913. The amendment modifies Article 1, Section 9, Clause 4.
37
Proposed by Congress May 13, 1912; ratified April 8, 1913. The amendment modifies Article 1, Section 3, Clauses 1 and 2.
38
Proposed by Congress December 18, 1917; ratified January 16,1919.
53
Documents of American History
SECTION 1. After one year from the ratification of
this article the manufacture, sale or transportation of
intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into,
or the exportation thereof from the United States and all
territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage
purposes is hereby prohibited.
SECTION 2. The Congress and the several States
shall have concurrent power to enforce this article by
appropriate legislation.
SECTION 3. This article shall be inoperative unless
it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Consti-
tution by the legislatures of the several States, as pro-
vided in the Constitution, within seven years of the date
of the submission hereof to the States by Congress.
39
19TH AMENDMENT. Equal Suffrage—Sex
40
The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall
not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any
State on account of sex. Congress shall have power to
enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
20TH AMENDMENT. Commencement of Terms;
Sessions of Congress; Death or Disqualification of Presi-
dent-Elect
41
SECTION 1. The terms of the President and Vice
President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January,
and the terms of Senators and Representatives at noon on
the 3d day of January, of the years in which such terms
would have ended if this article had not been ratified; and
the terms of their successors shall then begin.
SECTION 2. The Congress shall assemble at least
once in every year, and such meeting shall begin at noon
on the 3d day of January, unless they shall by law appoint
a different day.
SECTION 3. If, at the time fixed for the beginning of
the term of the President, the President elect shall have
died, the Vice President-elect shall become President. If a
President shall not have been chosen before the time fixed
for the beginning of his term, or if the President-elect shall
have failed to qualify, then the Vice President-elect shall
act as President until a President shall have qualified; and
the Congress may by law provide for the case wherein
neither a President-elect nor a Vice President-elect shall
have qualified, declaring who shall then act as President,
or the manner in which one who is to act shall be selected,
and such person shall act accordingly until a President or
Vice President shall have qualified.
SECTION 4. The Congress may by law provide for
the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the
House of Representatives may choose a President when-
ever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them,
and for the case of the death of any of the persons from
whom the Senate may choose a Vice President whenever
the right of choice shall have devolved upon them.
SECTION 5. Sections 1 and 2 shall take effect on the
15th day of October following the ratification of this
article.
SECTION 6. This article shall be inoperative unless
it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the consti-
tution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several
States within seven years from the date of its submission.
21ST AMENDMENT. Repeal of 18th Amendment
42
SECTION 1. The eighteenth article of amendment to
the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.
SECTION 2. The transportation or importation into
any state, Territory, or possession of the United States for
delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, in viola-
tion of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.
SECTION 3. This article shall be inoperative unless
it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Consti-
tution by conventions in the several states, as provided in
the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the
submission hereof the States by the Congress.
39
The 18th Amendment was repealed in its entirety by the 21st Amendment (1933).
40
Proposed by Congress June 4, 1919; ratified August 18, 1920.
41
Proposed March 2, 1932; ratified January 23, 1933.
42
Proposed by Congress February 20, 1933; ratified December 5, 1933.
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Documents of American History
22ND AMENDMENT. Presidential Tenure
43
SECTION 1. No person shall be elected to the office
of the President more than twice, and no person who has
held the office of President, or acted as President, for
more than two years of a term to which some other person
was elected President shall be elected to the office of the
President more than once. But this Article shall not apply
to any person holding the office of President when this
Article was proposed by the Congress, and shall not
prevent any person who may be holding the office of
President, or acting as President, during the term within
which this Article becomes operative from holding the
office of President or acting as President during the
remainder of such term.
SECTION 2. This article shall be inoperative unless
it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Consti-
tution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several
States within seven years from the date of its submission
to the States by the Congress.
23RD AMENDMENT. Presidential Electors for the
District of Columbia
44
SECTlON 1. The District constituting the seat of
Government of the United States shall appoint in such
manner as the Congress may direct:
A number of electors of President and Vice President
equal to the whole number of Senators and Representa-
tives in Congress to which the District would be entitled
if it were a State, but in no event more than the least
populous State; they shall be in addition to those ap-
pointed by the States, but they shall be considered, for the
purposes of the election of President and Vice President,
to be electors appointed by a State; and they shall meet in
the District and perform such duties as provided by the
twelfth article of amendment.
SECTlON 2. The Congress shall have power to en-
force this article by appropriate legislation.
24TH AMENDMENT. Right to Vote in Federal
Elections—Tax Payment
45
SECTlON l. The right of citizens of the United States
to vote in any primary or other election for President or
Vice President, for electors for President or Vice Presi-
dent, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall
not be denied or abridged by the United States or any
State by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other tax.
SECTlON 2. The Congress shall have power to en-
force this article by appropriate legislation.
25TH AMENDMENT. Presidential Succession,
Vice Presidential Vacancy, Presidential Inability
46
SECTlON l. In case of the removal of the President
from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice Presi-
dent shall become President.
SECTION 2. Whenever there is a vacancy in the
office of the Vice President, the President shall nominate
a Vice President who shall take office upon confirmation
by majority vote of both Houses of Congress.
SECTlON 3. Whenever the President transmits to
the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of
the House of Representatives his written declaration that
he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his
office, and until he transmits to them a written declara-
tion to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be
discharged by the Vice President as Acting President.
SECTION 4. Whenever the Vice President and a
majority of either the principal officers of the executive
departments or of such other body as Congress may by
law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the
Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives
their written declaration that the President is unable to
discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice
President shall immediately assume the powers and du-
ties of the office as Acting President.
43
Proposed by Congress March 24, 1947; ratified February 27, 1951.
44
Proposed by Congress June 16. 1960; ratified March 29 1961.
45
Proposed by Congress September 14, 1962; ratified January 23, 1964 .
46
Proposed by Congress July 6, 1965; ratified February 10, 1967.
55
Documents of American History
47
Proposed by Congress March 23, 1971; ratified July 1, 1971.
Thereafter, when the President transmits to the Presi-
dent pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the
House of Representatives his written declaration that no
inability exists, he shall resume the powers and duties of
his office unless the Vice President and a majority of
either the principal officers of the executive department
or of such other body as Congress may by law provide,
transmit within four days to the President pro tempore of
the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representa-
tives their written declaration that the President is unable
to discharge the powers and duties of his office. There-
upon Congress shall decide the issue, assembling within
forty-eight hours for that purpose if not in session. If the
Congress, within twenty-one days after receipt of the
latter written declaration, or, if Congress is not in session,
within twenty-one days after Congress is required to
assemble, determines by two-thirds vote of both Houses
that the President is unable to discharge the powers and
duties of his office, the Vice President shall continue to
discharge the same as Acting President; otherwise, the
President shall resume the powers and duties of his
office.
26TH AMENDMENT. Right to Vote—Age
47
SECTION l. The right of citizens of the United States,
who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be
denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on
account of age.
SECTION 2. Congress shall have power to enforce
this article by appropriate legislation.
27TH ADMENDMENT. Congressional Pay Raises
No law, varying the compensation for the services of
the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect until
an election of Representatives shall have intervened.
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Documents of American History
James, by the grace of God [King of England, Scot-
land, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith], etc.
Whereas our loving and weldisposed subjects, Sir Tho-
mas Gates and Sir George Somers, Knightes; Richarde
Hackluit, Clarke, Prebendarie of Westminster; and
Edwarde Maria Winghfeilde, Thomas Hannam and
Raleighe Gilberde, Esquiers; William Parker and George
Popham, Gentlemen; and divers others of our loving
subjects, have been humble sutors unto us that wee
woulde vouchsafe unto them our licence to make
habitacion, plantacion and to deduce a colonie of sondrie
of our people into that parte of America commonly called
Virginia, and other parts and territories in America either
appartaining unto us or which are not nowe actuallie
possessed by anie Christian prince or people, scituate,
lying and being all along the sea coastes between fower
and thirtie degrees of northerly latitude from the
equinoctiall line and five and fortie degrees of the same
latitude and in the maine lande betweene the same fower
and thirtie and five and fourtie degrees, and the ilandes
thereunto adjacente or within one hundred miles of the
coaste thereof;
And to that ende, and for the more speedy
accomplishemente of theire saide intended plantacion
and habitacion there, are desirous to devide themselves
into two severall colonies and companies, the one consist-
ing of certaine Knightes, gentlemen, marchanntes and
other adventurers of our cittie of London, and elsewhere,
which are and from time to time shalbe joined unto them
which doe desire to begin theire plantacions and
habitacions in some fitt and conveniente place between
fower and thirtie and one and fortie degrees of the said
latitude all alongest the coaste of Virginia and coastes of
America aforesaid and the other consisting of sondrie
Knightes, gentlemen, merchanntes, and other adventur-
ers of our citties of Bristoll and Exeter, and of our towne
of Plymouthe, and of other places which doe joine them-
selves unto that colonie which doe desire to beginn theire
plantacions and habitacions in some fitt and convenient
place betweene eighte and thirtie degrees and five and
fortie degrees of the saide latitude all alongst the saide
coaste of Virginia and America as that coaste lieth;
Wee, greately commending and graciously accept-
ing of theire desires to the furtherance of soe noble a
worke which may, by the providence of Almightie God,
hereafter tende to the glorie of His Divine Majestie in
propagating of Christian religion to suche people as yet
live in darkenesse and miserable ignorance of the true
knoweledge and worshippe of God and may in tyme
bring the infidels and salvages living in those parts to
humane civilitie and to a setled and quiet govermente,
doe by theise our lettres patents graciously accepte of and
agree to theire humble and well intended desires;
And doe, therefore, for us, our heires and successors,
grannte and agree that the saide Sir Thomas Gates, Sir
George Sumers, Richarde Hackluit and Edwarde Maria
Winghfeilde, adventurers of and for our cittie of London,
and all suche others as are or shalbe joined unto them of
that Colonie, shalbe called the Firste Colonie, and they
shall and may beginne theire saide firste plantacion and
seate of theire firste aboade and habitacion at anie place
upon the saide coaste of Virginia or America where they
shall thincke fitt and conveniente betweene the saide
fower and thirtie and one and fortie degrees of the saide
latitude; and that they shall have all the landes, woods,
soile, groundes, havens, ports, rivers, mines, mineralls,
marshes, waters, fishinges, commodities and
hereditamentes whatsoever, from the said first seate of
theire plantacion and habitacion by the space of fiftie
miles of Englishe statute measure all alongest the saide
coaste of Virginia and America towardes the weste and
southe weste as the coaste lieth, with all the islandes
within one hundred miles directlie over againste the
same sea coaste; and alsoe all the landes, soile, groundes
havens, ports, rivers, mines, mineralls, woods, marrishes
[marshes], waters, fishinges, commodities and
hereditamentes whatsoever, from the saide place of theire
firste plantacion and habitacion for the space of fiftie like
Englishe miles, all alongest the saide coaste of Virginia
and America towardes the easte and northeaste [or to-
ward the north] as the coaste lieth, together with all the
islandes within one hundred miles directlie over againste
the same sea coaste; and alsoe all the landes, woodes,
soile, groundes, havens, portes, rivers, mines, mineralls,
marrishes, waters, fishinges, commodities and
hereditamentes whatsoever, from the same fiftie miles
everie waie on the sea coaste directly into the maine lande
by the space of one hundred like Englishe miles; and shall
and may inhabit and remaine there; and shall and may
alsoe builde and fortifie within anie the same for theire
better safegarde and defence, according to theire best
April 10, 1606
The First Charter
57
Documents of American History
discrecions and the direction of the Counsell of that
Colonie; and that noe other of our subjectes shalbe per-
mitted or suffered to plante or inhabit behinde or on the
backside of them towardes the maine lande, without the
expresse licence or consente of the Counsell of that Colonie
thereunto in writing firste had or obtained.
And wee doe likewise for us, our heires and succes-
sors, by theise presentes grannte and agree that the saide
Thomas Hannam and Raleighe Gilberde, William Parker
and George Popham, and all others of the towne of
Plymouthe in the countie of Devon, or elsewhere, which
are or shalbe joined unto them of that Colonie, shalbe
called the Seconde Colonie; and that they shall and may
beginne theire saide firste plantacion and seate of theire
first aboade and habitacion at anie place upon the saide
coaste of Virginia and America, where they shall thincke
fitt and conveniente, betweene eighte and thirtie degrees
of the saide latitude and five and fortie degrees of the
same latitude; and that they shall have all the landes,
soile, groundes, havens, ports, rivers, mines, mineralls,
woods, marishes, waters, fishinges, commodities and
hereditaments whatsoever, from the firste seate of theire
plantacion and habitacion by the space of fiftie like
Englishe miles, as is aforesaide, all alongeste the saide
coaste of Virginia and America towardes the weste and
southwest, or towardes the southe, as the coaste lieth, and
all the islandes within one hundred miles directlie over
againste the saide sea coaste; and alsoe all the landes,
soile, groundes, havens, portes, rivers, mines, mineralls,
woods, marishes, waters, fishinges, commodities and
hereditamentes whatsoever, from the saide place of theire
firste plantacion and habitacion for the space of fiftie like
miles all alongest the saide coaste of Virginia and America
towardes the easte and northeaste or towardes the northe,
as the coaste liethe, and all the islandes alsoe within one
hundred miles directly over againste the same sea coaste;
and alsoe all the landes, soile, groundes, havens, ports,
rivers, woodes, mines, mineralls, marishes, waters,
fishings, commodities and hereditaments whatsoever,
from the same fiftie miles everie waie on the sea coaste,
directlie into the maine lande by the space of one hundred
like Englishe miles; and shall and may inhabit and remaine
there; and shall and may alsoe builde and fortifie within
anie the same for theire better saufegarde according to
theire beste discrecions and the direction of the Counsell
of that Colonie; and that none of our subjectes shalbe
permitted or suffered to plante or inhabit behinde or on
the backe of them towardes the maine lande without the
expresse licence or consente of the Counsell of that Colonie,
in writing thereunto, firste had and obtained.
Provided alwaies, and our will and pleasure herein
is, that the plantacion and habitacion of suche of the saide
Colonies as shall laste plante themselves, as aforesaid,
shall not be made within one hundred like Englishe miles
of the other of them that firste beganne to make theire
plantacion, as aforesaide.
And wee doe alsoe ordaine, establishe and agree for
[us], our heires and successors, that eache of the saide
Colonies shall have a Counsell which shall governe and
order all matters and causes which shall arise, growe, or
happen to or within the same severall Colonies, accord-
ing to such lawes, ordinannces and instructions as shalbe
in that behalfe, given and signed with our hande or signe
manuell and passe under the Privie Seale of our realme of
Englande; eache of which Counsells shall consist of
thirteene parsons and to be ordained, made and removed
from time to time according as shalbe directed and com-
prised in the same instructions; and shall have a severall
seale for all matters that shall passe or concerne the same
severall Counsells, eache of which seales shall have the
Kinges armes engraven on the one side there of and his
pourtraiture on the other; and that the seale for the
Counsell of the saide Firste Colonie shall have engraven
rounde about on the one side theise wordes: Sigillum
Regis Magne Britanie, Francie [et] Hibernie; on the other
side this inscripture rounde about: Pro Consillio Prime
Colonie Virginie. And the seale for the Counsell of the
saide Seconde Colonie shall alsoe have engraven rounde
about the one side thereof the foresaide wordes: Sigillum
Regis Magne Britanie, Francie [et] Hibernie; and on the
other side: Pro Consilio Secunde Colonie Virginie.
And that alsoe ther shalbe a Counsell established
here in Englande which shall in like manner consist of
thirteen parsons to be, for that purpose, appointed by us,
our heires and successors, which shalbe called our
Counsell of Virginia; and shall from time to time have the
superior managing and direction onelie of and for all
matters that shall or may concerne the govermente, as
well of the said severall Colonies as of and for anie other
parte or place within the aforesaide precinctes of fower
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Documents of American History
and thirtie and five and fortie degrees abovementioned;
which Counsell shal in like manner have a seale for
matters concerning the Counsell [or Colonies] with the
like armes and purtraiture as aforesaide, with this in-
scription engraven rounde about the one side: Sigillum
Regis Magne Britanie, Francie [et] Hibernie; and rounde
about the other side: Pro Consilio Suo Virginie.
And more over wee doe grannte and agree for us, our
heires and successors, that the saide severall Counsells of
and for the saide severall Colonies shall and lawfully may
by vertue hereof, from time to time, without interuption
of us, our heires or successors, give and take order to digg,
mine and searche for all manner of mines of goulde, silver
and copper, as well within anie parte of theire saide
severall Colonies as of the saide maine landes on the
backside of the same Colonies; and to have and enjoy the
goulde, silver and copper to be gotten there of to the use
and behoofe of the same Colonies and the plantacions
thereof; yeilding therefore yerelie to us, our heires and
successors, the fifte parte onelie of all the same goulde
and silver and the fifteenth parte of all the same copper
soe to be gotten or had, as is aforesaid, and without anie
other manner of profitt or accompte to be given or yeilded
to us, our heires or successors, for or in respecte of the
same.
And that they shall or lawfullie may establishe and
cawse to be made a coine, to passe currant there betwene
the people of those severall Colonies for the more ease of
trafiique and bargaining betweene and amongest them
and the natives there, of such mettall and in such manner
and forme as the same severall Counsells there shall
limitt and appointe. And wee doe likewise for us, our
heires and successors, by theise presents give full power
and auctoritie to the said Sir Thomas Gates, Sir George
Sumers, Richarde Hackluit, Edwarde Maria Winghfeilde,
Thomas Hannam, Raleighe Gilberde, William Parker
and George Popham, and to everie of them, and to the
saide severall Companies, plantacions and Colonies, that
they and everie of them shall and may at all and everie
time and times hereafter have, take and leade in the saide
voyage, and for and towardes the saide severall
plantacions and Colonies, and to travell thitherwarde
and to abide and inhabit there in everie of the saide
Colonies and plantacions, such and somanie of our
subjectes as shall willinglie accompanie them, or anie of
them, in the saide voyages and plantacions, with
sufficiente shipping and furniture of armour, weapon,
ordonnance, powder, victall, and all other thinges
necessarie for the saide plantacions and for theire use and
defence there: provided alwaies that none of the said
parsons be such as hereafter shalbe speciallie restrained
by us, our heires or successors.
Moreover, wee doe by theise presents, for us, our
heires and successors, give and grannte licence unto the
said Sir Thomas Gates, Sir George Sumers, Richarde
Hackluite, Edwarde Maria Winghfeilde, Thomas
Hannam, Raleighe Gilberde, William Parker and George
Popham, and to everie of the said Colinies, that they and
everie of them shall and may, from time to time and at all
times for ever hereafter, for theire severall defences,
incounter or expulse, repell and resist, aswell by sea as by
lande, by all waies and meanes whatsoever, all and everie
suche parson and parsons as without espiciall licence of
the said severall Colonies and plantacions shall attempte
to inhabit within the saide severall precincts and limitts of
the saide severall Colonies and plantacions, or anie of
them, or that shall enterprise or attempt at anie time
hereafter the hurte, detrimente or annoyance of the saide
severall Colonies or plantacions.
Giving and grannting by theise presents unto the
saide Sir Thomas Gates, Sir George Somers, Richarde
Hackluite, and Edwarde Maria Winghfeilde, and theire
associates of the said Firste Colonie, and unto the said
Thomas Hannam, Raleighe Gilberde, William Parker
and George Popham, and theire associates of the saide
Second Colonie, and to everie of them from time to time
and at all times for ever hereafter, power and auctoritie to
take and surprize by all waies and meanes whatsoever all
and everie parson and parsons with theire shipps, ves-
sels, goods and other furniture, which shalbe founde
traffiqueing into anie harbor or harbors, creeke, creekes
or place within the limitts or precincts of the saide severall
Colonies and plantacions, not being of the same Colonie,
untill such time as they, being of anie realmes or domin-
ions under our obedience, shall paie or agree to paie to the
handes of the Tresorer of the Colonie, within whose
limitts and precincts theie shall soe traffique, twoe and a
halfe upon anie hundred of anie thing soe by them
traffiqued, boughte or soulde; and being stranngers and
not subjects under our obeysannce, untill they shall paie
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five upon everie hundred of suche wares and commoditie
as theie shall traffique, buy or sell within the precincts of
the saide severall Colonies wherein theie shall soe
traffique, buy or sell, as aforesaide; which sommes of
money or benefitt, as aforesaide, for and during the space
of one and twentie yeres nexte ensuing the date hereof
shalbe whollie imploied to the use, benefitt and behoofe
of the saide severall plantacions where such trafficque
shalbe made; and after the saide one and twentie yeres
ended the same shalbe taken to the use of us, our heires
and successors by such officer and minister as by us, our
heires and successors shalbe thereunto assigned or ap-
pointed.
And wee doe further, by theise presentes, for us, our
heires and successors, give and grannte unto the saide Sir
Thomas Gates, Sir George Sumers, Richarde Hackluit,
and Edwarde Maria Winghfeilde, and to theire associates
of the saide Firste Colonie and plantacion, and to the
saide Thomas Hannam, Raleighe Gilberde, William Parker
and George Popham, and theire associates of the saide
Seconde Colonie and plantacion, that theie and everie of
them by theire deputies, ministers and factors may trans-
port the goods, chattells, armor, munition and furniture,
needfull to be used by them for theire saide apparrell,
defence or otherwise in respecte of the saide plantacions,
out of our realmes of Englande and Irelande and all other
our dominions from time to time, for and during the time
of seaven yeres nexte ensuing the date hereof for the
better releife of the said severall Colonies and plantacions,
without anie custome, subsidie or other dutie unto us,
our heires or successors to be yeilded or paide for the
same.
Alsoe wee doe, for us, our heires and successors,
declare by theise presentes that all and everie the parsons
being our subjects which shall dwell and inhabit within
everie or anie of the saide severall Colonies and plantacions
and everie of theire children which shall happen to be
borne within the limitts and precincts of the said severall
Colonies and plantacions shall have and enjoy all liber-
ties, franchises and immunites within anie of our other
dominions to all intents and purposes as if they had been
abiding and borne within this our realme of Englande or
anie other of our saide dominions.
Moreover our gracious will and pleasure is, and wee
doe by theise presents, for us, our heires and successors,
declare and sett forthe, that if anie parson or parsons
which shalbe of anie of the said Colonies and plantacions
or anie other, which shall trafficque to the saide Colonies
and plantacions or anie of them, shall at anie time or times
hereafter transporte anie wares, marchandize or com-
modities out of [any] our dominions with a pretence and
purpose to lande, sell or otherwise dispose the same
within anie the limitts and precincts of anie of the saide
Colonies and plantacions, and yet nevertheles being at
the sea or after he hath landed the same within anie of the
said Colonies and plantacions, shall carrie the same into
any other forraine countrie with a purpose there to sell or
dispose of the same without the licence of us, our heires
or successors in that behalfe first had or obtained, that
then all the goods and chattels of the saide parson or
parsons soe offending and transporting, together with
the said shippe or vessell wherein suche transportacion
was made, shall be forfeited to us, our heires and succes-
sors.
Provided alwaies, and our will and pleasure is and
wee doe hereby declare to all Christian kinges, princes
and estates, that if anie parson or parsons which shall
hereafter be of anie of the said severall Colonies and
plantacions, or anie other, by his, theire, or anie of theire
licence or appointment, shall at anie time or times hereaf-
ter robb or spoile by sea or by lande or doe anie acte of
unjust and unlawfull hostilitie to anie the subjects of us,
our heires or successors, or anie of the subjects of anie
king, prince, ruler, governor or state being then in league
or amitie with us, our heires or successors, and that upon
suche injurie or upon juste complainte of such prince,
ruler, governor or state or their subjects, wee, our heires
or successors, shall make open proclamation within anie
the ports of our realme of Englande, commodious for that
purpose, that the saide parson or parsons having com-
mitted anie such robberie or spoile shall, within the terme
to be limitted by suche proclamations, make full restitucion
or satisfaction of all suche injuries done, soe as the saide
princes or others soe complained may houlde themselves
fully satisfied and contented; and that if the saide parson
or parsons having committed such robberie or spoile
shall not make or cause to be made satisfaction accord-
ingly with[in] such time soe to be limitted, that then it
shalbe lawfull to us, our heires and successors to put the
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saide parson or parsons having committed such robberie
or spoile and theire procurers, abbettors or comfortors
out of our allegeannce and protection; and that it shalbe
lawefull and free for all princes and others to pursue with
hostilitie the saide offenders and everie of them and
theire and everie of theire procurors, aiders, abbettors
and comforters in that behalfe.
And finallie wee doe, for us, our heires and succes-
sors, grannte and agree, to and with the saide Sir Thomas
Gates, Sir George Sumers, Richarde Hackluit and Edwarde
Maria Winghfeilde, and all other of the saide Firste
Colonie, that wee, our heires or successors, upon peticion
in that behalfe to be made, shall, by lettres patents under
the Greate [Seale] of Englande, give and grannte unto
such parsons, theire heires and assignees, as the Counsell
of that Colonie or the most part of them shall for that
purpose nomminate and assigne, all the landes, tene-
ments and hereditaments which shalbe within the pre-
cincts limitted for that Colonie, as is aforesaid, to be
houlden of us, our heires and successors as of our mannor
of Eastgreenwiche in the countie of Kente, in free and
common soccage onelie and not in capite.
And doe, in like manner, grannte and agree, for us,
our heires and successors, to and with the saide Thomas
Hannam, Raleighe Gilberd, William Parker and George
Popham, and all others of the saide Seconde Colonie, that
wee, our heires [and] successors, upon petition in that
behalfe to be made, shall, by lettres patentes under the
Great Seale of Englande, give and grannte unto such
parsons, theire heires and assignees, as the Counsell of
that Colonie or the most parte of them shall for that
purpose nomminate and assigne, all the landes,
tenementes and hereditaments which shalbe within the
precinctes limited for that Colonie as is afore said, to be
houlden of us, our heires and successors as of our mannor
of Eastgreenwich in the countie of Kente, in free and
common soccage onelie and not in capite.
All which landes, tenements and hereditaments soe
to be passed by the saide severall lettres patents, shalbe,
by sufficient assurances from the same patentees, soe
distributed and devided amongest the undertakers for
the plantacion of the said severall Colonies, and such as
shall make theire plantacion in either of the said severall
Colonies, in such manner and forme and for such estates
as shall [be] ordered and sett [downe] by the Counsell of
the same Colonie, or the most part of them, respectively,
within which the same lands, tenements and heredita-
ments shall ly or be. Althoughe expresse mencion [of the
true yearly value or certainty of the premises, or any of
them, or of any other gifts or grants, by us or any our
progenitors or predecessors, to the aforesaid Sir Thomas
Gates, Knt. Sir George Somers, Knt. Richard Hackluit,
Edward-Maria Wingfield, Thomas Hanham, Ralegh Gil-
bert, William Parker, and George Popham, or any of
them, heretofore made, in these presents, is not made; or
any statute, act, ordnance, or provision, proclamation, or
restraint, to the contrary hereof had, made, ordained, or
any other thing, cause, or matter whatsoever, in any wise
notwithstanding.] In witnesse wherof [we have caused
these our letters to be made patents;] witnesse our selfe at
Westminister the xth day of Aprill [1606, in the fourth
year of our reign of England, France, and Ireland, and of
Scotland the nine and thirtieth.]
[Lukin]
Exactum per breve de private sigillo [etc.]
British Public Record Office, Chancery Patent Rolls
(c. 66), 1709; William Stith, The History of the First Discovery
and Settlement of Virginia (Williamsburg, Printed by Wil-
liam Parks, 1747; New York, 1865), Appendix, pp. 1-8 (1-
32 in 1865 edition); William Waller Hening, comp., The
Statutes at Large; Being a Collection of All the Laws of
Virginia, From the First Session of the Legislature, in the Year
1619 (13 vols., Richmond, 1809-23), I, 57-66. Hening
obtained the full charter texts from Stith.
Scanned from The Three Charters of the Virginia Com-
pany of London, with Seven Related Documents: 1606-1621,
edited and with an introduction by Samuel M. Bemiss
(Williamsburg, Va., 350th Anniversary Celebration Cor-
poration, 1957). This small volume contains the most
complete and accurate texts of all the Virginia charters.
The text of the charters is in the public domain and not
protected by copyright. Included in this publication is
the text of the documents and none of Mr. Bemiss’s
editorial notes. (Mr. Bemiss did point out some personal
names that appear in Stith but not in the British Public
Record Office copy.) Be aware that the scanned text is
verbatim, with no correction of spelling errors or transla-
tion of archaic words into modern English.
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Documents of American History
James, by the grace of God [King of England, Scot-
land, France and Ireland, defender of the faith, etc.] To all
[to whom these presents shall come, greeting.]
Whereas, at the humble suite and request of sondrie
oure lovinge and well disposed subjects intendinge to
deduce a colonie and to make habitacion and plantacion
of sondrie of oure people in that parte of America comonlie
called Virginia, and other part and territories in America
either apperteyninge unto us or which are not actually
possessed of anie Christian prince or people within
certaine bound and regions, wee have formerly, by oure
lettres patents bearinge date the tenth of Aprill in the
fourth yeare of oure raigne of England, Fraunce, and
Ireland, and the nine and thirtieth of Scotland, graunted
to Sir Thomas Gates, Sir George Somers and others, for
the more speedie accomplishment of the said plantacion
and habitacion, that they shoulde devide themselves into
twoe collonies—the one consistinge of divers Knights,
gentlemen, merchaunts and others of our cittie of Lon-
don, called the First Collonie; and the other of sondrie
Knights, gentlemen and others of the citties of Bristoll,
Exeter, the towne of Plymouth, and other places, called
the Seccond Collonie—and have yielded and graunted
maine and sondrie priviledges and liberties to each
Collonie for their quiet setlinge and good government
therein, as by the said lettres patents more at large
appeareth.
Nowe, forasmuch as divers and sondrie of oure
lovinge subjects, as well adventurers as planters, of the
said First Collonie (which have alreadie engaged them
selves in furtheringe the businesse of the said plantacion
and doe further intende by the assistance of Almightie
God to prosecute the same to a happie ende) have of late
ben humble suiters unto us that, in respect of their great
chardeges and the adventure of manie of their lives
which they have hazarded in the said discoverie and
plantacion of the said countrie, wee woulde be pleased to
graunt them a further enlargement and explanacion of
the said graunte, priviledge and liberties, and that suche
counsellors and other officers maie be appointed
amonngest them to manage and direct their affaires [as]
are willinge and readie to adventure with them; as also
whose dwellings are not so farr remote from the cittye of
London but that they maie at convenient tymes be readie
at hande to give advice and assistance upon all occacions
requisite.
We, greatlie affectinge the effectual prosecucion and
happie successe of the said plantacion and comendinge
their good desires theirin, for their further encourage-
ment in accomplishinge so excellent a worke, much
pleasinge to God and profitable to oure Kingdomes, doe,
of oure speciall grace and certeine knowledge and meere
motion, for us, oure heires and successors, give, graunt
and confirme to oure trustie and welbeloved subjects,
Robert, Earle of Salisburie [Salisbury]
Thomas, Earle of Suffolke [Suffolk]
Henrie, Earle of Southampton
William. Earle of Pembroke [Henrie]
[Henrie] Earle of Lincolne [Lincoln]
Henrie, Earle of Dorsett [Dorset]
Thomas, Earle of Exeter
Phillipp, Earle of Mountgommery
Robert, Lord Vicount Lisle
Theophilus, Lord Howard of Walden
James Mountague, Lord Bishopp of Bathe and Wells
Edward, Lord Zouche
Thomas, Lord Lawarr
Wiliam, Lord Mounteagle
Raphe, Lord Ewre
Edmond, Lord Sheffeild [Sheffield]
Grey, Lord Shandis [Chandois]
[Grey], Lord Compton
John, Lord Petre
John, Lord Stanhope
George, Lord Carew
Sir Humfrey Welde, Lord Mayor of London [Weld]
George Pertie, Esquire [Percie]
Sir Edward Cecill, Knight [Cecil]
Sir George Wharton, Knight
Frauncis West, Esquire
Sir William Waade, Knight [Wade]
Sir Henrie Nevill, Knight [Nevil]
Sir Thomas Smithe, Knight [Smith]
Sir Oliver Cromwell, Knight
Sir Peter Manwood, Knight
Sir Dru Drurie, Knight [Drury]
Sir John Scott, Knight [Scot]
Sir Thomas Challouer, Knight [Challoner]
Sir Robert Drurie, Knight [Drury]
Sir Anthonye Cope, Knight
May 23, 1609
The Second Charter
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Documents of American History
Sir Horatio Veere, Knight [Vere]
Sir Edward Conwaie, Knight [Conway]
Sir William Browne [Brown]
Sir Maurice Barkeley, Knight [Berkeley]
Sir Roberte Maunsell, Knight [Mansel]
Sir Amias Presou, Knight [Preston]
Sir Thomas Gates, Knight
Sir Anthonie Ashley, Knight [Ashly]
Sir Michaell Sandes, Knight [Sandys]
Sir Henrie Carew, Knight [Carey]
Sir Stephen Soame, Knight
Sir Calisthenes Brooke, Knight
Sir Edward Michelborne, Knight [Michelborn]
Sir John Racliffe, Knight [Ratcliffe]
Sir Charles Willmott, Knight [Wilmot]
Sir George Moore, Knight [Moor]
Sir Hugh Wirrall, Knight [Wirral]
Sir Thomas Dennys, Knight [Dennis]
Sir John Hollis, Knight [Holles]
Sir William Godolphin, Knight
Sir Thomas Monnson, Knight [Monson]
Sir Thomas Ridgwaie, Knight [Ridgwine]
Sir John Brooke, Knight
Sir Roberte Killigrew, Knight
Sir Henrie Peyton, Knight
Sir Richard Williamson, Knight
Sir Ferdinando Weynman, Knight
Sir William St. John, Knight
Sir Thomas Holcrofte, Knight [Holcroft]
Sir John Mallory, Knight
Sir Roger Ashton, Knight
Sir Walter Cope, Knight
Sir Richard Wigmore, Knight
Sir William Cooke, Knight [Coke]
Sir Herberte Crofte, Knight
Sir Henrie Faushawe, Knight [Fanshaw]
Sir John Smith, Knight
Sir Francis Wolley, Knight
Sir Edward Waterhouse, Knight
Sir Henrie Sekeford, Knight [Seekford]
Sir Edward Saudes, Knights [Edwin Sandys]
Sir Thomas Wayneman, Knight [Waynam]
Sir John Trevor, Knight
Sir Warrwick Heale, Knight [Heele]
Sir Robert Wroth, Knight
Sir John Townnesende, Knight [Townsend]
Sir Christopher Perkins, Knight
Sir Daniell Dun, Knight
Sir Henrie Hobarte, Knight [Hobart]
Sir Franncis Bacon, Knight
Sir Henrie Mountague, Knight [Montague]
Sir Georg Coppin, Knight
Sir Samuell Sandes, Knight [Sandys]
Sir Thomas Roe, Knight
Sir George Somers, Knight
Sir Thomas Freake, Knight
Sir Thomas Horwell, Knight [Harwell]
Sir Charles Kelke, Knight
Sir Baptist Hucks, Knight [Hicks]
Sir John Watts, Knight
Sir Roberte Carey, Knight
Sir William Romney, Knight
Sir Thomas Middleton, Knight
Sir Hatton Cheeke, Knight
Sir John Ogle, Knighte
Sir Cavallero Meycot, Knight
Sir Stephen Riddlesden, Knight [Riddleson]
Sir Thomas Bludder, Knight
Sir Anthonie Aucher, Knight
Sir Robert Johnson, Knight
Sir Thomas Panton, Knight
Sir Charles Morgan, Knight
Sir Stephen Powle, Knight [Pole]
Sir John Burlacie, Knight
Sir Christofer Cleane, Knight [Cleave]
Sir George Hayward, Knight
Sir Thomas Dane, Knight [Davis]
Sir Thomas Dutton, Knight [Sutton]
Sir Anthonie Forrest, Knight [Forest]
Sir Robert Payne, Knight
Sir John Digby, Knight
Sir Dudley Diggs, Knight [Digges]
Sir Rowland Cotton, Knight
Doctour Mathewe Rutcliffe [Sutcliffel
Doctor Meddowes [Meadows]
Doctor Tumer
Doctor Poe
Captaine Pagnam
Captaine Jeffrey Holcrofte
Captaine Raunne [Romney]
Captaine Henrie Spry
Captaine Shelpton [Shelton]
Captaine Spark [Sparks]
[Captain] Thomas Wyatt [Wyat]
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Documents of American History
Captaine Brinsley
Captaine William Courtney
Captaine Herbert
Captaine Clarke
Captaine Dewhurst
Captaine John Blundell
Captaine Frier [Fryer]
Captaine Lewis Orwell
Captaine Edward Lloyd [Loyd]
Captaine Slingesby
Captaine Huntley [Hawley]
Captaine Orme
Captaine Woodhouse
Captaine Mason
Captaine Thomas Holcroft
Captaine John Cooke [Coke]
Captaine Hollis [Hollesl
Captaine William Proude
Captaine Henrie Woodhouse
Captaine Richard Lindeley [Lindesey]
Captaine Dexter
Captaine William Winter
Captaine Herle [Pearsel
Captain John Bingham
Captaine Burray
Captaine Thomas Conwey [Conway]
Captaine Rookwood
Captaine William Lovelace
Captaine John Ashley
Captaine Thomas Wynne
Captaine Thomas Mewtis
Captaine Edward Harwood
Captaine Michaell Evered [Everard]
Captaine Connoth [Comock]
Captaine Miles [Mills]
Captaine Pigott [Pigot]
Captaine Edward Maria Wingfeild [Wingfield]
Captaine ChristopherNewporte [Newport]
Captaine John Siclemore, alias Ratcliffe [Sicklemore]
Captaine John Smith
Captyn John Martyn [Martin]
Captaine Peter Wynne
Captaine Waldoe [Waldo]
Captyn Thomas Wood
Captaine Thomas Button
George Bolls, Esquire, Sheriffe of London
William Crashawe, [Clerk], Bachelor of Divinite
William Seabright, Esquire
Christopher Brook, Esquire
John Bingley, Esquire
Thomas Watson, Esquire
Richard Percivall, Esquire [Percival]
John Moore, Esquire
Hugh Brooker, Esquire
David Waterhouse, Esquire [Woodhouse]
Anthonie Auther, Esquier [Aucher]
Roberte Bowyer, Esquire [Boyer]
Raphe Ewens, Esquire
Zacharie Jones, Esquire
George Calvert, Esquire
William Dobson, Esquire
Henry Reynold, Esquire [Reynolds]
Thomas Walker, Esquire
Anthonie Barnars, Esquire
Thomas Sandes, Esquire [Sandys]
Henrie Sand, Esquire [Sandys]
Richard Sand [Sandys],
Sonne of Sir Edwin Sandes [Sandys]
William Oxenbridge, Esquire
John Moore, Esquire
Thomas Wilson, Esquire
John Bullocke, Esquire [Bullock]
John Waller, [Esquire]
Thomas Webb
Jehughe Robinson
William Brewster
Robert Evelyn
Henrie Dabenie [Danby]
Richard Hacklewte, minister [Hackluit]
John Eldred, marchaunt [Eldrid]
William Russell, marchaunt
John Merrick, marchaunt
Richard Bannester, merchant [Banister]
Charles Anthonie, goldsmithe [Anthony]
John Banck [Banks]
William Evans
Richard Humble
Robert Chamberleyne,
marchaunt [Richard Chamberlayne]
Thomas Barber, marchaunt
Richard Pevyrell, merchaunt [Pomet]
John Fletcher, merchant
Thomas Nicholls, merchant
John Stoak, merchaunt [Stoke]
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Documents of American History
Gabriell Archer
Franncis Covell [Covel]
William Bouham [Bonham]
Edward Harrison
John Wolstenholme
Nicholas Salter
Hugh Evans
William Barners [Barnes]
Otho Mawdett [Mawdet]
Richard Staper, marchant
John Elkin, marchaunt
William Cayse [Coyse]
Thomas Perkin, cooper
Humfrey Ramell, cooper [Humphrey James]
Henry Jackson
Roberte Shingleton [Singleton]
Christopher Nicholls
John Harper
Abraham Chamberlaine [Chamberlayne]
Thomas Shipton
Thomas Carpenter
Anthoine Crewe [Crew]
George Holman
Robert Hill
Cleophas Smithe [Smith]
Raphe Harrison
John Farmer
James Brearley
William Crosley [Crosby]
Richard Cocks [Cox]
John Gearinge [Gearing]
Richard Strough, iremonnger [Strongarm]
Thomas Langton
Griffith Hinton
Richard Ironside
Richard Deane [Dean]
Richard Turner
William Leveson, mercer [Lawson]
James Chatfeilde [Chatfield]
Edward Allen [Edward Allen Tedder]
Tedder Roberts
Heldebrand Sprinson [Robert Hildebrand Sprinson]
Arthur Mouse
John Gardener [Gardiner]
James Russell [Russel]
Richard Casewell [Caswell]
Richard Evanns [Evans]
John Hawkins
Richard Kerrill [Kerril]
Richard Brooke
Mathewe Scrivener, gentleman [Screvener]
William Stallendge, gentleman [Stallenge]
Arthure Venn, gentleman
Saund Webb, gentleman [Sandys Webbe]
Michaell Phettiplace, gentleman
William Phetiplace, gentleman [Phettiplace]
Ambrose Brusey, gentleman [Prusey]
John Taverner, gentleman
George Pretty, gentleman
Peter Latham, gentleman
Thomas Monnford, gentleman [Montford]
William Cautrell, gentleman [Cantrel]
Richard Wiffine, gentleman [Wilfin]
Raphe Mooreton, gentleman [Moreton]
John Cornellis [Comelius]
Martyn Freeman
Raphe Freeman
Andreau Moore
Thomas White
Edward Perkin
Robert Osey
Thomas Whitley
George Pitt [Pit]
Roberte Parkehurste [Parkhurst]
Thomas Morris
Peter Vaulore [Harloe]
Jeffrey Duppa
John Gilbert
William Hancock
Mathew Bromrigg [Brown]
Francis Tirrell [Tyrrel]
Randall Carter
Othowell Smithe [Smith]
Thomas Honnyman [Hamond]
Marten Bonde, haberdasher [Bond]
Joan Mousloe [John Moulsoe]
Roberte Johnson
William Younge [Young]
John Woddall [Woodal]
William Felgate
Humfrey Westwood
Richard Champion
Henrie Robinson
Franncis Mapes
65
Documents of American History
William Sambatch [Sambach]
Rauley Crashawe [Ralegh Crashaw]
DaruelLliacker
Thomas Grave
Hugh Willestone
Thomas Culpepper, of Wigsell, Esquire
John Culpepper, gentleman
Henrie Lee
Josias Kirton, gentleman [Kerton]
John Porie, gentleman [Pory]
Henrie Collins
George Burton
William Atkinson
Thomas Forrest [Forest]
John Russell [Russel]
John Houlte [Holt]
Harman Harrison
Gabriell Beedell [Beedel]
John Beedell [Beedel]
Henrie Dankes [Dawkes]
George Scott [Scot]
Edward Fleetewood, gentleman [Fleetwood]
Richard Rogers, gentleman
Arthure Robinson
Robert Robinson
John Huntley
John Grey [Gray]
William Payne
William Feilde [Field]
William Wattey
William Webster
John Dingley
Thomas Draper
Richard Glanvile [Glanvil]
Arnolde Lulls [Hulls]
Henrie Rowe [Roe]
William Moore [More]
Nicholas Grice [Gryce]
James Monnger [Monger]
Nicholas Andrewes [Andrews]
Jerome Haydon, iremonnger [Jeremy Haydon]
Phillipp Durrant [Philip Durette]
John Quales [Quarles]
John West
Madlew Springeham [Springham]
John Johnson
Christopher Hore
George Barkeley
Thomas Sued [Snead]
George Barkeley [Berkeley]
Ardhure Pett [Pet]
Thomas Careles
William Barkley [Berkley]
Thomas Johnson
Alexander Bent [Bents]
Captaine William Kinge [King]
George Sandes, gentleman [Sandys]
James White, gentleman
Edmond Wynn [Wynne]
Charles Towler
Richard Reynold
Edward Webb
Richard Maplesden
Thomas Levers [Lever]
David Bourne
Thomas Wood
Raphe Hamer
Edward Barnes, mercer
John Wright, mercer
Robert Middleton
Edward Litsfeild [Littlefield]
Katherine West
Thomas Webb [Web]
Raphe Kinge [King]
Roberte Coppine [Coppin]
James Askewe
Christopher Nicholls [Christopher Holt]
William Bardwell
Alexander Childe [Chiles]
Lewes Tate
Edward Ditchfeilde [Ditchfield]
James Swifte
Richard Widdowes, goldesmith
Edmonde Brundells [Brudenell]
John Hanford [Hansford]
Edward Wooller
William Palmer, haberdasher
John Badger
John Hodgson
Peter Monnsill [Mounsel]
Jahn Carrill [Carril]
John Busbridge [Bushridge]
William Dunn [Dun]
Thomas Johnson
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Documents of American History
Nicholas Benson
Thomas Shipton
Nathaniell Wade
Randoll Wettwood [Wetwood]
Mathew Dequester
Charles Hawkins
Hugh Hamersley
Abraham Cartwright
George Bennett [Bennet]
William Cattor [Cater]
Richard Goddart
Henrie Cromwell
Phinees Pett [Pet]
Roberte Cooper
Henrie Neite [Newce]
Edward Wilks [Wilkes]
Roberte Bateman
Nicholas Farrar
John Newhouse
John Cason
Thomas Harris, gentleman
George Etheridge, gentleman
Thomas Mayle, gentleman
Richard Stratford [Stafford]
Thomas
Richard Cooper
John Westrowe [Westrow]
Edward Welshe [Welch]
Thomas Brittanie [Britain]
Thomas Knowls [Knowles]
Octavian Thome
Edmonde Smyth [Smith]
John March
Edward Carew
Thomas Pleydall
Richard Lea [Let]
Miles Palmer
Henrie Price
John Josua, gentleman
[Joshua]
William Clawday [Clauday]
Jerome Pearsye
John Bree, gentleman
William Hampson
Christopher Pickford
Thomas Hunt
Thomas Truston
Christopher Lanman [Salmon]
John Haward, clerke [Howard]
Richarde Partridge
Allen Cotton [Cassen]
Felix Wilson
Thomas Colethurst [Bathurst]
George Wilmer
Andrew Wilmer
Morrice Lewellin
Thomas Jedwin [Godwin]
Peter Burgoyne
Thomas Burgoyne
Roberte Burgoyne
Roberte Smithe, merchauntaylor [Smith]
Edward Cage, grocer
Thomas Canon, gentleman [Cannon]
William Welby, stacioner
Clement Wilmer, gentleman
John Clapham, gentleman
Giles Fraunces, gentleman [Francis]
George Walker, sadler
John Swinehowe, stacioner [Swinhow]
Edward Bushoppe, stacioner [Bishop]
Leonard White, gentleman
Christopher Barron [Baron]
Peter Benson
Richard Smyth [Smith]
George Prockter, minister [Proctor]
Millicent Ramesden, widowe [Ramsdent]
Joseph Soane
Thomas Hinshawe [Hinshaw]
John Baker
Robert Thorneton [Thomton]
John Davies [Davis]
Edward Facett [Facetl
George Nuce, gentleman [Newce]
John Robinson
Captaine Thomas Wood
William Browne, shoemaker [Brown]
Roberte Barker, shoemaker
Roberte Penington [Pennington]
Francis Burley, minister
William Quick, grocer
Edward Lewes, grocer [Lewis]
Laurence Campe, draper
Aden Perkins, grocer
Richard Shepparde, preacher [Shepherd]
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William Sheckley, haberdasher [Sherley]
William Tayler, haberdasher [Taylor]
Edward Lukyn, gentleman [Edwin Lukin]
John Francklyn, haberdasher [Franklyn]
John Southicke [Southwick]
Peter Peate
George Johan, iremonnger
George Yardley, gentleman [Yeardley]
Henrie Shelly [Shelley]
John Pratt [Prat]
Thomas Church, draper
William Powell, gentleman [Powel]
Richard Frithe, gentleman [Frith]
Thomas Wheeler, draper
Franncis Hasilerigg, gentleman [Haselrig]
Hughe Shippley, gentleman [Shipley]
John Andrewes, thelder, [doctor],
of Cambridge [Andrews]
Franncis Whistley, gentleman [Whistler]
John Vassall, gentleman
Richard Howle
Edward Barkeley, gentleman [Berkeley]
Richard Knerisborough, gentleman [Keneridgburg]
Nicholas Exton, draper
William Bennett, fishmonger [Bennet]
James Hawood, marchaunt [Haywood]
Nicholas Isaak, merchaunt [Isaac]
William Gibbs, merchannt
[William] Bushopp [Bishop]
Barnard Michell [Mitchel]
Isaake Michell [Isaac Mitchel]
John Streat [Streate]
Edward Gall
John Marten, gentleman [Martin]
Thomas Fox
Luke Lodge
John Woodleefe, gentleman [Woodliffel
Rice Webb [Piichard]
Vincent Lowe [Low]
Samuell Burnam [Burnham]
Edmonde Pears, haberdasher
Josua Goudge [John Googe]
John St. John
Edwarde Vaughan
William Dunn
Thomas Alcock [Alcocke]
John Andrewes, the younger,
of Cambridge [Andrews]
Samuell Smithe [Smith]
Thomas Jerrard [Gerrard]
Thomas Whittingham
William Cannynge [Canning]
Paule Caminge [Canning]
George Chaudler [Chandler]
Henrye Vincent
Thomas Ketley
James Skelton
James Montain [Mountaine]
George Webb, gentleman
Josephe Newbroughesmith
[Joseph Newbridge, smith]
Josias Mande [Mand]
Raphe Haman, the younger [Hamer]
Edward Brewster, the sonne of William Brewster
Leonard Harwood, mercer
Phillipp Druerdent
William Carpenter
Tristram Hill
Roberte Cock, grocer
Laurence Grene, grocer [Greene]
Daniell Winche, grocer [Samuel Winch]
Humfrey Stile, grocer
Averie Dransfeild, grocer [Dransfield]
Edwarde Hodges, grocer
Edward Beale, grocer
Raphe Busby, grocer
John Whittingham, grocer
John Hide, grocer
Mathew Shipperd, grocer [Shepherd]
Thomas Allen, grocer
Richard Hooker, grocer
Laurence Munckas, grocer [Munks]
John Tanner, grocer
Peter Gate, grocer
John Blunt, grocer
Roberte Berrisford, grocer
Thomas Wells, gentleman
John Ellis, grocer
Henrie Colthurst, grocer
John Cranage, grocer [Cavady]
Thomas Jenings, grocer [Jennings]
Edmond Peshall, grocer [Pashall]
Timothie Bathurst, grocer
Gyles Parslowe, grocer [Parslow]
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Roberte Johnson, grocer [Richard]
William Janson, vintener [Johnson]
Ezechiell Smith
Richard Murrettone [Martin]
William Sharpe
Roberte Ritche [Rich]
William Stannerd, inholder [Stannard]
John Stocken
William Strachey, gentleman
George Farmer, gentleman
Thomas Gypes, clothworker
Abraham Dawes, gentleman [Davies]
Thomas Brockett, gentleman [Brocket]
George Bathe, fishmonger [Bache]
John Dike, fishmonger
Henrie Spranger
Richard Farringdon [Farrington]
Chistopher Vertue, vintener
Thomas Baley, vintener [Bayley]
George Robins, vintener
Tobias Hinson, grocer
Urian Spencer [Vrian]
Clement Chachelley [Chicheley]
John Searpe, gentleman [Scarpe]
James Cambell, iremonnger [Campbell]
Christopher Clitherowe, iremonnger [Clitheroe]
Phillipp Jacobson
Peter Jacobson, of Andwarpe
William Barckley [Berkeley]
Miles Banck, cutler [Banks]
Peter Highley, grocer [Higgons]
Henrie John, gentleman
John Stoakley, merchauntailor [Stokeley]
The companie of mercers
The companie of grocers
The companie of drapers
The company of fishmongers
The companie of gouldsmithes
The companie of skynners
The companie merchauntailors
The companie of haberdashers
The companie of salters
The companie of iremongers
The companie of vintners
The companie of clothworkers
The companie of dyers
The companie of bruers
The companie of lethersellers
The companie of pewterers
The companie of cutlers
The companie of whitebakers
The companie of waxchaundlers
The companie of tallowe chaundlers
The companie of armorers
The companie of girdlers
The companie of butchers
The companie of sadlers
The companie of carpenters
The companie of cordwayners
The companie of barbor chirurgions
The companie of painter stayners
The companie of curriers
The companie of masons
The companie of plumbers
The companie of inholders
The companie of founders
The companie of poulterers
The companie of cookes
The companie of coopers
The companie of tylers and bncklayers
The companie of bowyers
The companie of Retchers
The companie of blacksmithes
The companie of joyners
The companie of weavers
The companie of wollmen
The companie of wood monnvers
The companie of scrivenors
The companie of fruterers
The companie of plasterers
The companie of brownebakers
The companie of stacioners
The companie of imbroderers
The companie of upholsters
The companie of musicions
The companie of turners
The companie of baskettmakers
The companie of glasiers
John Levett, merchaunt [Levet]
Thomas Nomicott, clothworker [Nomicot]
Richard Venn, haberdasher
Thomas Scott, gentleman [Scot]
Thomas Juxson, merchauntaylor [Juxon]
George Hankinson
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Thomas Leeyer, gentleman [Seyer]
Mathew Cooper
Gorge Butler, gentleman
Thomas Lawson, gentleman
Edward Smith, haberdasher
Stephen Sparrowe
John Jones, merchaunt
[John] Reynold, brewer [Reynolds]
Thomas Plummer, merchaunt
James Duppa, bruer
Rowland Coytemore [Coitmore]
William Sotherne [Southerne]
Gorge Whittmoore, haberdasher [Whitmore]
Anthonie Gosoulde, the younger [Gosnold]
John Allen, fishemonger
John Kettlebye, gentleman [Kettleby]
Symonde Yeomans, fishmonger [Simon]
Richard Chene, gouldsmithe
Launcelot Davis, gentleman [Clene]
John Hopkins, an alderman of Bristoll
George Hooker, gentlernan
Roberte Shevinge, yeoman [Chening]
And to such and so manie as they doe or shall
hereafter admitt to be joyned with them, in forme hereaf-
ter in theis presentes expressed, whether they goe in their
persons to be planters there in the said plantacion, or
whether they goe not, but doe adventure their monyes,
goods or chattels, that they shalbe one bodie or
communaltie perpetuall and shall have perpetual succes-
sion and one common seale to serve for the saide bodie or
communaltie; and that they and their successors shalbe
knowne, called and incorporated by the name of The
Tresorer and Companie of Adventurers and Planters of
the Citty of London for the Firste Collonie in Virginia.
And that they and their successors shalbe from
hensforth, forever enabled to take, acquire and purchase,
by the name aforesaid (licens for the same from us, oure
heires or successors first had and obtained) anie manner
of lands, tenements and hereditaments, goods and chat-
tels, within oure realme of England and dominion of
Wales; and that they and their successors shalbe likewise
enabled, by the name aforesaid, to pleade and to be
impleaded before anie of oure judges or justices, in anie
oure courts, and in anie accions or suits whatsoever.
And wee doe also, of oure said speciall grace, certaine
knowledge and mere mocion, give, grannte and confirme
unto the said Tresorer and Companie, and their succes-
sors, under the reservacions, limittacions and declaracions
hereafter expressed, all those lands, countries and territo-
ries scituat, lieinge and beinge in that place of America
called Virginia, from the pointe of lande called Cape or
Pointe Comfort all alonge the seacoste to the northward
twoe hundred miles and from the said pointe of Cape
Comfort all alonge the sea coast to the southward twoe
hundred miles; and all that space and circuit of lande
lieinge from the sea coaste of the precinct aforesaid upp
unto the lande, throughoute, from sea to sea, west and
northwest; and also all the island beinge within one
hundred miles alonge the coaste of bothe seas of the
precincte aforesaid; togeather with all the soiles, groundes,
havens and portes, mynes, aswell royall mynes of golde
and silver as other mineralls, pearles and precious stones,
quarries, woods, rivers, waters, fishings, comodities, ju-
risdictions, royalties, priviledges, franchisies and
preheminences within the said territorie and the pre-
cincts there of whatsoever; and thereto or there abouts,
both by sea and lande, beinge or in anie sorte belonginge
or appertayninge, and which wee by oure lettres patents
maie or cann graunte; and in as ample manner and sorte
as wee or anie oure noble progenitors have heretofore
graunted to anie companie, bodie pollitique or corporate,
or to anie adventurer or adventurers, undertaker or un-
dertakers, of anie discoveries, plantacions or traffique of,
in, or into anie forraine parts whatsoever; and in as large
and ample manner as if the same were herin particulerly
mentioned and expressed: to have, houlde, possesse and
enjoye all and singuler the said landes, countries and
territories with all and singuler other the premisses here-
tofore by theis [presents] graunted or mencioned to be
grannted, to them, the said Tresorer and Companie, their
successors and assignes, forever; to the sole and proper
use of them, the said Tresorer and Companie, their suc-
cessors and assignes [forever], to be holden of us, oure
heires and successors, as of oure mannour of
Estgreenewich, in free and common socage and not in
capite; yeldinge and payinge, therefore, to us, oure heires
and successors, the fifte parte onlie of all oare of gould
and silver that from tvme to time, and at all times hereaf-
ter, shalbe there gotton, had and obtained, for all manner
of service.
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And, nevertheles, oure will and pleasure is, and wee
doe by theis presentes chardge, commannde, warrant
and auctorize, that the said Tresorer and Companie and
their successors, or the major parte of them which shall be
present and assembled for that purpose, shall from time
to time under their common seale distribute, convey,
assigne and set over such particuler porcions of lands,
tenements and hereditaments, by theise presents for-
merly grannted, unto such oure lovinge subjects naturallie
borne of denizens, or others, aswell adventurers as plant-
ers, as by the said Companie, upon a commission of
survey and distribucion executed and retourned for that
purpose, shalbe named, appointed and allowed, wherein
oure will and pleasure is, that respect be had as well of the
proporcion of the adventure[r] as to the speciall service,
hazarde, exploite or meritt of anie person so as to be
recompenced, advannced or rewarded.
And for as muche as the good and prosperous successe
of the said plantacion cannot but cheiflie depende, next
under the blessinge of God and the supporte of oure
royall aucthoritie, upon the provident and good direccion
of the whole enterprise by a carefull and understandinge
Counsell, and that it is not convenient that all the adven-
turers shalbe so often drawne to meete and assemble as
shalbe requisite for them to have metings and conference
aboute theire affaires, therefore we doe ordaine, establishe
and confirme that there shalbe perpetually one Counsell
here resident, accordinge to the tenor of oure former
lettres patents, which Counsell shall have a seale for the
better governement and administracion of the said
plantacion besides the legall seale of the Companie or
Corporacion, as in oure former lettres patents is also
expressed.
And further wee establishe and ordaine that
Henrie, Earl of Southampton
William, Earl of Pembrooke
Henrie, Earl of Lincoln
Thomas, Earl of Exeter
Roberte, Lord Viscounte Lisle
Lord Theophilus Howard
James, Lord Bishopp of Bathe and Wells
Edward, Lord Zouche
Thomas, Lord Laware
William, Lord Mounteagle
Edmunde, Lord Sheffeilde
Grey, Lord Shanndoys [Chandois]
John, Lord Stanhope
George, Lord Carew
Sir Humfrey Welde, Lord Mayor of London
Sir Edward Cecil
Sir William Waad [Wade]
Sir Henrie Nevill
Sir Thomas Smith
Sir Oliver Cromwell
Sir Peter Manwood
Sir Thomas Challoner
Sir Henrie Hovarte [Hobart]
Sir Franncis Bacon
Sir George Coppin
Sir John Scott
Sir Henrie Carey
Sir Roberte Drurie [Drury]
Sir Horatio Vere
Sir Eward Conwaye [Conway]
Sir Maurice Berkeley [Barkeley]
Sir Thomas Gates
Sir Michaele Sands [Sandys]
Sir Roberte Mansfeild [Mansel]
Sir John Trevor
Sir Amyas Preston
Sir William Godolphin
Sir Walter Cope
Sir Robert Killigrewe
Sir Henrie Faushawe [Fanshaw]
Sir Edwyn Sandes [Sandys]
Sir John Watts
Sir Henrie Montague
Sir William Romney
Sir Thomas Roe
Sir Baptiste Hicks
Sir Richard Williamson
Sir Stephen Powle [Poole]
Sir Dudley Diggs
Christopher Brooke, [Esq.]
John Eldred, and
John Wolstenholme
shalbe oure Counsell for the said Companie of Ad-
venturers and Planters in Virginia.
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And the said Sir Thomas Smith wee ordaine to be
Tresorer of the said Companie, which Tresorer shall have
aucthoritie to give order for the warninge of the Counsell
and sommoninge the Companie to their courts and meet-
ings.
And the said Counsell and Tresorer or anie of them
shalbe from henceforth nominated, chosen, contynued,
displaced, chaunged, altered and supplied, as death or
other severall occasions shall require, out of the Companie
of the said adventurers by the voice of the greater parte of
the said Counsell and adventurers in their assemblie for
that purpose; provided alwaies that everie Councellor so
newlie elected shalbe presented to the Lord Channcellor
of England, or to the Lord Highe Treasurer of England,
or the Lord Chambleyne of the housholde of us, oure
heires and successors, for the tyme beinge to take his
oathe of a Counsellor to us, oure heires and successors,
for the said Companie and Collonie in Virginia.
And wee doe by theis presents, of oure especiall
grace, certaine knowledge and meere motion, for us, oure
heires and successors, grannte unto the said Tresorer and
Companie and their successors, that if it happen at anie
time or times the Tresorer for the tyme beinge to be sick,
or to have anie such cause of absente from the cittie of
London as shalbe allowed by the said Counsell or the
greater parte of them assembled, so as he cannot attende
the affaires of that Companie, in everie such case it shall
and maie be lawfull for such Tresorer for the tyme beinge
to assigne, constitute and appointe one of the Counsell for
Companie to be likewise allowed by the Counsell or the
greater parte of them assembled to be the deputie Tresorer
for the said Companie; which Deputie shall have power
to doe and execute all things which belonge to the said
Tresorer duringe such tyme as such Tresorer shalbe sick
or otherwise absent, upon cause allowed of by the said
Counsell or the major parte of them as aforesaid, so fullie
and wholie and in as large and ample manner and forme
and to all intents and purposes as the said Tresorer if he
were present himselfe maie or might doe and execute the
same.
And further of oure especiall grace, certaine knowl-
edge and meere mocion, for us, oure heires and succes-
sors, wee doe by theis presents give and grannt full power
and aucthoritie to oure said Counsell here resident aswell
at this present tyme as hereafter, from time to time, to
nominate, make, constitute, ordaine and confirme by
such name or names, stile or stiles as to them shall seeme
good, and likewise to revoke, dischardge, channge and
alter aswell all and singuler governors, oficers and min-
isters which alreadie hath ben made, as also which here-
after shalbe by them thought fitt and meedefull to be
made or used for the government of the said Colonie and
plantacion.
And also to make, ordaine and establishe all manner
of orders, lawes, directions, instructions, formes and
ceremonies of government and magistracie, fitt and
necessarie, for and concerninge the government of the
said Colonie and plantacion; and the same att all tymes
hereafter to abrogate, revoke or chaunge, not onely within
the precincts of the said Colonie but also upon the seas in
goeing and cominge to and from the said Collonie, as they
in their good discrecions shall thinke to be fittest for [the]
good of the adventurers and inhabiters there.
And we doe also declare that for divers reasons and
consideracions us thereunto especiallie moving, oure
will and pleasure is and wee doe hereby ordaine that
imediatlie from and after such time as anie such governour
or principall officer so to be nominated and appointed by
oure said Counsell for the governement of the said Colonie,
as aforesaid, shall arive in Virginia and give notice unto
the Collonie there resident of oure pleasure in this
behalfe, the government, power and aucthority of the
President and Counsell, heretofore by oure former lettres
patents there established, and all lawes and constitucions
by them formerlie made, shall utterly cease and be deter-
mined; and all officers, governours and ministers for-
merly constituted or appointed shalbe dischardged, anie
thinge in oure said former lettres patents conserninge the
said plantacion contayned in aniewise to the contrarie
notwithstandinge; streightlie chardginge and
commaundinge the President and Counsell nowe resi-
dent in the said Collonie upon their alleadgiance after
knowledge given unto them of oure will and pleasure by
theis presentes signified and declared, that they forth
with be obedient to such governor or governers as by
oure said Counsell here resident shalbe named and ap-
pointed as aforesaid; and to all direccions, orders and
commandements which they shall receive from them,
aswell in the present resigninge and giveinge upp of their
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aucthoritie, offices, chardg and places, as in all other
attendannce as shalbe by them from time to time re-
quired.
And wee doe further by theis presentes ordaine and
establishe that the said Tresorer and Counsell here resi-
dent, and their successors or anie fower of them as-
sembled (the Tresorer beinge one), shall from time to time
have full power and aucthoritie to admitt and receive
anie other person into their companie, corporacion and
freedome; and further, in a generall assemblie of the
adventurers, with the consent of the greater parte upon
good cause, to disfranchise and putt oute anie person or
persons oute of the said fredome and Companie.
And wee doe also grannt and confirme for us, oure
heires and successors that it shalbe lawfull for the said
Tresorer and Companie and their successors, by direccion
of the Governors there, to digg and to serche for all
manner of mynes of goulde, silver, copper, iron, leade,
tinne and other mineralls aswell within the precincts
aforesaid as within anie parte of the maine lande not
formerly graunted to anie other; and to have and enjoye
the gould, silver, copper, iron, leade, and tinn, and all
other mineralls to be gotten thereby, to the use and
behoofe of the said Companie of Planters and Adventur-
ers, yeldinge therefore and payinge yerelie unto us, oure
heires and successors, as aforesaid.
And wee doe further of oure speciall grace, certaine
knowledge and meere motion, for us, oure heires and
successors, grannt, by theis presents to and withe the said
Tresorer and Companie and their successors, that it shalbe
lawfull and free for them and their assignes at all and
everie time and times here after, oute of oure realme of
England and oute of all other [our] dominions, to take
and leade into the said voyage, and for and towards the
said plantacion, and to travell thitherwards and to abide
and inhabite therein the said Colonie and plantacion, all
such and so manie of oure lovinge subjects, or anie other
straungers that wilbecomme oure lovinge subjects and
live under oure allegiance, as shall willinglie accompanie
them in the said voyadge and plantation with sufficient
shippinge armour, weapons, ordinannce, municion, pow-
der, shott, victualls, and such merchaundize or wares as
are esteemed by the wilde people in those parts, clothinge,
implements, furnitures, catle, horses and mares, and all
other thinges necessarie for the said plantation and for
their use and defence and trade with the people there,
and in passinge and retourninge to and from without
yeldinge or payinge subsedie, custome, imposicion, or
anie other taxe or duties to us, oure heires or successors,
for the space of seaven yeares from the date of theis
presents; provided, that none of the said persons be such
as shalbe hereafter by speciall name restrained by us,
oure heires or successors.
And for their further encouragement, of oure speciall
grace and favour, wee doe by theis present for us, oure
heires and successors, yeild and graunte to and with the
said Tresorer and Companie and their successors and
everie of them, their factors and assignes, that they and
every of them shalbe free and quiett of all subsedies and
customes in Virginia for the space of one and twentie
yeres, and from all taxes and imposicions for ever, upon
anie goods or merchaundizes at anie time or times here-
after, either upon importation thither or exportation from
thence into oure realme of England or into anie other of
oure [realms or] dominions, by the said Tresorer and
Companie and their successors, their deputies, factors
[or] assignes or anie of them, except onlie the five pound
per centum due for custome upon all such good and
merchanndizes as shalbe brought or imported into oure
realme of England or anie other of theis oure dominions
accordinge to the auncient trade of merchannts, which
five poundes per centum onely beinge paid, it shalbe
thensforth lawfull and free for the said Adventurers the
same goods [and] merchaundizes to export and carrie
oute of oure said dominions into forraine partes without
anie custome, taxe or other duty tO be paide to us oure
heires or successors or to anie other oure officers or
deputies; provided, that the saide goods and
merchaundizes be shipped out within thirteene monethes
after their first landinge within anie parte of those domin-
ions.
And wee doe also confirme and grannt to the said
Tresorer and Companie, and their successors, as also to
all and everie such governer or other officers and minis-
ters as by oure said Counsell shalbe appointed, to have
power and aucthoritie of governement and commannd
in or over the said Colonie or plantacion; that they and
everie of them shall and lawfullie maie from tyme to tyme
and at all tymes forever hereafter, for their severall de-
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fence and safetie, enconnter, expulse, repell and resist by
force and armes, aswell by sea as by land, and all waies
and meanes whatsoever, all and everie such person and
persons whatsoever as without the speciall licens of the
said Tresorer and Companie and their successors shall
attempte to inhabite within the said severall precincts
and lymitts of the said Colonie and plantacion; and also,
all and everie such person and persons whatsoever as
shall enterprise, or attempte at anie time hereafter,
destruccion, invasion, hurte, detriment or annoyannce to
the said Collonye and plantacion, as is likewise specified
in the said former grannte.
And that it shalbe lawful for the said Tresorer and
Companie, and their successors and everie of them, from
time to time and at all times hereafter, and they shall have
full power and aucthoritie, to take and surprise by all
waies and meanes whatsoever all and everie person and
persons whatsoever, with their shippes, goods and other
furniture, traffiquinge in anie harbor, creeke or place
within the limitts or precincts of the said Colonie and
plantacion, [not] being allowed by the said Companie to
be adventurers or planters of the said Colonie, untill such
time as they beinge of anie realmes or dominions under
oure obedience shall paie or agree to paie, to the hands of
the Tresorer or [of] some other officer deputed by the said
governors in Virginia (over and above such subsedie and
custome as the said Companie is or here after shalbe to
paie) five poundes per centum upon all goods and
merchaundizes soe brought in thither, and also five per
centum upon all goods by them shipped oute from thence;
and being straungers and not under oure obedience untill
they have payed (over and above such subsedie and
custome as the same Tresorer and Companie and their
successors is or hereafter shalbe to paie) tenn pounds per
centum upon all such goods, likewise carried in and oute,
any thinge in the former lettres patents to the contrarie
not withstandinge; and the same sommes of monie and
benefitt as aforesaid for and duringe the space of one and
twentie yeares shalbe wholie imploied to the benefitt and
behoof of the said Colonie and plantacion; and after the
saide one and twentie yeares ended, the same shalbe
taken to the use of us, oure heires or successors, by such
officer and minister as by us, oure heires or successors,
shalbe thereunto assigned and appointed, as is specified
in the said former lettres patents.
Also wee doe, for us, oure heires and successors,
declare by theis presents, that all and everie the persons
beinge oure subjects which shall goe and inhabit within
the said Colonye and plantacion, and everie of their
children and posteritie which shall happen to be borne
within [any] the lymitts thereof, shall have [and] enjoye
all liberties, franchesies and immunities of free denizens
and naturall subjects within anie of oure other dominions
to all intents and purposes as if they had bine abidinge
and borne within this oure kingdome of England or in
anie other of oure dominions.
And forasmuch as it shalbe necessarie for all such our
lovinge subjects as shall inhabitt within the said precincts
of Virginia aforesaid to determine to live togither in the
feare and true woorshipp of Almightie God, Christian
peace and civill quietnes, each with other, whereby everie
one maie with more safety, pleasure and profitt enjoye
that where unto they shall attaine with great paine and
perill, wee, for us, oure heires and successors, are like-
wise pleased and contented and by theis presents doe
give and graunte unto the said Tresorer and Companie
and their successors and to such governors, officers and
ministers as shalbe, by oure said Councell, constituted
and appointed, accordinge to the natures and lymitts of
their offices and places respectively, that they shall and
maie from time to time for ever hereafter, within the said
precincts of Virginia or in the waie by the seas thither and
from thence, have full and absolute power and aucthority
to correct, punishe, pardon, governe and rule all such the
subjects of us, oure heires and successors as shall from
time to time adventure themselves in anie voiadge thither
or that shall at anie tyme hereafter inhabitt in the pre-
cincts and territorie of the said Colonie as aforesaid,
accordinge to such order, ordinaunces, constitution, di-
rections and instruccions as by oure said Counsell, as
aforesaid, shalbe established; and in defect thereof, in
case of necessitie according to the good discretions of the
said governours and officers respectively, aswell in cases
capitall and criminall as civill, both marine and other, so
alwaies as the said statuts, ordinannces and proceedinges
as neere as convenientlie maie be, be agreable to the
lawes, statutes, government and pollicie of this oure
realme of England.
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And we doe further of oure speciall grace, certeine
knowledge and mere mocion, grant, declare and ordaine
that such principall governour as from time to time shall
dulie and lawfullie be aucthorised and appointed, in
manner and forme in theis presents heretofore expressed,
shall [have] full power and aucthoritie to use and exercise
marshall lawe in cases of rebellion or mutiny in as large
and ample manner as oure leiutenant in oure counties
within oure realme of England have or ought to have by
force of their comissions of lieutenancy. And further-
more, if anie person or persons, adventurers or planters,
of the said Colonie, or anie other at anie time or times
hereafter, shall transporte anie monyes, goods or
marchaundizes oute of anie [of] oure kingdomes with a
pretence or purpose to lande, sell or otherwise dispose
the same within the lymitts and bounds of the said
Collonie, and yet nevertheles beinge at sea or after he
hath landed within anie part of the said Colonie shall
carrie the same into anie other forraine Countrie, with a
purpose there to sell and dispose there of that, then all the
goods and chattels of the said person or persons so
offendinge and transported, together with the shipp or
vessell wherein such transportacion was made, shalbe
forfeited to us, oure heires and successors.
And further, oure will and pleasure is, that in all
questions and doubts that shall arrise upon anie difficultie
of construccion or interpretacion of anie thinge contained
either in this or in oure said former lettres patents, the
same shalbe taken and interpreted in most ample and
beneficiall manner for the said Tresorer and Companie
and their successors and everie member there of.
And further, wee doe by theis presents ratifie and
confirme unto the said Tresorer and Companie and their
successors all privuleges, franchesies, liberties and
immunties graunted in oure said former lettres patents
and not in theis oure lettres patents revoked, altered,
channged or abridged.
And finallie, oure will and pleasure is and wee doe
further hereby for us, oure heires and successors grannte
and agree, to and with the said Tresorer and Companie
and their successors, that all and singuler person and
persons which shall at anie time or times hereafter adven-
ture anie somme or sommes of money in and towards the
said plantacion of the said Colonie in Virginia and shalbe
admitted by the said Counsell and Companie as adven-
turers of the said Colonie, in forme aforesaid, and shalbe
enrolled in the booke or record of the adventurers of the
said Companye, shall and maie be accompted, accepted,
taken, helde and reputed Adventurers of the said Collonie
and shall and maie enjoye all and singuler grannts,
priviledges, liberties, benefitts, profitts, commodities [and
immunities], advantages and emoluments whatsoever as
fullie, largely, amplie and absolutely as if they and everie
of them had ben precisely, plainely, singulerly and dis-
tinctly named and inserted in theis oure lettres patents.
And lastely, because the principall effect which wee
cann desier or expect of this action is the conversion and
reduccion of the people in those partes unto the true
worshipp of God and Christian religion, in which respect
wee would be lothe that anie person should be permitted
to passe that wee suspected to affect the superstitions of
the Churche of Rome, wee doe hereby declare that it is
oure will and pleasure that none be permitted to passe in
anie voiadge from time to time to be made into the saide
countrie but such as firste shall have taken the oath of
supremacie, for which purpose wee doe by theise pre-
sents give full power and aucthoritie to the Tresorer for
the time beinge, and anie three of the Counsell, to tender
and exhibite the said oath to all such persons as shall at
anie time be sent and imploied in the said voiadge.
Although expresse mention [of the true yearly value
or certainty of the premises, or any of them, or of any
other gifts or grants, by us or any of our progenitors or
predecessors, to the aforesaid Treasurer and Company
heretofore made, in these presents is not made; or any act,
statute, ordinance, provision, proclamation, or restraint,
to the contrary hereof had, made, ordained, or provided,
or any other thing, cause, or matter, whatsoever, in any
wise notwithstanding.] In witnes whereof [we have caused
these our letters to be made patent. Witness ourself at
Westminster, the 23d day of May (1609) in the seventh
year of our reign of England, France, and Ireland, and of
Scotland the ****]
Per ipsum Regem exactum.
British Public Record Office, Chancery Patent Rolls
(c. 66), 1796, 5; William Stith, The History of the First
Discovery and Settlement of Virginia (Williamsburg, Printed
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by William Parks, 1747; New York, 1865), Appendix, pp.
8-22 (1-32 in 1865 edition); William Waller Hening, comp.,
The Statutes at Large; Being a Collection of All the Laws of
Virginia, From the First Session of the Legislature, in the Year
1619 (13 vols., Richmond, 1809-23), I, 80-98. Hening
obtained the full charter texts from Stith.
Scanned from The Three Charters of the Virginia Com-
pany of London, with Seven Related Documents: 1606-1621,
edited and with an introduction by Samuel M. Bemiss
(Williamsburg, Va., 350th Anniversary Celebration Cor-
poration, 1957). This small volume contains the most
complete and accurate texts of all the Virginia charters.
The text of the charters is in the public domain and not
protected by copyright. Included in this publication is
the text of the documents and none of Mr. Bemiss’s
editorial notes. (Mr. Bemiss did point out some personal
names that appear in Stith but not in the British Public
Record Office copy.) Be aware that the scanned text is
verbatim, with no correction of spelling errors or transla-
tion of archaic words into modern English.
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James, by the grace of God [King of England, Scot-
land, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith;] to all to
whom [these presents shall come,] greeting. Whereas at
the humble suite of divers and sundry our lovinge sub-
jects, aswell adventurers as planters of the First Colonie
in Virginia, and for the propagacion of Christian religion
and reclayminge of people barbarous to civilitie and
humanitie, we have by our lettres patent bearing date at
Westminster the three and twentieth daie of May in the
seaventh yeare of our raigne of England, Frannce and
Ireland, and the twoe and fortieth of Scotland, given and
grannted unto them, that they and all suche and soe
manie of our loving subjects as shold from time to time for
ever after be joyned with them as planters or adventurers
in the said plantacion, and their successors for ever, shold
be one body politique incorporated by the name of The
Treasorer and Planters of the Cittie of London for the First
Colonie in Virginia;
And whereas allsoe for the greater good and benefitt
of the said Companie and for the better furnishing and
establishing of the said plantacion we did further [give],
grannte and confirme by our said lettres patent unto the
said Treasorer and Companie and their successors for
ever, all those landes, contries and territories scituate,
lyeing and being in that part of America called Virginia,
from the point of land called Cape [or] Pointe Comfort all
along the seacoste to the northward twoe hundred miles,
and from the said point of Cape Comfort all along the
seacoste to the sowthward twoe hundred miles, and all
the space and circuit of land lying from the sea coste of the
precinct aforesaid up or into the land throughout from
sea to sea, west and northwest, and allso all the islandes
lying within one hundred miles along the coast of both
the seas of the precinct aforsaid, with diverse other grannts,
liberties, franchises, preheminences, privileges, profiitts,
benefitts, and commodities, grannted in and by our said
lettres patent to the said Tresorer and Companie, and
their successors, for ever:
Now for asmuchas we are given to undestande that
in these seas adjoyning to the said coast of Virginia and
without the compasse of those twoe hundred miles by us
soe grannted unto the said Treasurer and Companie as
aforesaid, and yet not farr distant from the said Colony in
Virginia, there are or may be divers islandes lying deso-
late and uninhabited, some of which are already made
knowne and discovered by the industry, travell, and
expences of the said Company, and others allsoe are
supposed to be and remaine as yet unknowen and undis-
covered, all and every of which itt maie importe the said
Colony both in safety and pollecy of trade to populate
and plant, in regard where of, aswell for the preventing of
perill as for the better comodity and prosperity of the said
Colony, they have bin humble suitors unto us that we
wold be pleased to grannt unto them an inlardgement of
our said former lettres patent, aswell for a more ample
extent of their limitts and territories into the seas adjoyning
to and uppon the coast of Virginia as allsoe for some other
matters and articles concerning the better government of
the said Company and Collony, in which point our said
former lettres patents doe not extende soe farre as time
and experience hath found to be needfull and convenient:
We, therefore, tendring the good and happy successe
of the said plantacion both in respect of the generall weale
of humane society as in respect of the good of our owne
estate and kingedomes, and being willing to give
furtherannt untoall good meanes that may advannce the
benefitt of the said Company and which maie secure the
safety of our loving subjects, planted in our said Colony
under the favour and proteccion of God Almighty and of
our royall power and authority, have therefore of our
especiall grace, certein knowledge and mere mocion,
given, grannted and confirmed, and for us, our heires and
successors we doe by theis presents, give, grannt and
confirme unto the said Treasurer and Company of Ad-
venturers and Planters of the said Citty of London for the
First Colony in Virginia, and to their heires and succes-
sors for ever, all and singuler the said iselandes [whatso-
ever] scituat and being in anie part of the said ocean
bordering upon the coast of our said First Colony in
Virginia and being within three hundred leagues of anie
the partes hertofore grannted to the said Treasorer and
Company in our said former lettres patents as aforesaid,
and being within or betweene the one and fortie and
thirty degrees of Northerly latitude, together with all and
singuler [soils] landes, groundes, havens, ports, rivers,
waters, fishinges, mines and mineralls, aswell royal mines
of gold and silver as other mines and mineralls, perles,
precious stones, quarries, and all and singuler other
commodities, jurisdiccions, royalties, priviledges, fran-
chises and preheminences, both within the said tract of
lande uppon the maine and allso within the said iselandes
March 12, 1612
The Third Charter
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and seas adjoyning, whatsoever, and thereunto or there
abouts both by sea and land being or scituat; and which,
by our lettres patents, we maie or cann grannt and in as
ample manner and sort as we or anie our noble progeni-
tors have heretofore grannted to anie person or persons
or to anie Companie, bodie politique or corporate or to
any adventurer or adventurers, undertaker or undertak-
ers of anie discoveries, plantacions or traffique, of, in, or
into anie foreigne parts whatsoever, and in as lardge and
ample manner as if the same were herein particularly
named, mencioned and expressed: provided allwaies
that the said iselandes or anie the premisses herein
mencioned and by theis presents intended and meant to
be grannted be not already actually possessed or inhab-
ited by anie other Christian prince or estate, nor be within
the bounds, limitts or territories of the Northerne Colonie,
hertofore by us grannted to be planted by divers of our
loving subjects in the northpartes of Virginia. To have
and to hold, possesse and injoie all and singuler the said
iselandes in the said ocean seas soe lying and bordering
uppon the coast or coasts of the territories of the said First
Colony in Virginia as aforesaid, with all and singuler the
said soiles, landes and groundes and all and singular
other the premisses heretofore by theis presents grannted,
or mencioned to be grannted, to them, the said Treasurer
and Companie of Adventurers and Planters of the Cittie
of London for the First Colonie in Virginia, and to their
heires, successors and assignes for ever, to the sole and
proper use and behoofe of them, the said Treasurer and
Companie and their heires, successores and assignes for
ever; to be holden of us, our heires and successors as of
our mannor of Eastgreenwich, in free and common soc-
cage and not in capite, yealding and paying therefore, to
us, our heires and successors, the fifte part of the oare of
all gold and silver which shalbe there gotten, had or
obteined for all manner of services, whatsoever.
And further our will and pleasure is, and we doe by
theis presents grannt and confirme for the good and
welfare of the said plantacion, and that posterity maie
hereafter knowe whoe have adventured and not bin
sparing of their purses in such a noble and generous
accion for the generall good of theire cuntrie, and at the
request and with the consent of the Companie afore said,
that our trusty and welbeloved subjects.
George, Lord Archbishopp of Canterbury
Gilbert, Earle of Shrewsberry
Mary, Countesse of Shrewes
Elizabeth, Countesse of Derby
Margarett, Countesse of Comberland
Henry, Earle of Huntingdon
Edward, Earle of Beddford
Lucy, Countesse of Bedford
Marie, Countesse of Pembroke
Richard, Earle of Clanrickard
Lady Elizabeth Graie
William, Lord Viscount Crambome
William, Lord Bishopp of Duresme
Henry, Lord Bishopp of Worceter
John, Lord Bishopp of Oxonford
William, Lord Pagett
Dudley, Lord North
Franncis, Lord Norries
William, Lord Knollis
John, Lord Harrington
Robert, Lord Spencer
Edward, Lord Denny
William, Lord Cavendishe
James, Lord Hay
Elianor, Lady Cave [Carre]
Maistres Elizabeth Scott, widdow
Edward Sackvill, Esquier
Sir Henry Nevill, of Aburgavenny, Knight
Sir Robert Riche, Knight
Sir John Harrington, Knight
Sir Raphe Wimwood, Knight
Sir John Graie, Knight
Sir Henry Riche, Knight
Sir Henry Wotton, Knight
Peregrine Berly, Esquier [Berty]
Sir Edward Phelipps, Knight, Maister of the Rolls
Sir Moile Finche, Knight
Sir Thomas Mansell, Knight
Sir John St. John, Knight
Sir Richard Spencer, Knight
Sir Franncis Barrington, Knight
Sir George Carie of Devonshire, Knight
Sir William Twisden, Knight
Sir John Leveson, Knight
Sir Thomas Walsingham, Knight
Sir Edward Care, Knight
Sir Arthure Manwaringe, Knight
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Sir Thomas Jermyn, Knight
Sir Valentine Knightley, Knight
Sir John Dodderidge, Knight
Sir John Hungerford, Knight
Sir John Stradling, Knight
Sir John Bourchidd, Knight [Bourchier]
Sir John Bennett, Knight
Sir Samuel Leonard, Knight
Sir Franncis Goodwin, Knight
Sir Wareham St. Legier, Knight
Sir James Scudamore, Knight
Sir Thomas Mildmaie, Knight
Sir Percivall Harte, Knight
Sir Percivall Willoughby, Knight
Sir Franncis Leigh, Knight
Sir Henry Goodere, Knight
Sir John Cutt, Knight
Sir James Parrett, Knight
Sir William Craven, Knight
Sir John Sammes, Knight
Sir Carey Raleigh, Knight
Sir William Maynard, Knight
Sir Edmund Bowyer, Knight
Sir William Cornewallis, Knight
Sir Thomas Beomont, Knight
Sir Thomas Cunningsby, Knight
Sir Henry Beddingfeild, Knight
Sir David Murray, Knight
Sir William Poole, Knight
Sir William Throgmorton, Knight
Sir Thomas Grantham, Knight
Sir Thomas Stewkley, Knight
Sir Edward Heron, Knight
Sir Ralph Shelten, Knight
Sir Lewes Thesam, Knight
Sir Walter Aston, Knight
Sir Thomas Denton, Knight
Sir Ewstace Hart, Knight
Sir John Ogle, Knight
Sir Thomas Dale, Knight
Sir William Boulstrod, Knight
Sir William Fleetwood, Knight
Sir John Acland, Knight
Sir John Hanham, Knight
Sir Roberte Meller, Knight [Millor]
Sir Thomas Wilford, Knight
Sir William Lower, Knight
Sir Thomas Lerdes, Knight [Leedes]
Sir Franncis Barneham, Knight
Sir Walter Chate, Knight
Sir Thomas Tracy, Knight
Sir Marmaduke Darrell, Knight
Sir William Harrys, Knight
Sir Thomas Gerrand, Knight
Sir Peter Freetchvile, Knight
Sir Richard Trevor, Knight
Sir Amias Bamfeild
Sir William Smith of Essex, Knight
Sir Thomas Hewett, Knight
Sir Richard Smith, Knight
Sir John Heyward, Knight
Sir Christopher Harris, Knight
Sir John Pettus, Knight
Sir William Strode, Knight
Sir Thomas Harfleet, Knight
Sir Walter Vaughan, Knight
Sir William Herrick, Knight
Sir Samuell Saltonstall, Knight
Sir Richard Cooper, Knight
Sir Henry Fane, Knight
Sir Franncis Egiok, Knight
Sir Robert Edolph, Knight
Sir Arthure Harries, Knight
Sir George Huntley, Knight
Sir George Chute, Knight
Sir Robert Leigh, Knight
Sir Richard Lovelace, Knight
Sir William Lovelace, Knight
Sir Robert Yaxley, Knight
Sir Franncis Wortley, Knight
Sir Franncis Heiborne, Knight
Sir Guy Palme, Knight
Sir Richard Bingley, Knight
Sir Ambrose Turvill, Knight
Sir Nicholas Stoddard, Knight
Sir William Gree, Knight
Sir Walter Coverte, Knight
Sir Thomas Eversfeild, Knight
Sir Nicholas Parker, Knight
Sir Edward Culpeper, Knight
Sir William Ayliffe, Knight, and
Sir John Keile, Knight
Doctor George Mountaine, Dean of Westminster
Lawrence Bohan, Docktor in Phisick
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Anthony Hinton, Doctor in Phisick
John Pawlett
Arthure Ingram
Anthony Irby
John Weld
John Walter
John Harris
Anthony Dyott
William Ravenscrofte
Thomas Warre
William Hackwill
Lawrence Hide
Nicholas Hide
Thomas Stevens
Franncis Tate
Thomas Coventry
John Hare
Robert Askwith
George Sanndys
Franncis Jones
Thomas Wentworth
Henry Cromewell
John Arundell
John Culpeper
John Hoskins
Walter Fitz Williams
Walter Kirkham
William Roscarrock
Richard Carmerdon
Edward Carne
Thomas Merry
Nicholas Lichfeild
John Middleton
John Smithe, and
Thomas Smith, the sonnes of Sir Thomas Smith
Peter Franke
George Gerrand
Gregory Sprynte
John Drake
Roger Puleston
Oliver Nicholas
Richard Nunnington [Monyngton]
John Vaughan
John Evelin
Lamorock Stradling
John Riddall
John Kettleby
Warren Townsend
Lionell Cranfeild
Edward Salter
William Litton
Humfrey May
George Thorpe
Henry Sandys, and
Edwin Sandys, the sonnes of Sir Edwin Sandys
Thomas Conway
Captaine Owen Gwinn
Captaine Giles Hawkridge
Edward Dyer
Richard Connock
Benjamin Brand
Richard Leigh, and
Thomas Pelham, Esquiers
Thomas Digges, and
John Digges, Esquiers, the sonnes of
Sir Dudley Diggs,
Franncis Bradley
Richard Buckminster [Buck]
Franncis Burley
John Procter
Thomas Frake, thelder, and
Henry Freake, thelder, Ministers of God’s word
The mayor and citizens of Chichester
The mayor and jurates of Dover
The bailiffs, burgesses and comonalty of Ipswich
The mayor and comunalty of Lyme Regis
The mayor and comonalty of Sandwich
The wardens, assistants and companie of the
Trinity House
Thomas Martin
Franncis Smaleman
Augustine Steward
Richard Tomlins
Humfrey Jobson
John Legate
Robert Backley [Barkley]
John Crowe
Edward Backley [Barkley]
William Flett [Fleet]
Henry Wolstenholme
Edmund Alleyn
George Tucker
Franncis Glanville
Thomas Gouge
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John Evelin
William Hall
John Smithe
George Samms
John Robinson
William Tucker
John Wolstenholme, and
Henry Wolstenholme, sonnes of
John Wolstenholme, Esquier
William Hodges
Jonathan Mattall [Nuttall]
Phinees Pett
Captaine John Kinge
Captaine William Beck
Giles Alington
Franncis Heiton, and
Samuell Holliland, gentleman
Richard Chamberlaine
George Chamberlaine
Hewett Staper
Humfrey Handford
Raph Freeman
George Twinhoe [Swinhoe]
Richard Pigott
Elias Roberts
Roger Harris
Devereux Wogan
Edward Baber
William Greenewell
Thomas Stilles
Nicholas Hooker
Robert Garsett
Thomas Cordell
William Bright
John Reynold
Peter Bartley
John Willett
Humfry Smithe
Roger Dye
Nicholas Leate
Thomas Wale
Lewes Tate
Humfrey Merrett
Roberte Peake
Powell Isaackson
Sebastian Viccars
Jarvis Mundes
Richard Wamer
Gresham Hogan Warner
Daniell Deruley
Andrew Troughton
William Barrett
Thomas Hodges
John Downes
Richard Harper
Thomas Foxall
William Haselden
James Harrison
William Burrell
John Hodsall
Richard Fisborne
John Miller
Edward Cooke
Richard Hall, marchaunt
Richard Hall, ankersmith
John Delbridge
Richard Francklin
Edmund Scott
John Britten
Robert Stratt
Edmund Pond
Edward James
Robert Bell
Richard Herne
William Ferrers
William Millett
Anthony Abdy
Roberte Gore
Benjamin Decrow
Henry Tunbedey [Timberly]
Humfrey Basse
Abraham Speckart
Richard Moorer
William Compton
Richard Poulsoune [Pontsonne]
William Wolaston
John Desmont, clothier [Beomont]
Alexannder Childe
William Fald, fishmonger
Franncis Baldwin
John Jones, marchant
Thomas Plomer
Edward Plomer, marchants
John Stoickden
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Robert Tindall
Peter Erundell
Ruben Bourne
Thomas Hampton, and
Franncis Carter, citizens of London,
whoe since our said last lettres patent are become
adventurers and have joined themselves with the former
adventurers and planters of the said Companie and
societie, shall from henceforth be reputed, deemed and
taken to be and shalbe brethren and free members of the
Companie and shall and maie, respectively, and accord-
ing to the proportion and value of their severall adven-
tures, have, hold and enjoie all suche interest, right, title,
priviledges, preheminences, liberties, franchises, immu-
nities, profitts and commodities whatsoever in as lardge,
ample and beneficiall manner to all intents, construccions
and purposes as anie other adventures nominated and
expressed in anie our former lettres patent, or anie of
them have or maie have by force and vertue of theis
presents, or anie our former lettres patent whatsoever.
And we are further pleased and we doe by theis
presents grannt and confirm that
Phillipp, Earle of Montgomery
William, Lord Paget
Sir John Harrington, Knight
Sir William Cavendish, Knight
Sir John Sammes, Knight
Sir Samuell Sandys, Knight
Sir Thomas Freke, Knight
Sir William St. John, Knight
Sir Richard Grobham, Knight
Sir Thomas Dale, Knight
Sir Cavalliero Maycott, Knight
Richard Martin, Esquier
John Bingley, Esquier
Thomas Watson, Esquier, and
Arthure Ingram, Esquier,
whome the said Treasurer and Companie have, since
the said [last] lettres patent, nominated and sett downe as
worthy and discreete persons fitt to serve us as Counsel-
lors, to be of our Counsell for the said plantacion, shalbe
reputed, deemed and taken as persons of our said Councell
for the said First Colonie in such manner and sort to all
intents and purposes as those whoe have bin formerly
ellected and nominated as our Counsellors for that Colonie
and whose names have bin or are incerted and expressed
in our said former lettres patent.
And we doe hereby ordaine and grannt by theis
presents that the said Treasurer and Companie of Adven-
turers and Planters, aforesaid, shall and maie, once everie
weeke or oftener at their pleasure, hold and keepe a court
and assembly for the better ordening [ordering] and
government of the said plantacion and such thinges as
shall concerne the same; and that anie five persons of the
said Counsell for the said First Collonie in Virginia, for
the time being, of which Companie the Treasurer or his
deputie allwaies to be one, and the nomber of fifteene
others at the least of the generality of the said Companie
assembled together in such court or assembly in such
manner as is and hath bin heretofore used and accus-
tomed, shalbe said, taken, held and reputed to be and
shalbe a full and sufficient court of the said Companie for
the handling, ordring and dispatching of all such casuall
and particuler occurrences and accidentall matters of
lesse consequence and waight, as shall from time to time
happen, touching and concerning the said plantacion.
And that, nevertheles, for the handling, ordring and
disposing of matters and affaires of great waight and
importance and such as shall or maie in anie sort concerne
the weale publike and generall good of the said Companie
and plantacion as namely, the manner of government
from time to time to be used, the ordring and disposing of
the said possessions and the setling and establishing of a
trade there, or such like, there shalbe held and kept everie
yeare uppon the last Wednesdaie save one of Hillary,
Easter, Trinity and Michaelmas termes, for ever, one
great, generall and solemne assembly, which fower
severall assemblies shalbe stiled and called The Fower
Great and Generall Courts of the Counsell and Companie
of Adventurers for Virginia; in all and every of which
said great and generall Courts soe assembled our will and
pleasure is and we doe, for us, our heires and successors
forever, give and grannt to the said Treasurer and
Companie and their successors for ever by theis presents,
that they, the said Treasurer and Companie or the greater
nomber of them soe assembled, shall and maie have full
power and authoritie from time to time and att all times
hereafter to ellect and choose discreet persons to be of our
[said] Counsell for the said First Colonie in Virginia and
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to nominate and appoint such officers as theie shall
thinke fitt and requisit for the government, managing,
ordring and dispatching of the affaires of the said
Companie; and shall likewise have full power and au-
thority to ordaine and make such lawes and ordinances
for the good and wellfare of the said plantacion as to them
from time to time shalbe thought requisite and meete: soe
allwaies as the same be not contrary to the lawes and
statutes of this our realme of England; and shall in like
manner have power and authority to expulse, disfran-
chise and putt out of and from their said Companie and
societie for ever all and everie such person and persons as
having either promised or subscribed their names to
become adventurers to the said plantacion of the said
First Colonie in Virginia, or having bin nominated for
adventurers in theis or anie our lettres patent or having
bin otherwise admitted and nominated to be of the said
Companie, have nevertheles either not putt in anie ad-
venture [at] all for and towards the said plantacion or els
have refused and neglected, or shall refuse and neglect, to
bringe in his or their adventure by word or writing
promised within sixe monthes after the same shalbe soe
payable and due.
And wheras the failing and nonpaiment of such
monies as have bin promised in adventure for the
advanncement of the said plantacion hath bin often by
experience found to be danngerous and prejudiciall to
the same and much to have hindred the progresse and
proceeding of the said plantacion; and for that itt seemeth
to us a thing reasonable that such persons as by their
handwriting have engaged themselves for the payment
of their adventures, and afterwards neglecting their faith
and promise, shold be compellable to make good and
kepe the same; therefore our will and pleasure is that in
anie suite or suites comenced or to be comenced in anie of
our courts att Westminster, or elswhere, by the said
Treasurer and Companie or otherwise against anie such
persons, that our judges for the time being both in our
Court of Channcerie and at the common lawe doe favour
and further the said suits soe farre forth as law and equitie
will in anie wise suffer and permitt.
And we doe, for us, our heires and successors, further
give and grannt to the said Tresorer and Companie, and
their successors for ever, that theie, the said Tresorer and
Companie or the greater part of them for the time being,
so in a full and generall court assembled as aforesaid shall
and maie, from time to time and att all times hereafter, for
ever, ellect, choose and permitt into their Company and
society anie person or persons, as well straungers and
aliens borne in anie part beyond the seas wheresoever,
being in amity with us, as our naturall liedge subjects
borne in anie our realmes and dominions; and that all
such persons soe elected, chosen and admitted to be of the
said Companie as aforesaid shall thereuppon be taken,
reputed and held and shalbe free members of the said
Companie and shall have, hold and enjoie all and singuler
freedoms, liberties, franchises, priviledges, immunities,
benefitts, profitts and commodities, whatsoever, to the
said Companie in anie sort belonging or apperteining as
fully, freely [and] amplie as anie other adventurer or
adventurers now being, or which hereafter att anie time
shalbe, of the said Companie, hath, have, shall, maie,
might or ought to have or enjoy the same to all intents and
purposes whatsoever.
And we doe further of our speciall grace, certaine
knowledge and mere mocion, for us, our heires and
successors, give and grantt to the said Tresorer and
Companie and their successors, for ever by theis present,
that itt shalbe lawfull and free for them and their assignes
att all and everie time and times hereafter, out of anie our
realmes and dominions whatsoever, to take, lead, carry
and transport in and into the said voyage and for and
towards the said plantacion of our said First Collonie in
Virginia, all such and soe manie of our loving subjects or
anie other straungers that will become our loving sub-
jects and live under our allegiance as shall willingly
accompanie them in the said voyage and plantacion; with
shipping, armour, weapons, ordinannce, munition, pow-
der, shott, victualls, and all manner of merchandizes and
wares, and all manner of clothing, implement, furniture,
beasts, cattell, horses, mares, and all other thinges
necessarie for the said plantacion and for their use and
defence, and for trade with the people there and in
passing and retourning to and froe, without paying or
yealding anie subsedie, custome or imposicion, either
inward or outward, or anie other dutie to us, our heires or
successors, for the same, for the space of seven yeares
from the date of theis present.
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And we doe further, for us, our heires and successors,
give and grannt to the said Treasurer and Companie and
their successors for ever, by theis present, that the said
Treasurer of the said Companie, or his deputie for the
time being or anie twoe others of our said Counsell for the
said First Colonie in Virginia for the time being, shall and
maie attall times hereafter and from time to time, have
full power and authoritie to minister and give the oath
and oathes of supremacie and allegiannce, or either of
them, to all and every person and persons which shall, at
anie time and times hereafter, goe or passe to the said
Colonie in Virginia:
And further, that itt shalbe likewise lawfull for the
said Tresorer, or his deputy for the time, or anie twoe
others of our said Counsell for the said First Colonie in
Virginia, for the time being, from time to time and att all
times hereafter, to minister such a formall oathe as by
their discrescion shalbe reasonably devised, aswell unto
anie person or persons imployed or to be imployed in, for,
or touching the said plantacion for their honest, faithfull
and just dischardge of their service in all such matters as
shalbe committed unto them for the good and benefitt of
the said Company, Colonie and plantacion; as alsoe unto
such other person or persons as the said Treasurer or his
deputie, with twoe others of the said Counsell, shall
thinke meete for the examinacion or clearing of the truith
in anie cause whatsoever concerninge the said plantacion
or anie business from thence proceeding or there unto
proceeding or thereunto belonging.
And, furthermore, whereas we have ben certefied
that diverse lewde and ill disposed persons, both sailors,
souldiers, artificers, husbandmen, laborers, and others,
having received wages, apparrell or other entertainment
from the said Company or having contracted and agreed
with the said Companie to goe, to serve, or to be imployed
in the said plantacion of the said First Colonie in Virginia,
have afterwards either withdrawen, hid or concealed
themselves, or have refused to goe thither after they have
bin soe entertained and agreed withall; and that divers
and sundry persons allso which have bin sent and
imployed in the said plantacion of the said First Colonie
in Virginia at and upon the chardge of the said Companie,
and having there misbehaved themselves by mutinies,
sedition, and other notorious misdemeanors, or having
bin employed or sent abroad by the governor of Virginia
or his deputie with some ship or pinnace for provisions
for the said Colonie, or for some discoverie or other
buisines and affaires concerning the same, have from
thence most trecherouslie either come back againe and
retorned into our realme of England by stelth or without
licence of our Governor of our said Colonie in Virginia for
the time being, or have bin sent hither as misdoers and
offenders; and that manie allsoe of those persons after
their retourne from thence, having bin questioned by our
said Counsell here for such their misbehaviors and of-
fences, by their insolent and contemptuous carriage in
the presence of our said Counsaile, have shewed little
respect and reverence, either to the place or authoritie in
which we have placed and appointed them; and others,
for the colouring of their lewdnes and misdemeanors
committed in Virginia, have endeavored them by most
vile and slanndrous reports made and divulged, aswell
of the cuntrie of Virginia as alsoe of the government and
estate of the said plantacion and Colonie, as much as in
them laie, to bring the said voyage and plantacion into
disgrace and contempt; by meanes where of not only the
adventures and planters alreadie ingaged in the said
plantacion have bin exceedingly abused and hindred,
and a greate nomber of other our loving and welldisposed
subjects otherwise well affected and inclyning to joine
and adventure insoe noble, Christian and worthie an
action have bin discouraged from the same, but allsoe the
utter overthrow and ruine of the said enterprise hath bin
greatlie indanngered which cannott miscarrie without
some dishonor to us and our kingdome;
Now, for asmuch as it appeareth unto us that theis
insolences, misdemeanors and abuses, not to be tollerated
in anie civill government, have for the most part growne
and proceeded inregard of our Counsaile have not anie
direct power and authoritie by anie expresse wordes in
our former lettres patent to correct and chastise such
offenders, we therefore, for the more speedy reformacion
of soe greate and enormous abuses and misdemeanors
heretofore practised and committed, and for the prevent-
ing of the like hereafter, doe by theis present for us, our
heires and successors, give and grannt to the said Trea-
surer and Companie, and their successors for ever, that itt
shall and maie be lawfull for our said Councell for the
said First Colonie in Virginia or anie twoe of them,
whereof the said Tresorer or his deputie for the time
being to be allwaies one by warrant under their handes to
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Documents of American History
send for, or cause to be apprehended, all and every such
person and persons who shalbe noted or accused or
found, att anie time or times here after, to offend or
misbehave themselves in anie the offences before
mencioned and expressed; and uppon the examinacion
of anie such offender or offendors and just proofe made
by oath taken before the Counsaile of anie such notorious
misdemeanors by them committed as aforesaid; and
allsoe uppon anie insolent, contemptuous or unreverent
carriage and misbehavior to or against our said Counsell
shewed or used by anie such person or persons soe called,
convented and apearing before them as aforesaid; that in
all such cases theie, our said Counsell or anie twoe of
them for the time being, shall and maie have full power
and authoritie either here tO binde them over with good
suerties for their good behaviour and further therein to
proceed to all intents and purposes, as itt is used in other
like cases within our realme of England; or ells att their
discrescion to remannd and send back the said offenders
or anie of them unto the said Colonie in Virginia, there to
be proceeded against and punished as the Governor,
deputie and Counsell there for the time being shall thinke
meete; or otherwise, according to such lawes and
ordinannces as are or shalbe in use there for the well
ordring and good governement of the said Colonie.
And, for the more effectuall advanncing of the said
plantacion, we doe further, for us, our heires and succes-
sors, of our especiall grace and favour, by vertue of our
prorogative royall and by the assent and consent of the
Lordes and others of our Privie Counsalle, give and
grannte unto the said Tresorer and Companie full power
and authoritie, free leave, libertie and licence to sett forth,
errect and publishe one or more lotterie or lotteries to
have continuance and to [endure] and be held for the
space of one whole yeare next after the opening of the
same, and after the end and expiracion of the said terme
the said lotterie or lotteries to continue and be further
kept, during our will and pleasure onely and not other-
wise. And yet, nevertheles, we are contented and pleased,
for the good and wellfare of the said plantacion, that the
said Tresorer and Companie shall, for the dispatch and
finishing of the said lotterie or lotteries, have six months
warninge after the said yeare ended before our will and
pleasure shall, for and on that behalfe, be construed,
deemed and adjudged to be in anie wise altered and
determined.
And our further will and pleasure is that the said
lottery or lottaries shall and maie be opened and held
within our cittie of London or in anie other cittie or citties,
or ellswheare within this our realme of England, with
such prises, articles, condicions and limitacions as to
them, the said Tresorer and Companie, in their
discreascions shall seeme convenient.
And that itt shall and may be lawfull to and for the
said Tresorer and Companie to ellect and choose receivors,
auditors, surveyors, comissioners, or anie other officers
whatsoever, att their will and pleasure for the better
marshalling and guiding and governing of the said lottarie
or lottaryes; and that itt shalbe likewise lawfull to and for
the said Tresorer and anie twoe of the said Counsell to
minister unto all and everie such persons soe ellected and
chosen for officers as aforesaid one or more oathes for
their good behaviour, just and true dealing in and about
the lottarie or lottaries to the intent and purpose that none
of our loving subjects, putting in their monies or other-
wise adventuring in the said generall lotterie or lottaries,
maie be in anie wise defrauded and deceived of their said
monies or evill and indirectlie dealt withall in their said
adventures.
And we further grannt in manner and forme afore-
said, that itt shall and maie be lawfull to and for the said
Treasurer and Companie, under the seale of our Counsell
for the plantacion, to publishe or to cause and procure to
be published by proclamacion or otherwise, the said
proclamacion to be made in their name by vertue of theise
present, the said lottarie or lotteries in all citties, townes,
boroughts, throughfaires and other places within our
said realme of England; and we will and commande all
mayors, justices of peace, sheriffs, bayliffs, constables
and other our officers and loving subjects whatsoever,
that in noe wise theie hinder or delaie the progresse and
proceeding of the said lottarie or lottaries but be therein
and, touching the premisses, aiding and assisting by all
honest, good and lawfull meanes and endevours.
And further our will and pleasure is that in all ques-
tions and dobts that shall arise uppon anie difficultie of
construccion or interpretacion of anie thing conteined in
theis or anie other our former lettres patent the same
shalbe taken and interpreted in most ample and beneficiall
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manner for the said Tresorer and Companie and their
successors and everie member there of.
And lastly we doe by theis present retifie and confirme
unto the said Treasorer and Companie, and their succes-
sors for ever, all and all manner of priviledges, franchises,
liberties, immunities, preheminences, profitts and com-
modities whatsoever grannted unto them in anie our
[former] lettres patent and not in theis present revoked,
altered, channged or abridged. Although expresse
mencion [of the true yearly value or certainty of the
premises, or any of them, or of any other gift or grant, by
us or any of our progenitors or predecessors, to the
aforesaid Tresurer and Company heretofore made, in
these Presents is not made; or any statute, act, ordinance,
provisions, proclamation, or restraint, to the contrary
thereof heretofore made, ordained, or provided, or any
other matter, cause, or thing, whatsoever, to the contrary,
in any wise, notwithstanding.]
In witnes whereof [we have caused these our letters
to be made patents.] Wittnes our selfe att Westminster,
the twelveth daie of March [1612] [in the ninth year of our
reign of England, France, and Ireland, and of Scotland the
five and fortieth.]
Per breve de privato sigillo, etc.
British Public Record Office, Chancery Patent Rolls
(c. 66), 1709; William Stith, The History of the First Discovery
and Settlement of Virginia (Williamsburg, Printed by Wil-
liam Parks, 1747; New York, 1865), Appendix, pp. 23-32
(1-32 in 1865 edition); William Waller Hening, comp., The
Statutes at Large; Being a Collection of All the Laws of
Virginia, From the First Session of the Legislature, in the Year
1619 (13 vols., Richmond, 1809-23), I, 98-110. Hening
obtained the full charter texts from Stith.
Scanned from The Three Charters of the Virginia Com-
pany of London, with Seven Related Documents: 1606-1621,
edited and with an introduction by Samuel M. Bemiss
(Williamsburg, Va., 350th Anniversary Celebration Cor-
poration, 1957). This small volume contains the most
complete and accurate texts of all the Virginia charters.
The text of the charters is in the public domain and not
protected by copyright. Included in this publication is
the text of the documents and none of Mr. Bemiss’s
editorial notes. (Mr. Bemiss did point out some personal
names that appear in Stith but not in the British Public
Record Office copy.) Be aware that the scanned text is
verbatim, with no correction of spelling errors or transla-
tion of archaic words into modern English.
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Documents of American History

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