Washington, DC, 1999.
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POGHKEEPSIE,
July 2d, 1788.
JUST ARRIVED
BY EXPRESS,
The Ratification of the New Constitution by the Convention of the State of Virginia, on Wednesday the 25th June, by a majority of 10; 88 agreeing, and 78 dissenting to its adoption.
“
WE
the Delegates of the People of Virginia, duly elected in Pursuance of a Recommendation of the General Assembly, and now met in Convention, having fully and fairly investigated and discussed the Proceedings of the Federal Convention, and being prepared as well as the most mature Deliberation will enable us to decide thereon, DO, in the Name and on Behalf of the People of Virginia, declare and make known, that the Powers granted under the Constitution being derived from the People of the United States, may be resumed by them whensoever the same shall be perverted to their Injury of Oppression, and that every Power not granted thereby remains with them and at their Will: That therefore no Right, of any Denomination, can be cancelled, abridged, restrained or modified by the Congress, by the Senate, or House of Representatives, acting in any Capacity, by the President, or any Department or Officer of the United States, except in those instances where Power is given by the Constitution for those Purposes: That among other essential Rights, the Liberty of Conscience, and of the Press, cannot be cancelled, abridged, restrained or modified by any Authority of the United States.
With these Impressions, with a solemn Appeal to the Searcher of Hearts for the Purity of our Intentions, and under the Conviction, that whatsoever Imperfections may exist in the Constitution, ought rather to be examined in the Mode prescribed therein, than to bring the
Union
into Danger by Delay, with a Hope of obtaining Amendments previous to the Ratification:
We the said Delegates, in the Name and in Behalf of the People of Virginia, do by these presents assent to and ratify the Constitution, recommended on the 17th day of September, 1787, by the Federal Convention for the Government of the United States; hereby announcing to all those whom it may concern, that the said Constitution is binding upon the said People, according to an authentic copy hereunto annexed, in the Words following:”—
[Here comes in the Constitution.]
A Letter from Richmond advises, that a Motion for previous Amendments was rejected by a Majority of Eight; but that some days would be passed in considering subsequent Amendments, and these, it appeared, from the temper of the Convention, would be recommended.