and representatives, and have a right, in a legal way, to exact a due and constant regard to them, from their legislators and magistrates, in making and executing such laws as are necessary for the good government of the State.

ARTICLE XIX.

That all people have a natural and inherent right to emigrate from one State to another that will receive them.

ARTICLE XX.

That the people have a right to assemble together to consult for their common good-to instruct their representatives — and to apply to the Legislature for redress of grievances, by address, petition or remonstrance.

ARTICLE XXI.

That no person shall be liable to be transported out of this State for trial for any offense committed within the same.

Chapter II.

Plan or Frame of Government.

Section 1. The Commonwealth or State of Vermont shall be governed hereafter by a Governor (or Lieutenant-Governor), Council, and an Assembly of the Representatives of the freemen of the same, in manner and form following:

Sec. 2. The supreme legislative power shall be vested in a House of Representatives of the freemen of the Commonwealth or State of Vermont.

Sec. 3. The supreme executive power shall be vested in a Governor, or, in his absence, a Lieutenant-Governor, and Council. Sec. 4. Courts of justice shall be maintained in every county in this State, and also in new counties when formed; which courts shall be open for the trial of all causes proper for their cognizance; and justice shall be therein impartially administered without corruption or unnecessary delay. The judges of the Supreme Court shall be justices of the peace throughout the State; and the several judges of the County Courts, in their respective counties, by virtue of their office, except in the trial of such causes as may be appealed to the County Court.

Sec. 5. A future Legislature may, when they shall conceive the same to be expedient and necessary, erect a Court of Chan

cery, with such powers as are usually exercised by that court, or as shall appear for the interest of the Commonwealth: Provided, they do not constitute themselves the judges of the said court.

Sec. 6. The legislative, executive and judiciary departments shall be separate and distinct, so that neither exercise the powers properly belonging to the other.

Sec. 7. In order that the freemen of this State might enjoy the benefit of election as equally as may be, each town within this State that consists or may consist of eighty taxable inhabitants within one septenary or seven years next after the establishing this Constitution, may hold elections therein, and choose each two Representatives; and each other inhabited town in this State may, in like manner, choose each one Representative to represent them in General Assembly during the said septenary or seven years, and after that, each inhabited town may, in like manner, hold such elections and choose each one Representative forever thereafter.

Sec. 8. The House of Representatives of the freemen of this State shall consist of persons most noted for wisdom and virtue, to be chosen by ballot by the freemen of every town in this State, respectively, on the first Tuesday of September annually, forever.

Sec. 9. The Representatives so chosen (a majority of whom shall constitute a quorum for transacting any other business than raising a State tax, for which two-thirds of the members elected shall be present) shall meet on the second Thursday of the succeeding October, and shall be styled the General Assembly of the State of Vermont; that shall have power to choose their Speaker, Secretary of State, their clerk, and other necessary officers of the House sit on their own adjournments-prepare bills and enact them into laws-judge of the elections and qualifications of their own members; they may expel members, but not for causes known to their constituents antecedent to their election; they may administer oaths and affirmations in matters depending before them redress grievances- impeach State criminals grant charters of incorporation-constitute towns, boroughs, cities and counties; they may annually, on their first session after their election, in conjunction with the Council (or oftener if need be), elect judges of the Supreme and several County and Probate Courts, sheriffs and justices of the peace; and also, with the Council, may elect major-generals and brigadier-generals,

from time to time, as often as there shall be occasion; and they shall have all other powers necessary for the Legislature of a free and sovereign State; but they shall have no power to add to, alter, abolish or infringe any part of this Constitution.

Sec. 10. The Supreme Executive Council of this State shall consist of a Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, and twelve persons chosen in the following manner, viz.: The freemen of each town shall, on the day of election for choosing Representatives to attend the General Assembly, bring in their votes for Governor, with his name fairly written, to the constable, who shall seal them up, and write on them, "Votes for the Governor," and deliver them to the Representative chosen to attend the General Assembly; and at the opening of the General Assembly, there shall be a committee appointed out of the Council and Assembly, who, after being duly sworn to the faithful discharge of their trust, shall proceed to receive, sort and count the votes for the Governor, and declare the person who has the major part of the votes, to be Governor for the year ensuing. And if there be no choice made, then the Council and General Assembly, by their joint ballot, shall make choice of a Governor. The LieutenantGovernor and Treasurer shall be chosen in the manner above directed. And each freeman shall give in twelve votes for twelve Counsellors, in the same manner, and the twelve highest in nomination shall serve for the ensuing year as Counsellors.

Sec. 11. The Governor, and in his absence, the LieutenantGovernor, with the Council (a major part of whom, including the Governor, or Lieutenant-Governor, shall be a quorum to transact business), shall have power to commission all officers and also to appoint officers, except where provision is, or shall be otherwise made, by law or this frame of government—and shall supply every vacancy in any office, occasioned by death or other wise, until the office can be filled in the manner directed by law or this Constitution. They are to correspond with other States transact business with officers of government civil and military and to prepare such business as may appear to them necessary, to lay before the General Assembly. They shall sit as judges to hear and determine on impeachments, taking to their assistance, for advice only, the judges of the Supreme Court. And shall have power to grant pardons and remit fines, in all cases whatsoever except in treason and murder; in which they shall have power

to grant reprieves, but not to pardon, until after the end of the next session of Assembly; and except in cases of impeachment, in which there shall be no remission, or mitigation of punishment, but by act of legislation. They are also to take care that the laws be faithfully executed. They are to expedite the execu tion of such measures as may be resolved upon by the General Assembly. And they may draw upon the treasury for such sums as may be appropriated by the House of Representatives. They may also lay embargoes, or prohibit the exportation of any commodity, for any time not exceeding thirty days, in the recess of the House only. They may grant such licenses as shall be directed by law; and shall have power to call together the General Assembly, when necessary, before the day to which they shall stand adjourned. The Governor shall be captain-general and commander-in-chief of the forces of the State, but shall not command in person, except advised thereto by the Council, and then only so long as they shall approve thereof. And the LieutenantGovernor shall, by virtue of his office, be lieutenant-general of all the forces of the State. The Governor, or Lieutenant-Governor, and the Council, shall meet at the time and place with the General Assembly; the Lieutenant-Governor shall, during the presence of the commander-in-chief, vote and act as one of the Council; and the Governor, and, in his absence, the LieutenantGovernor, shall, by virtue of their offices, preside in Council, and have a casting but no other vote. Every member of the Council shall be a justice of the peace for the whole State, by virtue of his office. The Governor and Council shall have a secretary, and keep fair books of their proceedings, wherein any Counsellor may enter his dissent, with his reasons to support it; and the Governor may appoint a secretary for himself and his Council.

Sec. 12. The Representatives having met, and chosen their Speaker and clerk, shall each of them, before they proceed to business, take and subscribe, as well the oath or affirmation of allegiance hereinafter directed (except where they shall produce certificates of their having heretofore taken and subscribed the same) as the following oath or affirmation, viz.:

"You, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that as a member of this Assembly, you will not propose or assent to any bill, vote or resolution, which shall appear to you injurious to the people, nor do or consent to any act or thing whatever, that shall have a tendency to lessen or abridge their rights and privileges, as

declared by the Constitution of this State; but will, in all things, conduct yourself as a faithful, honest Representative and guardian of the people, according to the best of your judgment and abili ties. (In case of an oath) so help you God. (And in case of an affirmation) under the pains and penalties of perjury."

Sec. 13. The doors of the house in which the General Assembly of this Commonwealth shall sit, shall be open for the admission of all persons who behave decently, except only when the welfare of the State may require them to be shut.

Sec. 14. The votes and proceedings of the General Assembly shall be printed (when one-third of the members think it necessary) as soon as convenient after the end of each session, with the yeas and nays on any question, when required by any member (except where the votes shall be taken by ballot), in which case every member shall have a right to insert the reasons of his vote upon the minutes.

Sec. 15. The style of the laws of this State in future to be passed, shall be, "It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont."

Sec. 16. To the end that the laws, before they are enacted, may be more maturely considered, and the inconvenience of hasty determinations as much as possible prevented, all bills which originate in the Assembly shall be laid before the Governor and Council for their revision and concurrence or proposals of amendment, who shall return the same to the Assembly, with their proposals of amendment, if any, in writing; and if the same are not agreed to by the Assembly, it shall be in the power of the Governor and Council to suspend the passing of such bills until the next session of the Legislature: Provided, that if the Governor and Council shall neglect or refuse to return any such bill to the Assembly, with written proposals of amendment, within five days, or before the rising of the Legislature, the same shall become a law.

Sec. 17. No money shall be drawn out of the treasury, unless first appropriated by the act of legislation.

Sec. 18. No person shall be elected a Representative until he has resided two years in this State; the last of which shall be in the town for which he is elected.

Sec. 19. No member of the Council, or House of Representatives, shall, directly or indirectly, receive any fee or reward, to