Georgia | A revised constitution, offering a better balance of power

Georgia

The Constitution of the State of Georgia. As Revised, Amended and Compiled, by the Convention of the State, at Louisville, on the Thirtieth Day of May, MDCCXCVIII. Augusta: Printed by John Erdman Smith, 1799

8vo (203 x 121 mm). Browned throughout. Half calf over marbled boards.

First printed in Louisville, Georgia, in 1798 (Evans 33790), the present Augusta 1799 edition followed. This copy is signed on the title-page by George R. Clayton, who served as Georgia's state treasurer from 1806 to 1825.

Georgia adopted its first constitution in 1777; its second constitution was passed in 1789 to allow conformity with the U. S. Constitution. After the Yazoo Land Fraud, revisions to the document were deemed necessary. The revised constitution provided a better balance of power. Provisions of the previous constitution were clarified, the legislative power better defined, the governor would be popularly elected, and a state supreme court was authorized. Although slavery was permitted under the 1789 constitution, the importation of slaves was prohibited after 1798.

REFERENCES

ESTC W36205; Evans 35541

PROVENANCE

George R. Clayton (signature on title-page)