Omar Bennett
Georgia has had ten constitutions, three of which were directly associated with peaceful periods, and seven of which were associated with war-related periods. The first constitution was drafted in 1777, and was completed in February of that year. This constitution was executed without being submitted to voters for ratification and remained in effect for twelve years. It vested most governmental authority in a state legislative body, incorporated the separation of powers doctrine, and included basic rights such as freedom of religion, freedom of the press, and trial by jury.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Constitutions | 1 |
| Date | February 5, 1777 |
| Location | Georgia |
| Signatories | 82 delegates |
| Features | Established an independent Georgia republic; guaranteed religious freedom, trial by jury, and other individual rights |
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What You'll Learn
The first constitution of Georgia
Georgia has had ten constitutions, seven of which—those of 1777, 1789, 1861, 1865, 1868, 1877, and 1945—were directly associated with war-related periods. The first constitution of Georgia was completed in February 1777, without being submitted to voters for ratification, and remained in effect for twelve years.
The 1777 Constitution provided a framework for the transition from colony to state. It vested most governmental authority in a state legislative body, incorporated the separation of powers doctrine, and included a number of basic rights, such as the free exercise of religion, freedom of the press, and trial by jury.
The document also included provisions for the state seal of Georgia, which would be engraved with "The Constitution of the State of Georgia" and the motto "Pro bono publico" on one side, and an elegant house, buildings, fields of corn, meadows covered with sheep and cattle, a river, and a ship under full sail, with the motto "Deus nobis haec otia fecit" on the other.
The Constitution of 1777 also outlined the process for selecting representatives, stipulating that representatives must have resided in the state for at least twelve months and in the county where they were elected for three months. It also addressed the issue of excessive fines and bail, stating that "excessive fines shall not be levied, nor excessive bail demanded."
Furthermore, the 1777 Constitution included provisions for administering oaths to elected representatives and the governor. The oath for representatives stated:
> "I, A B. do solemnly swear that I will bear true allegiance to the State of Georgia, and will truly perform the trusts reposed in me; and that I will execute the same to the best of my knowledge, for the benefit of this State, and the support of the constitution thereof, and that I have obtained my election without fraud or bribe whatever; so help me God."
The oath for the governor, on the other hand, emphasised the importance of executing the office "faithfully and conscientiously" and defending the state and its constitution:
> "I, A B, elected governor of the State of Georgia, by the representatives thereof, do solemnly promise and swear that I will, during the term of my appointment, to the best of my skill and judgment, execute the said office faithfully and conscientiously' according to law, without favor, affection, or partiality; that I will, to the utmost of my power, support, maintain, and defend the State of Georgia, and the constitution of the same; and use my utmost endeavors to protect the people thereof in the secure enjoyment of all their rights, franchises and privileges; and that the laws and ordinances of the State be duly observed, and that law and justice in mercy be executed in all judgments. And I do further solemnly promise and swear that I will peaceably and quietly resign the government to which I have been elected at the period to which my continuance in the said office is limited by the constitution."
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The framework for transition from colony to state
Georgia, the last of the 13 colonies to be founded, was established in 1732 and settled in 1733. It was ruled by a Board of Trustees, based in London, which made all the laws for the colony. In the early 1740s, the trustees began to relax some of the rules they had imposed, such as the prohibition of slavery, marking the weakening of Trustee rule.
In April 1776, Georgia's first attempt at constitutional government was initiated by the Provincial Congress, in response to a series of mass meetings held throughout the colony. On February 5, 1777, Georgia's first state constitutional convention was completed, providing a framework for the transition from colony to state. This constitution vested most governmental authority in a state legislative body, incorporated the separation of powers doctrine, and included basic rights such as freedom of religion, freedom of the press, and trial by jury.
In 1782, the British were driven out of Georgia, and the state elected its first post-colonial government. On January 2, 1788, Georgia became the fourth state to ratify the U.S. Constitution, and revised its own constitution to assure conformity with the federal document. The Georgia Constitution of 1789 provided for a bicameral legislature, an executive branch, and a judicial branch.
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The role of the governor
Georgia's 1777 Constitution, its first, was completed in February of that year and remained in effect for twelve years. It was drafted by a constitutional convention and executed without ratification by voters. The 1777 Constitution established the role of the governor, who was to be elected by the representatives of the state of Georgia. The governor was to "execute the said office faithfully and conscientiously, according to law, without favour, affection, or partiality". They were also to "support, maintain, and defend the State of Georgia, and the constitution of the same".
The governor's role in Georgia, as in other states, is to head the government's executive branch. They are responsible for implementing state laws and overseeing the operation of the state executive branch. They also advance and pursue new and revised policies and programs using tools such as executive orders, executive budgets, and legislative proposals and vetoes.
In Georgia, the governor was allowed to serve a two-year term, a change from the one-year term in the 1777 Constitution. The governor may also have additional roles, such as commander-in-chief of the state's National Guard and of that state's respective defence force. They may also have the power to commute or pardon a criminal sentence.
The governor may also have ceremonial roles, such as greeting dignitaries, conferring state decorations, issuing symbolic proclamations, or attending the state fair. They may also be required to give an annual State of the State address to report on the condition of the state.
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The rights and privileges of the people
Georgia's first attempt at constitutional government was initiated in April 1776, and its constitution was completed in February 1777. This was the first of ten constitutions that the state would go on to have. The 1777 Constitution was drafted by a convention that assembled in Savannah on October 1, 1776, and was never submitted to the people for ratification. It remained in effect for twelve years.
The 1777 Constitution included a number of basic rights and privileges for the people. It incorporated the separation of powers doctrine and vested most governmental authority in a state legislative body. It also included the right to the free exercise of religion, freedom of the press, and trial by jury.
The 1777 Constitution also contained provisions to protect the rights, franchises, and privileges of the people. It stated that the governor of Georgia would:
> "use [their] utmost endeavors to protect the people thereof in the secure enjoyment of all their rights, franchises and privileges; and that the laws and ordinances of the State be duly observed, and that law and justice in mercy be executed in all judgments."
The 1777 Constitution also included protections for individuals who wished to plead their own case in court:
> "This is not intended to exclude any person from that inherent privilege of every freeman, the liberty to plead his own cause."
Furthermore, the 1777 Constitution stated that excessive fines shall not be levied, nor excessive bail demanded.
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The great seal of the state
Georgia has had ten constitutions, seven of which—those of 1777, 1789, 1861, 1865, 1868, 1877, and 1945—were directly associated with war-related periods. The first constitution of Georgia was completed in February 1777 and was executed without being submitted for voters' ratification. This constitution remained in effect for twelve years.
> On one side a scroll, whereon shall be engraved, "The Constitution of the State of Georgia;" and the motto, "Pro bono publico." On the other side, an elegant house, and other buildings, fields of corn, and meadows covered with sheep and cattle; a river running through the same, with a ship under full sail, and the motto, "Deus nobis haec otia fecit."
The seal symbolises the prosperity and success of the state, with the motto translating to "God, who made us these blessings".
The current use of the state seal is restricted. According to O.C.G.A. §§ 50-3-8 and 50-3-9, institutions and persons should not use the state seal for any purposes, including but not limited to, marketing, advertising, and student degrees unless explicit written permission is received from the Office of the Governor.
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Frequently asked questions
One. Georgia's first constitution was completed in February 1777.
The Constitution of 1777 was a document that provided a framework for the transition from colony to state. It vested most governmental authority in a state legislative body, incorporated the separation of powers doctrine, and included basic rights such as freedom of religion, freedom of the press, and trial by jury.
No, the 1777 Constitution was executed without being submitted to voters for ratification.
The Constitution of 1777 remained in effect for 12 years. In November 1788, it was revised to assure conformity with the U.S. Constitution.
The Georgia Constitution of 1777 was replaced with a new constitution in 1789. This new constitution was modelled after the U.S. Constitution and aimed to address weaknesses in the 1777 document.
