HISTORY OF VERMONT. 397 



governments in the United States. By their 

 constitution, formed in 1778, and revised in 

 1786, and 1792, the supreme legislative power 

 is vested in a house of representatives of the 

 freemen. Every town has a right to choose a 

 representative, on the first Tuesday of Septem- 

 ber annually. The representatives so chosen, 

 are to meet on the second Thursday of the suc- 

 ceeding October, and are styled The General 

 Assembly of the State of Vermont. They have 

 power to choose their own officers ; to sit on 

 their own adjournments ; prepare bills, and en- 

 act them into laws ; they may expel members, 

 but not for causes known to their constituents 

 antecedent to their election ; impeach state 

 criminals ; grant charters of incorporation, con- 

 stitute towns, boroughs, cities, and counties ; 

 in conjunction with the council they are annual- 

 ly to elect judges of the supreme, county, and 

 probate courts, sheriffs and justices of the peace ; 

 and also with the council, may elect major gen- 

 erals, and brigadier generals, as often as there 

 shall be occasion : They have all other powers 

 necessary for the legislature of a free and sover- 

 eign state : But have no power to add to, alter, 

 abolish, or infringe any part of the constitution. 

 The supreme executive power is vested in a 

 governor, or lieutenant governor, and a council 

 of twelve persons, chosen by the freemen, at the 

 same time they choose their representative. 

 The governor, or the lieut. governor and coun- 

 cil, are to commission all officers ; prepare such 

 business as may appear to them necessary to lay 

 before the general assembly : They are to sit as 

 iudges to hear and determine on impeachments. 



