Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-09-08
TIE nARTF0RD CoNVENyJo ".

convention convened N The STATE house IN
Hartford, GA "Wednesday The Goth ultipo.
fiis exceliency governor Wolcoit was chO-
sen president, without opposition and
James lanman, esq. was elected clerk. BY
majority 0f %. Messrs. Terry, Piikin,
and Stevens. were appointed committee
10 prepare rules for the COVE snn,cnt oi the
convention. In the coIrsc o. the day, IA
resolution WAS offered, and after some
discussion adopted, "1ha: The convem-
ton proceed To form acOnstiiulion OF civil
government for The state"
On Thursday, Il resolution was a9opted.
without much debate, "That commit
tee be appointed by ballot 10 draft CON
st'uiion and report ii TO The COW, niiou,
10 consist of three mcE,hcrs from each
county," The remainder of the dav v;,s
occupied in balloling for The committee.
There is one trdera!isi frum each coun-
ty, eXcep, Fairfield democrats and. 2
iederalists.
Or Friday, q system Of rules was report
ed, and, with commandments, adopted.
A preamble and bill Of rights were also
/ reported, and GOO copies ordered To lie
printed. Ike following is a copy Of this
REPORT
= The committee TO whom was referred the
subject OF drafting a constitution TO he sub.
mitted to the consideration of the convention
beg leave to report in Part-,he following
preamble and hill of rights.
PlERpONT EDWARDS, Chairman
PREAMBLE.
The people Of Connecticut acknowledging
WITH gratitude, the good Providence Of Cad
I'm having permitted them 10 enjoy a free Co-
verpment, do, IN order more efeciuailyt TO de-
Hne, secure, and peipetitate the liberties
Iights ana privileges which they have Geri, ed
from their ancestors, hereby, after "A careful
consideration and revision, ordain aud esta-
la IL ha fol
vii government.
ARTICLE I.
DECLARATION OF RIGHTS.
ihat me general, great, and essential priv
cipleS OF liberty and free government NAV he
recognized and established
WE DECLARE
sec. j. That all men when thew form So
cial compact are equal in rights; and thai no
man, OF set OF men, are entitled To exclusive
separate pnbhc emoiumeiiIs or prjyiIepes from,
the community.
Sec.2. That all political power is inherent
IN the people, and all free governments are
founded on their authority and instituted for
Their benefit and that they have at all times
an nndcDable and ndcfeasible right 10 alter
lheir FORM OF government IN such inner as
they may think eXpedietlt.
Sec. 3. The exercise and erjovment of relj-
eions profession and worship without discvi-
mination. shall forever be irce TO all persons
IN ins state; provided that the rigb hereby
declared and established, shall not be so con-
sirued as TO excuse acts OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, or
tn justify practices Inconsistent with lie
peace and safety of the state.
Seed. No preference shall be given nv law
10 any religious sect or mode of VI orskip
Secs. No person shall oe moiested for hje
opinion ON amy subject whatever, nor suffer
any civil or political incapac,y, or acquire
any civil or political advantage in consequence
OF such opinions, except IN cases provided for
III this constitution
Sec. G. Every citizen may freely speak.
write, ind publish his sentiments on All sub'
JpctS. lIp fpr he A.
berry.
Sec. Z. No law shall ever he passed 10 cnr,ai,
or restrain the liberty of speech, or of the
press.
Sec. 8. In all prosecutions or indictments
tor libcis, the truth may he given III evidence
and the jury snail have right 10 deternine
the Jaw and the facts, under The direction or
the court.
Sec. @. The people shall be secure in ,!,eir
persons, honseS, papers and possessions from
unreasonable SEARCHES seizures and no
warrant TO search any place, on To seize any
person or thugs, shaiiissne without describing
them as nearly as may be. nor without proba-
bic cause, supported by oath or affirmation.
Sec. 10. In all criminal proseou tions tie ac.
cuSed hath right 10 be heard bv himSelfaud
by counsel; 10 demand the nature and cause
OF The accusation; TO be confronted by tl,e
witnesses against him TO have compulsory
process TO obtain witnesses ia his favor; and
III all prosecutions by indictment or iutt rtna-
tiCn, a speedy, public jriaI bv an itunertial IN,
ry. HE cannot be compelled to give evidence
against hi'nSelf nor be depnsedoflife, liberty,
or properly. but by dHe course ofiaw
Sec. IL. No person shall be accused. arrest
ed, or detained, except in cases asceriaiupd
by law, and according to forias which lie .ar,e
has prescribed and no person shall he pu-
nlshed bat in virtue Of "A law established End
promulgated prior to The offence ard LEGALLY
applied:
sec. IL. The property of no person shall be
taken Tor public use, without just cOmpeusa.
ton therefor.
Sec. Is. All courts shall be open, and every
person for an injury done him in his lands.
goods persons or reputation shall have RENE.
oy, by due course OF law. and right and Justice
be administered without sale denial or DELAY
Sec. Ii, Excessive bail shall not be ieo,,n.
ed, nor excessive fines imposed
SEC. Is. al prisoners shall before convie
iiop, be baiiablc by sufficient snretes eNcept
Tor capital Offences where tho proof is evident
or the presumption great aud The priyiIcce
o. the wrii OF hhbeas corpus shall no be sr,s.
pended, unless wEen in case OF ebelIlou OF in
vasIon the pnb'Ic safety may require it,
Sec. rs. NO person shall be attained of
treason. on feouy, by tbs legislature
Sec. ". 'fhe citizens have a right i'm "A
peacoable manner 10 assemble together for
their common good. and 10 apply to those in
vested with The powers Of government for re-
dress otgrievances, Or other proper purposes,
by petition, redress or remOrstfance
Bee. ~. Escry citizen has right 10 bear
arms ln defence OF himself and the state
SEC. ~. The military sliall in all cases. and
at all times &c III street subordi alton 20 The
civil power.
Sec 20. no soldier shall in time of peace be
qndItered ~ any house, without the consent of
the owner nor ~ time of war, hut in man.
ber 10 be prescribed by law
see y. no hereditary einolumenis pTivilc.
geS, o. honOrs shall ever lie granted, or con-
tctred, ia this state
Sec. y. NO citizen of this state shall he cxil.
Cd, or prevented from emigfaUug VD any pfe.
renee whatever.
sec. -. The light Of tfial by jur! shall re-
main ,nvioaie.