Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-02-16
BIZ the Governor Of the Commonwealth IF Vrgiaia.
A PROCLAMATION
the Convention which assemb

agreed upon an amended Constitution or form of Go
yernment, to be submitted to the people, and to be by
them ratified or rejected, William d. Giles, Co
vernon, have thought proper by and with the advice
OF the Council OF State, make proclamation, and
do now hereby proclaim, that the said Convention
DID, on the 5h day of january in this present year.
$780,, adjourn sine die-and do direct that the said
amended Constitution form of Government for this
Commonwealth, shall be published once week for
three successive months, together with this proca-
paton, IN such newspapers as by advice of Council
we're directed to publish the Act of the General
assembly OF Virginia, to organize Convention.
Given under my hand Governor. and under
sSf.AL.] the seal of the Commonwealth at Rich
mond, this 18th day of January, $50.
VIM. B. GILES.
BILL OF RIGHTS.
q declarations of Rights made By the Representatives.
yef The good People Of Virginia, assembled in full
apd free Conuentioa; Which rights do pertain TO
flsu, and their posterify The basis and fo1nda-
Unanimously adopted, June I2lh, l776]
7. Chat all men are by nature equally free and
Independent, and have certain inherent rights, of
which, when they enter into state of society, they
capnot by any compact, deprive divest their pos
tfrity; namely, the enjoyment of life and liberty,
With the mehns of acquiring and possessing property,
and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety.
Q. That all power is vested in, and conseque ntly
derived from, the people; that Magistrates their
trustees ind servants, and at all times amenable to
them.
3. That government is, or ought to be, instituted
the people, nation or community: of all The various
modes and forms of government that is best, which
d capable of producing the greatest degree of hap
piress and safety, and is most efectuallY secured
sgainst the danger of mul-admnistration; and that
when any government shall be found Inadequate or
contrary to these purposes majority of the commu
MY hath indubitabe, unalennbe, and indefeasibe
right, to reform, alter abolish it, in such manner
as shall be Judged most conducive to the public veal.
a. That no man, set of men, are entitled TO e5.
elusive separate emoluments privileges from
the community, but IN consideration of public servi
ces; which not being descendabe, neither ought the
Offices of Magistrate, Legislator, or Judge, to be
hereditary.
S. That the Legislative and Executive powers of
the State should be separate and distinct from the
Judiciary; and that the members of the first may
me restrained from oppression, by feeling and partci-
pating the burthens of the people, they should, at
liked periods be reduced to private station return
into that body from which they originally takeD
and the vacancies be supplied by frequent, certain
anu regular elections, which all, any part of the
former members, to be again eligible, ineligible,
as the laws shall direct.
6. That elections Of members to serve represent
fatves Of the people, in Assembly, ought to be free
and that all men, having sufficient evidence of per-
Manept common interest with, and attachment to-,
the community, have the right of suffrage, and can
not be taxed deprived of their property for public
discs, without their consent, that of their
representatives. SO elected, bound by any law to
Which they have not, in like manner, assented, for
the public good.
gcItion of laws by any authority, without consent Of
the representatives of the people, is injurious to their
rights, and ought not to be exercised.
g. That, in all capital criminal prosecutions, a
man hath right to demand the cause and nature of
his accusation to be confronted with the accusers
and witnesses, to call for evidence in his favor, and
Co speedy trial by impartial jury of his vicnage,
without whose unanimous consent, he cannot be
found guilty; nor can he be compelled to give evil
dence against himself that no man be deprived of
ills liberty except by the law of the land, the judg
plent of his peers.
g. That excessive bail ought not to be required,
excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual
punishment inflicted.
10. That general warrants whereby an officer or
messenger may be commanded to search suspected
places without evidence of fact committed, or to
seize any person persons not named or whose Of
fence is not particularly described ard supported by
evidence, grevous and oppressive, and ought not
10 be granted.
IL. That in controversies respecting property,
and in suits between ard man, the ancient trial
by jury is preferable to any other, AID ought to be
held sacred,
great bulwars of liberty and never be restrain
ed but by despotc governments.
10. That a, well regulated militia, composed OF
the body OF the people, trained to arms is the pro-
Ier natural and safe defence of free State; that
standiug armies, in time of peace, shou be avoided
as dangerous to liberty; and that IT all cases, the
military should be under strict subordlnation to- and
governed by, the civil power.
Ia. That the people have right to uniform gov
crnmenI; and therefore, that government separate
from, independent of .he government of pirgln-
III, ought to De erected established within the linn
IFS thereof.
Is. That free government, or the blessing OF
liberty, can be preserved to any people, but by a
firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance
ffugality and virtue, and by frequent recurrence to
fundamental principles.
16. That religion, or the duty which we owe to
our Creator, and the manner of discharging it, car
be dlc-ted only by reason and conviction, not by
force OF violence; and therefore all men are equally
entitled TO the free exercise of religion according tc
the dictates of conscience and that it is tho mutua
duty of all to practice Christian forbearance, love &
charity towards each other.
AN AMENDED CONSTITUTION
Form of Government for Virginie.
lAdopted January 14lh 1890
Whereas the Delegates and Representatives Of th'
good people of Virginia in Convention assembled,