Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1830-02-18

Given under my hand us Go9yEIvenhb n, p p' ~,
rSrA1..l the seal of the Gay of January. ira
mond, this WIN. d. GILES
III OF RIGHTS.
,h9f Rights made by the REPRESENTATIVES
apcs.0al People Of pirgi"ia, assembled IL, luii
"A Jree Correato7; ,chich rights do pc,to;i 10
tss1' and their poStey'ity, as he basis anil G,,r.
lion Of Government. """ J""'aa-
Unanimously adopted, June 18th. 177G1
j. 1hat all men are by nature equally freq AVID
independent, and have certain Inherent -, "rS f
WHICH, whcn they enter into n state of seost, fbo,,
cannot, by any compact, depri'e .,ost their Do;
tcrty; namely. the enjoyment of life and liberty,
with the means OF acquiring and possessing property,
and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety.
.. That all power is vested in, and conscque ntly
derived from, the people; that Magistrates their
trustees and servants and ut all times amenab!c TO
them.
3. That government is, or ought to he, instituted
for the common benefit, protection and security of
the people, nation or community: OF oil The various
modes and forms of government that is best, which
is capable of producing the greatest degree of hap
pncSS and safety, and is most eflectually secured
against the danger Of mal-admnisraton; and that,
when any government shall be found inadequate or
contrary to these purposes majority of the commu
nifty hath an nduhablo unalcnabe, and lndeicasiblc
right, to reform, alter, or abolish it, in such
Us shall be Judged most conducive TO the public veal
d. Tina no man, or set of men, entitled to en-
elusive or separate emoluments or privileges from
the community, but Ill consideration OF public servi
ces; which not being descendable neither ought the
offices of Magistrate, Legislator, Judge, to be
hereditary.
5. That The Legislative and Executive powers OF
the State should be separate and distinct from the
Judiciary; and ;nat the m2mbers of the two first may
be restrained from oppression; by feeling and partic
patng the bmthens of the people, they should, at
fixed periods be reduced TO private station,
into that body from which they originally taken
and the vacancies be supplied by frequent, certain
and regular elections in which ALL or any part of the
former members, to be again eligible. ineligible,
as the laws shall direct.
c. That elections of members To serve as represcn-
thives of the people, IN Assembly, ought to he irec
and that al men, having sufficient evidence Of per-
manert common interest with, apd attachment to,
the community, have the right of suffrage, and can
not be taxed deprived of their property for public
uses, without their consent, that of their re-
representatives. so elected, nor bound by any law to
which they have not, in like manner asxented for
The public good.
Z. That all power Of suspending laws or the OK
ccution of laws, by any authority without consent of
The representatives, of the people, is injurious 20 their
rights, and ought not to be exercised.
g. That. IN oil capital or criminal Prosecutions Il
man hath right TO demand the cause and nature of
his accusation, be confronted with the accusers
and witnesses to call for evidence in his favor, and
to n speedy trial by impartial jury of his vicinage,
without whose unanimous consent, lie cannot be
found guilty. nor can he be compelled 10 give evil
dence against himself; that no man be deprived Of
his liberty except BY the law Of the land, the udg
ncnt of his peers.
9. That excessive bail ought not to b. required
nor excessive fines imposed, 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
icnce is not particularly described ard supported by
Evidence, grcvous and oppressive, and ought not
10 be granted.
II. That, IN controversies respecting property,
and in suits between man and man, the ancient trial
by jury is preferable to any other and ought be
held sacred.
10. That the freedom Of the press is one of the
great bulwarks oflberty, and be restrain
cd but by despotic governments.
10. That well regulated militia, composed of
the body of the people, trained to arms is the pro-
per, ma ura end safe defence of free State; That
standing armies in time of peace, shou be avoided,
rs dangerous to- liberty and that IL: all cases, the
military should be under strict subordlnaon to, and
governed by, the civil power
ii. That the people have right to uniform gov
crnment; aud therefore, that government separate
from, or independent of, The government of Pir9in-
~, ought to be erected established within the lin
its thereof.
10. That no free government, or the blessing Of
liberty, can be preserved to any people, but by
firm adherence TO Justice, moderation, temperance,
fundamental principles
1G. That religion, or the duty which We owe to
our Creator. and the Of discharging il, can
be dine ted only by reason and conviction, not by
force OF violence; aud therefore all men equally
entitled to the Tree exercise of religion according TO
the dictates Of conscience; and that il is the mutual
duty of all 10 practice Christian forboarance, love g.
charity towards each other.
AN AMENDED CONSTITUTION