Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1830-02-22
by the Governor Of ths CsasoavealtA y YSvginia.
A PROCLAMATION.

monwealtl" have adjourned sine die, after having
vernmcnt TO be submitted to the people, and be by
them ratified or rejected, William d. Giles, Go
vernon, have thought proper, by and with the advice
OF the Council, OF State, to make proclamation and
do now hereby proclaim, that the said Convention
did the 18th day Of January, in this present year.
1880, adjourn sine dieand do direct that the said
amended Constitution form of Government for this
Commonwealth. shall be published once week for
nation in such newspapers a. by advice Of Council
were directed to publish the Act of the General
Assembly OF Virginia, to organize Convention.
CSsAL.J the seal Of the Commonwealth at Rich
n'0n'' thus 18TH 'a W. y i B. GiEE !ss0'
BILL OF RIGHTS.
a Declaration Of Rgis made Jy The Representatives.
efthe good People Of PTygi,td, assembled in fuli
ard free Contention; sOhich rights do pertain to
item, and their posesiiy, Tie basis and J6snda-
UNANIMOUSLY adopted, June l2,h, 17.5.l
!. That all men are by nature equally FREQ and
Independent, and have certain inherent rights, of
which, when they enter into state of society, they
cupnot, by any compact, deprive divest their pos
tcrty; namely, the enjoyment Of life and liberty,
with the means Of acquiring and possessing property,
and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety.
2. That all power is vested in, and consequently
derived from, the people; that Magistrates their
trustees and servants, and at all times amcnabic to
them.
5. That government is, or ought to be, Instituted
for the common benefit, protection and security of
the people, nation or community: of oil the various
mndes and forms Of government, that is best, which
Is capable of producing the greatest degree of hap
piness and safety, and is most eectuallY secured
against the danger of NAL administration; aAd that,
when any government shall DO found inadequate or
contrary to these purposes, majority of the commu
utv hath inubitabe, unalienable and indefeasble
right, to reform, alter abolish it. in such
as shall be judged most conducive to the public veal
a. That no man, or set of men, are entitled to ex-
elusive or separate euouments or privileges from
the community, but in consideration Of public scrv-
ces; which not being dcscendable, neither ought the
offices of Magistrate, Legislator, or Jadge, to be
hereditary.
s. That the Legislative and Executive powers of
the State should be separate and distinct from the
Judicinry; and that the members Of the two first may
be restrained from oppression, by feeling and particle
Ppting the burthers of the people, they should, at
fixed periods. be reduced to private station, return
into that hody from which they were originally taken
and the vacancies be supplied by frequent certain,
and regular elections, in which a any part of the
former members, to be again eligible, ineligible,
as the laws shall direct.
s. That elections of members to serve asrepresen-
tntves of the people, in Assembly, ought to be free;
and that all men, having sufficient evidence Of per-
Tauert common interest with, and attachment to,
the community, have the right Of suffrage, and can
not be taxed or deprived of their propertyor public
uses, without their own consent, that of their
representatives. elected, bound by any law to
which thcylIayc not, in Ike manner, assented, for
tho public good
2. Thut all power Of sHspending laws, or the ex.
ecution Of laws, by any authority, without
the representatives, the people, is injurious to their
rights, and ought not to be exercised.
g. That, in all capital criminal prosecutions, O
hath right to demand the cause aud nature oil
his accusation, to be confronted with the accusers
and Witnesses to call for evidence his favor, and
to speedy trial by an impartial jury Of his vicnage,
without whose unanimous consent, he cannot be
found guilty; nor can he be compelled to give EVIL
drnce against himself that man be deprived of
his liberty except by the law of the land, the udg
mcnt of his PEERS
o. That excessive bail ought not to be required,
excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual
punishment inflicted.
10. That general warrants, whereby on 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, are grcvous and oppressive, and ought not
to be granted.
II. That, il controversies respecting property,
and in suits between and man, the ancient trial
BY jury is preferable to any other, and ought TO be
held eacrcd.
10. That the freedom of tic press is one of the
great bulwarks ofbesty, and can never be restrain
ed but by dcspotic governments
10. That well regulated militia, composed Of
the body Of the people, trained to arms, is the pro-
per, natural and safe defence Of FREQ Statc that
standing armies, in tmo of peace, sllou be avoided,
as dangerous to liberty and that ir all cases. the
military should be under strict subordnation 10, and
governed py, the civil power.
Id. That the people have right to uniform gov
eminent; and therefore, that government separate
from, or independent Of The government of Yfrgh,-
in ought 20 DO erected established within the lin
its thereof
IS. That no free government, or tho blessing of
liberty can be preserved to any people, but by
firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance,
frugaty, and virtue and by frequent recurrence to
fundamental principles
IS. That religion, or the duty which we owe to
our Creator, and the manner Of dischnrgng il, can
be dne:tcd only by reason and conviction, not by
force oA violence; and therefore all men are equally
entitled to the free exercise of religion according
the dictates of conscience; and that it is the mutual
duty OF all TO practice Christian forbeaancc, love g.
charity towards each other.
AN AMENDED CONSTITUTION
Form Of Government for Vire;niu.
thdop,ed January 1i,h 1901
Whereas ;he Delegates and Representatives Of tho
good DcoplO of VIrpjnia in vention =