Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1830-02-05
ELL OF RIGHTS.

BILL OF RIGHTS.
a Declaration Of Rights made by the Representatives.
ofhe good People Of Puginia, assembled an fisii
sad free Convention; uchich rights do pertain "a
fnn, and their posie'ity, as nc basis and fouhdc
I'm, If Government
Unanimously adopted, June 18th, I77gl
l. That all men arc by nature equally free and
independent, and have certain inherent rights OF
Which, when they enter INTO state of society, they
chnno, by any compact, deprive dvest their pos
tcrity; 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 s vested in, and conseque ntly
derived from, the peoples thnt Magistrates their
Gustces and servants, and at all times amenabic to
them.
3. That government is, or ouuht to be, instituted
for the common benefit protection and security of
tho people, nation community: OF all he various
modes and forms of government that is best, which
is capable OF producing the greatest degree of hap
TDness and safety, and is most eectuaily secured
against the danger of NAL administration; and that,
when any government shall be found inadequate or
contrary to these purposes, majority of the cppl,u-
nifty hath an indubitabe unalicnable and ndefeasbIe
eight, to reform, alter abolish it, such manner
as cuil be Judged most conducive the public veal
q. Vat no man, or set of men, entitled to OK
elusive or separate emolumcnts or privileges from
the community, but - consideration Of public srsyi-
CTS; which nov bCtng descendahle. neither ourht the
Offices of Magistrate, Legislator, Jndgc, to be
HEREDITARY.
q. That the Legislative and Executive ppweers Of
the Stute should be separate and distinct from the
Judiciary and that the members of the two first may
be restrained from oppression, by feeling and partio
Iating the burhens 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 ALL any part of the
former members, to be again ehuible or iGeiiuab,e
us the laws shall direct.
6. That elections of members to serve as rerresen
Ctives of the people, in Assembly ought to be free
uud that Oil uen, having sufficient evidence OF per
Iuanert common interest WITH and attachment to-
the community, have the mint of suffrage and eau
not be taxed deprived of their property for public
uses, without their consent, that Of their re-
prerentatives elected, nor bound by any law to
winch they have not, in like manner assCntel for
the pabfc good.
2. That all power Of snspendiuE laws, or the OK
erntion of laws, by any authority, without of
The representatives ofthe people, is Injurious to their
rights and ought not to be exercised.
9. Phat, IN all capital criminal prosecutions n
man hath right TO demand the cause and nature of
His accusation, TO be confronted with the aorusers
and witnesses, to call for evidence In his favor and
To speedy trial by impartial Jury of his vcina ge
without whose unanimous consent, he caHnot be
found guilty; can he be compelled TO give evil
dsDce against himself that man be deprived of
his liberty except By the law of the had or the iud-
nIent of his peers
8. That excessive bail ought not to be required
nor excessive fines imposed crnei md unusual
punishment inflicted
10. phat genera warrants, whereby IN officer or
messenger may be commanded to search suspected
pmces without evidence Of a fact committed or TO
seize any person persons not Named or whose Of
fence IS not particularly described ard supported by
evdence, are grevous and oppressive, and ought moi
10 be granted.
II. Tint, d controversies respcciina property
and In sufs between man and man, the ancGnt trial
W jury is preferable to any other, and ought 70 be
held sacrcd.
l2. T'hut the freedom Of the press is une Of the
great buwarks of liberty and Gun never be restrap-
ed but By despotic governments.
Is. That well regulated militia, composed Of
the body OF the people, trained to arms is the pro-
per, ma ura and safe defence of free State that
standing armies, IN time of peace, should be avoided
as dangerous to liberty and that III all casey the
military should be under strict subordnation to- and
governed by, the civil power.
Id. That the people have right to uniform pcy-
ernmen and therefore, that government separate
from, or independent Of, The government of Tiygia
~, ought TO be erected or established within the Inn
lis thereof
- 10 That no free government, or the BLESSING of
liherty can be preserved to any people, but by q
hfm adherence to justice, moderation, tepperance
nngahty, and virtue, on1 by frequent recnrfcnce IN
fundamental principles.
TO- That religion or the duty which wo owe 10
our Creator, and the manner of discharpmp IT, c1n
6e directed only by reason and conviction. NOT nv
InIce or volence and therefore oil Uusn are cquaIy
cntled to the free exercise of religion according to
Tue dictates Of conscience and that it is the mutual
dnty OF all TO practice Christian forbcurance love 20
cnaIItY towards each other.