Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1830-02-06
BILL OF RIGHTS.

BILL OF RIGHTS.
A Declaration Of Rghs made by tic Representatives
Qfhs good People NJ Tirgifria, assembled IN fai!
Gli2 free Conrcniioo: tohich rights do pertain 10
Gtein, and their pos.ery Gs &c basis ard f6uad9-
ton IF Government
UNANIMOUSLY adopted, juno I2,h, ITT61
I. That all men are by nature equally free and
Independent, and have certain inherent rights, OF
which, when tn enter into state Of society, they
by any compact, deprive d.rGst their pos
tcrity; namely, the enjoyment of lie and liberty,
with the means OF acquiring and possessing property
and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety.
=. That all power is vested in, and conseQue nty
derived from, the people, that Magistrates their
trustees and servants, and at all times amcnlable TO
item.
3. That government is, or ong.,t to &C. instituted
Tor the common benefit, protection and security Of
the people, nation community: of al he various
modes and forms OF government that Is best, which
- capable OF producing the greatest degree Of hap
pnCss and safety, and is effectuallY secured
against the danger of mal-adnnistration; and that,
when any government shall be found Inadequate or
contrary TO these purposes minority of the
niy hath ndubitablc, unalicnabs and indeeasib'e
right, to REFORM alter, abolish il, in snch
siIal BE- judged most conducive TO the public veal
q. That no man, Sc, Of men. entitled 10 OK
elusive or separate emoluments or privileges from
thu community, but in consideration Of public sDlvi-
cCs which not being descendahic, neither oun3it tho
Offices of Icg~tratc l.cya!-to., CT JctgeA 10 be
hereditary.
8. Fiat the Legislative and Executive povc5 OF
the StIte should he separate and distinct from the
Judiciary; and thai the incmbers of the fst may
be restrained from oppression, by feeling and pnrtic
pltng the burthcrs III the p2cp,c they should, at
fixed periods. be reduced 20 private station return
into that hodt from which they 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 eligible. ineligible,
the laws shall direct
g. Tint elections Ot numbers eUrrC As rr7rCsnn-
tiIves of The people, in Assembly, oCgh to be free
and that all mcn, having sufficient evidence of per-
Inancrt common interest With and attachment TO,
ule community, have the right of suffrage, aud cIn-
not be faxed deprived OF their property for public
uscs, without their consent, that of their re.
representatives. SO elected, nor boGnd by any law to
Which they have not, IN Tie msIrnEr asyrr1tG fur
the pnte.c gnod
T. That ali power Of scnspaIiIiITu laws, or tho CO
ecri'on o. laws, oy any authority without consent Of
Lle representatives Of the people IL irro0s % Gacr
r!rhts, and ought not 10 be exercised.
.. That. IN all capital criminal prosecutions
L1an hath righ, to demand The CAUSE Gnd nature OF
his accusation, TO be confronted with the accusers
and Witnesses to call for evidence in his favor and
10 specify trial by Impartial Jury Of his vicnage
without 'FGose unanimous cDnseHt, be cannot be
found guilty; be be compelled 20 gjce evil
dance against himself that 10 man be deprived of
LIS liberty except by the la OF the lad, the iadT
Jnont OF his pears.
o. That excessive hail ought not to he required
nor excessive fines Imposed, nor crrG and unusual
punishment inflicted
10. ghat general warrants, Whereby Oh other OF
IQUssenger may be commnn dcd TO search snsncctcd
phces without evidence of n fact cnunmttel, or to
seizn any pcrEan persons not nTed or whose Of
1Gnce not particularly described ard supported BY
erdGnGe, grievous and oppressive, and ought not
&c be granted.
II. That, II controversies rCEueaing property y,
and il suits between man and man the aDCGnt trial
VI jury is preferable to aug oQ1cr, ind ocght 10 De
Ltld sacEeI
II. That the frcgziom Of the press is one Of TIE
great bniwaTks ofhbGrty, and never DC reiiraln-
e. but By dcspotic governments.
10. That vel! regulated rOilitia, QuposrL of
the body of tho people trained to orns is the pro-
pGr, M ural and safe defence of fee Stue; That
Standing armies, in time of peace shonid be avoided
rs dangerous 10 liberty; and that III all cases, the
military should DC under strct suboEGnetion to- and
governed 5y, tic civil power.
= il That the people have right to Cuilarm COY
eTnnen; and therefore That government separate
from or Independent oi, tho goy6Tument OF TiygLn
H. ought to % erected established within the i'm
is thereof
-. That no free gogcpmcnt, or tho b'cxsir1r Of
I,aerty. can be preserved to ony pGOp.c hat by
ism adherence TO Justice, TnodcratUn, tempernnce
icgaty, aHd virtue and by frequent rccnJfcLce u
fundamental principles
10 That religion, or the duty which sc Owe 70
rnr Creator. 0nd the manner Of dischGTCjng H. c1u
~ directed only by reason and conviction, not hs
force or g!cucs; uad therefore al mon are equally
lutied to the free exercise Of religion aceordiny 10
ne dclates Of conscience; and that it The mutual
CITY OF all 10 practice Christian fJfbcarancc lore g.
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