Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1830-01-20

BILL OF RIGHTS

BILL OF RIGHTS.
a Declaration If Rhts made By the Representatives.
oShe good People Of J'rgi,ia, assembled IN fit!
and free Contention; which rights do pertain %
them, and their posterity, as he basis and founda-
lion Of Government.
IUnan,nncusly adopted, Junc 18th, 1916
!. That all men, by nature equally free and
independent, and have certain Inherent rights, ut
which, when they enter into state Of society they
cannot by any compact, deprive or dvcst their pos
tcrity; namely, the enjoyment of life and liberty,
with the means of acquiring ,nd possessing property
and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety.
=. That all power IL vested IN, and couseque nty
derived from, the peoples that Magistrates their
trustees and servants, and at all times amenablc to
them.
). That government Is, or ought to be, instituted
for the common benefit protection and security OF
the people, nation or community: of all he various
modes and forms OF government, that is best, which
IS capable ct producing the greatest degree of hap
pincss and safety, and is most cfectuallS secured
against the danger of administrations and that,
when any government shall be found Inadequate or
Contrary to these purposes, majority of the comruu
nifty hath ndubtabe, unalienablc, and indefeasbe
right, to reform, alter, abolish it, in such manner
as shall be judged most conducive to the public veal
4. That no man, or set of ncn, entitled TO eX-
elusive or separate emoluments privileges from
the community but in consideration of public servi-
cess which not being desccndabe, neither ough, the
offices of Magistrate, Legislator or Judge, to be
hereditary.
5. That the Legislative and Executive powers OF
the State SHOULD be separate and distinct from the
Judiciary; and that the members of the two first may
be restrained from OPPRESSION by feeling and partici
pating the burthens of the people, they should, at
fixed periods. be reduced TO private staten, return
into that bod, from which they originally taken,
and the vacancies he supplied by frequent, certain,
and regular elections in which all, any part of the
former members, to be again eligible. or Ineligible,
as the laws shall direct
G. That elections of members to serve as represen-
ta1es of the people, in Assembly ough, to be free:
tL.., h,.y
manent common interest with and attachment to,
the community, have the right of suffrage, and cam
not be taxed deprived of their property for pubic
uses, without their own consent that Of their re-
representatives. so elected, bound by any law 10
which they have not, in like manner, assentel for
the public good.
2. That all power of suspendng laws. or the cx-
ecution OF laws by any authority without OF
the representatives of the people, is injurious to then
rights, and ought not to be exercised.
g. That, IN all capital or criminal prosecutions
man hath right to demand the and nature o.
Inns accusation, be confronted with the accusers
aud witnesses, to call for evidence in his favor and
TO speedy trial by an impartial Jury of his vcnage
without whose unanimous consent, he cannot be
found guilty; nor can he be compelled to give evil
dence against himself; that man be deprived of
his liberty except by the law of the and or the udg-
m mt of his peers.
9. That excessive bail ought not TO be required
nor 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 or persons not named whose Of
tence is not particularly described ard supported bv
evidence are grevous and oppressive and ought not
TO be granted.
II. That, in controversies resnectng property.
and in suits between man and man. the ancient trial
by jury is preferable to any other and ought TO be
held sacred.
ID. That the freedom of the press is one of the
great bulwarks ofberty, and never be restrain
ed but by deSpotic governments.
10. That well regulated militia, composed OF
the body of the people, trained arms is the pro-
per, ma ural and safe defence of free State; that
standing armies, in time of peace should be avoided
as dangerous to liberty; and that il all cases the
military should be under strict subordnation to- and
governed by, the civil power.
Ia. That the people have right to uniform gov
eminent; and therefore, that no government
from, or independent of, the government of Ttrgin
az ought TO be erected established within the lin.
its thereof
10. That no free government, the blessing OF
4ioerty, can be preserved to any people, but by a
firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance
ifugalty, and virtue, and by frequent recurrence 70
fundamental principles
l6 That religion, or the duty which we owe 10
onr Creator. and the manner of discharginp it. can
be directed only by reason and conviction, not by
force or violence; and therefore all men are equally
entitled to the free exercise of religion according to
lie dictates of conscience; and that il is the mutual
duty all TO practice Christian forbearapce love q,
CIlnrity towards each other.