Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1830-01-29
BILL OF RIGHTS.

BILL OF RIGHTS.
a Declaration Of Rights made by the Representatives.
Of he good People of Virginia, assembled in full
and free Convention; tctich rights do pertain 10
them, and their poste,ity, as me basis and fb,mda-
lion Of Government
60 Unanimously adopted, June 18th, 1776
l. That all men are by nature equally free and
independent, and have certain Inherent rights, of
which, when they enter into state of society, they
cannot. by any compact, deprive or dvest their pos
terty, namely, the enjoyment of life and liberty,
with the means of acquiring and possessing property
and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety.
g. That all power is vested in. and conseque nty
derived from, the people; that Magistrates their
trustees and servants, and at all times amenabe to
them.
3. 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
capable OF producing the greatest degree of hap
pincss and safety, and is most efectualy secured
against the danger of NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. and that,
when any government shall be found inadequate or
contrary to these purposes, majority of the commu
nifty hath indubtablc unalienable and ndefeasble
right to reform, alter, abolish it in such manner
shall be Judged most conducive to the public veal
4. That no man, or set of men, entitled 10 en-
elusive or separate emouments privileges from
the community, but in consideration of public servi-
ces which not being descendable, neither ought the
offices of Magistrate, Legislator, or Judge, to be
hereditary.
s. 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 partic
pating the burthens of the people, they should, at
fixed periods be reduced private station return
into that body 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. or ineligible,
the laws shall direct.
g. That elections of members to serve as represent
tatves of the people, in Assembly, ought be free;
md nj har cttffr
mauert common interest with, and attachment to-
the community have the right of suffrage. and can
not be taxed or deprived of their property for public
uses without their consent or that of their re-
representatives. so elected, nor bound by any law to
which they have not, IN IKE manner assented for
the public good
Z. That all power of suspending laws, or the OK
ecuon Of laws by any authority without consent of
the representatives of the people, injurious to their
lights, and ought not to be exercised.
g. That, IN all capital criminal prosecutions a
man hath right to demand the cause and nature of
his accusation, be confronted with the uccusers
and witnesses, to call for evidence in 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 evi-
dence against himself; that no man be deprived of
his liberty except by the law of the land or the udg-
ment 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 persons not named, whose of
fence IS not particularly described ard supported by
evidence are grevous and oppressive, and ought not
TO be granted
II. That, n controversies respecting property,
and IN suits between and man. the ancient trial
By jury s preferable to any other, and ought be
held sacred.
~. That the freedom of the press is one Of the
great buwarks ofliberty, and can be restrain
ed but by despotic 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 free State; that
standing armies, in time Of peace, should be avoided
as dangerous TO liberty; and that III all cases the
military should be under strict subordinaton to- and
governed by, the civil power.
Ia. That the people have right TO uniform GOV
ernmen and therefore, that no government separate
from, or independent of, The government of Virgin
ia, ought to be erected established within the lin
its thereof
Is. That no free government, or the blessing of
liberty can be preserved to any people, but by
firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance
tfugay, and virtue, and by frequent recurrence to
fundamental principles.
16. That religion, or the duty which we owe 10
our Creator, and the manner Of dlschargng it. can
be directed only by and conviction, not bv
force or violence; and therefore all men are equally
entitled to the free exercise Of religion according to
the dictates Of conscience; and that it is the mutual
duty OF all TO practice Christian forbearancc love g.
Charity towards each other.