Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1830-02-19
BY le Gorsrnor q tAs Commonwealth y y,rginia.
APPROXIMATIONS.

agreed upon amended Constitution or form OF Co
vernmeHt to be submitted the people, and to DO by
them ratified or rejected, William b. Giles, Co.
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, adiourn sine die-and do direct that the said
amended Constitution form of Government for this
commonwealth, shall be published once week for
three successive months, together with this procla-
nation in such newspapers by advice OF Council
were directed to publish the Act of the General
Assembly OF Virginia, to organize Convention.
Given under my hand as Governor. and under
ISEAL.l the seal of the Commonwealth at Rich
WM. b. GILES.
BILL OF RIGHTS.
a Declaration Of Rights made by the Representatives.
orMe good People Of Virginia, assembled IN JuH
and free Convention; which rights do pertain to
them, and their Tosterity, me basis and founda-
Unanimously adopted, June I2,h I776l
1. That all men 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 dvest their pos
terity; namely, the enjoyment of life and liberty,
with the of acquiring and possessing property,
and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety.
?. That all power is vested in, and conseque ntly
derived FROM the people; that Magistrates are their
trustees and servants and at all times amenable 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 The various
modes and forms of government, that Is best which
is capable of producing the greatest degree of hap
pncss and safety, and is most effectuallf secured
against the danger of NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. and that,
when any government shall be found inadequate or
contrary to these purposes majority OF the comrnu-
nifty hath ndubtable, unahenable, and ndefeasible
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 men, entitled to en-
elusive or separate emolunlents privileges from
the community, but in consideration of public sevi
crs which not being descendable, neither ought 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 partic
pating the burthens of the people, they should, at
fixed periods be reduced to private station, return
into that body from which they were originally taken,
and the vacancies be supplied by frequent, certain,
aud regular elections, In which ALL any part OF the
former members, be again eligible, ineligible,
as the laws shall direct.
6. That elections of members to represen-
tatives of the people, in Assembly, ought to be free;
and that all men, having sufficient evidence OF per-
aianeni common interest with, and attachment TO,
the community, have the right of suffrage, and can
not be taxed deprived of their property for public
Uses without their consent or that of their
personalities SO elected, nor bound by any law to
which they have not, in Ike manner, assented, tcr
the public good.
T. That all power of suspcnding laws, or the ex-
tue representatives of the people, furious to their
rights, and ought not to be exercised.
g. That, in all capital or criminal prosecutions, 0
man hath o right to demand the cause and nature Of
his accusation, to be confronted with the accusers
and Witnesses to call for evidence in his favor and
to speedy trial by impartial jury of his yicnage
without whose unanimous consent, he cannot be
found guilty; nor he be compelled to give evil
dencc against himself; that man be deprived of
his liberty except by the law of the land or the judg
ment of his peers
-
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, or whose Of
fence is not particularly described ard supported by
evidence, grevous and oppressive, and ought not
to be granted
II. That, in controversies respecting property
and in suits between and man, the ancient trial
by jury preferable to any other, and ought to be
held sacred.
IL. That the freedom of the press is of the
great bulwarks oflberty and never be restrain
ed but by despotc governments.
Is. 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, shou Gbe avoided
as dangerous TO liberty; and that If 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
ernmen; aud therefore, that government separate
from, independent of, The government Of Virgia-
ia ought to be erected established within the lin
its thereof.
Is. That no free government, the blessing Of
liberty, can be preserved to any people, but by q
firm adherence TO justice, moderation, temperance,
ftugaity, and virtue, and by frequent recurrence TO
fundamental principles.
16 That religion, or the duty which we owe to
our Creator, and the manner Of discharging it, can
be dnoted only by reason and conviction, not by
force violence; and therefore all equally
entitled to the free exercise Of religion, according TO
the dictates Of conscience and that it the mutual
duty of all 10 practice Christian forbearance, love g.
charity towards each other
AN AMENDED CONSTITUTION
Form Of Government for Virginia.
adopted January l4ih 1880
Whereas the Delegates and Representatives Of the
good people of Virginia in Convention assembled, OH
the twenty day of June in the year Of Lord