Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-01-16
BILL OF RIGHTS.

BILL Of RIGHTS.
A Declaration Of Rights made 6y the Representa-
fipes IF the good People Of VIRGINIA, assembled
in fall and free Convention; tchich rights do per-
tam to them, and their Posterity, as the basis ana
foundation Of Government.
Unanimously adopted, June i9sh, l7s6
I. That all men by nature equally free and indie
pendent, and have certain inherent rights OF which
when they enter into state OF society, they cannot
y any compact. deprive or dvest their po.crity;
~, the enjoyment OF lie and liberty with the mems
oil acquiring and possessing property and pursuing and
obtaining happiness and safrty.
That all power IL vested in and consequently de
rived lron the people; that Magistrates their
tees and servants, and at all times 'nabie to thes.
That government il, ought TO be, Instituted Tor
the common benefit, protection and security OF the peo-
pie, nation, community: of all the various mode
and forms Of government that il hest, which is cap
bic oil producing the greatest degree Of happiness an
safety and Is most eectusliy ed INST the dan.
ger Of ma-admnisr alton; and that, when any govern
ment shalt be found inadequate contrary 10 these
purpose, majority OF the community hath an indu
hi'able, unaenabe, and indefea right to reform
alter, abolish it, in such manner as shall be Judged
most conducive TO the pablo veal
That no man. act of men, ATE entitled to exclu.
svc or separate eneuments privileges from the COM
muny but I'm consideration Of public services which
not being de'cendibl" neither ought the offices Of Ma
E'srate, Legislator or Judge, TO be hereditary.
o. That the Legislative and Executive powers of the
state should be separate and distinct from the Judicial
ry and that the members OF the TWO first may be re.
strained from oppression by feeling and parcipatny
the burihens Of the people, they should al fixed ne
RODS, be reduced to private station. return into that
body from which they were originally taken, and the
vacancies be supplied 10y frequent. certain. and regular
elections In which ALL any part of the 70 mer mem.
cer' to be again eligible, ineligible the law. shall
direct.
g. That elections Of members to serve as represen.
tauve- OF the people, in Assembly, ought TO be free;
sad that all men, having sufficient evidence of perma.
hen'. com'non interest wi h, aud attachment TO- the
community. have the right Of suffrage. and cannot be
taxed or deprived Of their property tor public mes
hal of heir
uves 30 elected, nor bound by any law which the
nave not, In like manner, assened Tor the public GOOD
Z. That all power OF snspt nling laws. the execu-
ZION OF laws, by any authority, without of the
representatives Of the people, il injurious TO liz IL
rights, and ought not to be exercised.
.. That, in all capital or criminal prosecutions man
ha'h right TO demand the AMI nature of his ar
cusaon to be confronted with the accu--rs aud wit.
hesses. TO call Tor evdenc- in h favor, and TO .peev
Wis'' ny an impartial juryof his vicinage, withou,
~ho'e unanimous consent, he cannot be found guilty;
nor can ne he compelled to give evidence against him.
se that no man he deprived of his liberty except nv
the law OF the land, or the judgment of hi; peers
y. That excessive bail ought not TO be required nor
excessive bnes imposed, cruel and unusual punish
ment inflicted.
10. That general warrants, whereby an officer o.
messenger, may be commanded arch suspe cted
ces, without evidence OF fact committed or 10 8. ize
any person or per.ons not named, or whose offence /.
not particularly described and supported by evidence
are g.vous ami oppressive and he granted
IL. ihat IN controversies .peciiug property and in
preferable 10 any other and to he held .acrej
H. That the freedom OF the press ia one of the grea,
bulwarks OF liberty, aud never be restrained bu,
by de.poc governments.
ID. That well-reeula'ed militia, composed OF the
oody OF the people, trained arms the proper
RAJ and SAFE defence OF free States that standing ar
mites. IN time OF peace, should be avoided dangerou.
,o"oer'y; and that in all cases, the military should
ne under strict subcrdinaon to- aud governed BY the
civil power ~ Wv
H. That the people have right TO uniform govern.
men and, therefore, that no separate FROM
orindepetdent OF, the government OF Vrginia Ought
10 he erected or established within The limit. thereof
To- That no fee government, or the blessing OF lib.
sry ran be preserved to any pro lie, but by firm adj
herence to Justice, moderation, temperance, fugalty
ana virtue and by frequent recurrence TO Fundamental
principles.
ID. That religion. or the duty which owe to our
creator and I've manner OF dischargng be dir ct
ed only by reason and conviction not by lore. or yo
lenrc and therefore all men equally entitled 10 the
Tree exercise II religion, according to the dictates
con'cenc' and that il is the mutual duty of all tc
practise Christian iorbesrsnce, love, and charity TO
wards each other.