Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1830-01-27
BILL. OF RIGHTS.


BILL OF RIGHTS.
4 Declaration Of Rights made by The Representatives
Of the good People Of pirginia assembled in FIJI
aad free Contention; Which rights do pertain "a
them, and their Eosierity, as he basis and founda
ton Of Government.
Unanimously adopted, june 9Th, I77sl
I. That all men arc by nature equally free ant
independent, and have certain inherent rights, o
Which, when they enter into state of society. they
cannot, by any compact deprive divcst their pos
tcrty; namely, the enjoyment of life and liberty
with the of acquiring and possessing property
and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety
2. That all power is vested in. and conseQne ntly
derived from, the people; that Magistrates 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
tire people, nation or community Of all lie various
modes and forms of government, that is best, which
is capable OF producing the greatest degree of hap
pincss and safety, and is cffcctuallY secured
against the danger of administration; and that
when any government shall be found inadequate or
contrary to these purposes, majority of the commu
nifty hath ndubitublc unaenable, and intefeasibc
right to reform, alter, abolish it, in such manner
as shall be judged most conducive TO the public veal
q. That no man, or set of IRcn, entitled TO
clnsive or separate cmoluments OF privileges from
the community, but in consideration OF public servi-
Chs; which not being dcsccndabe, neither ough, the
Offices of Magistrate, Legislator, Judge, to be
hereditary.
u. powers
the State should be separate and distinct from the
Judciary and that the members of the two first may
be restrained from oppression, by feeling and parci-
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, to be again eligible. or ineligible
as the laws shall direct.
6. That elections of members to serve rs reD-csen-
tatfves of the people, in Assembly, ought to be free;
and that all men, having sufficient evidence OF per-
manent common interest with, and attachment to,
the community, have the right OF suffrage, and can
not be taxed deprived of their property for public
discs, without their consent, that of their re-
representatives. elected, nor bound By any law TO
which they have not, III like manner, assentcl for
the public good.
2. That all power Of spending laws, or the OK
eeuton of laws by any authority, without consent OF
tho representatives of the people, ID injurious to their
rnbts, and ought not to be exercised.
8. That, in all capital or criminal prosecutions, q
man hath q right to demand the 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 vicnage
without whose unanimous consent, he cannot be
found guilty; can he be compelled TO give evil
dence against hmselE that no man be deprived of
his liberty except by the law of the land, the udg
ment of his peers.
o. That excessive bail ought not to be required,
nor excessive fines imposed, cruel and unusual
punishment inflicted.
10. That general warrants, whereby officer or
messenger may be commanded TO search suspect ed
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, grcvous and oppressive, and ought not
10 be granted.
II. That, in controversies respecting property,
and in suits between and man, the ancient trial
by jury is preferable to any other and ought TO be
lucid sacred.
IL. That the freedom Of tic press is one Of the
great buwarks ofliberty, and 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
as dangerous to liberty; and that III all cases, the
military should be under strict subordmaLion TO- and
governed by, the civil power.
Ia. That the people have right to uniform gov
crnmeD; and therefore, that no government separate
from, or independent Of The government of Hirgin
a. ought to be erected established within the lin
its thereof.
10. That 10 free government, or the blessing OF
liberty, can be preserved 90 any people, bat BY n
firm adherence TO Justice, moderation, temperance
ftugaty, and virtue, und by frequent recurrence tc
fundamental principles
10. That religion, the duty which wc owe Ia
Our Creator and the manner OF dlschargiDg it, can
be directed only by reason and conviction, not b.
force or violence; and therefore all men are equally
entitled to the free Of religion according "a
the dictates Of conscience; aud tliat il is tho mutual
DUTY OF all 10 practice Christian forbeardnce love 81
Charity towards each other.