Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1830-02-08
BILL OF RIGHTS.

BILL OF RIGHTS.
a Declaration IF Rights made by the Representative
efhe good People Of Trgtnid, asseubjed d sft
aila free Contention; schich rights @pe3sdm TO
tlsl, and their poserily, Gs BE basis and JoUa2d-
don Of Government
Unanimously adopted, Jmc I2,h, IT75
/. q'hot all men are by nature equally free and
Independent, and have certain inherent rights, OF
which, when they enter into u state of society, they
cunnot, by any compact, deprive or dircst their pos
tCrlty; namely, the enjoyment of life and liberty.
with the means of acquiring and possessing property,
and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety
2. That ali power is vested in. and consequently
derived from, The people; that Magistrates their
Trustees and servants, and u, all tines amcnablc 10
them.
3. That government is, or ought to be, instituted
for the common benefit, protection and security of
the people, nation community: Of all lhc various
modes and forms of government that is best. which
Is capable of producing the greatest degree Of hap
pinoss and safety, and cfiectuallY secured
against the danger Of administration; and that,
when any government shall be found inadequate or
contrary to these purposes, majority of the connu
Ity hath indubitabe, unalienabe, and indefeasible
right, REFORM alter, abolish it, in such manner
as shall be Judged most conducive 10 the public veal
8. That no man, or set of men, entitled TO OK
Gusive or sepuratc emoiuments or privileges from
tlIn community, but in constellation of public scrvi
ces which being deScendable, neither ought the
dffcGs of Magistrate IMSfslaior, or Jndgc, TO be
HEREDITARY.
g. Thai the Legislative and Executive povcrs Of
Che SHtc should 20 Separate and distinct from the
Judiciary and tat The members Of the two first may
be restrained om OPPRESSION, by feeling and partci
pat ing the rhtns IF the people, they should,
fixed periods. be- reduced private station return
into that body from which they originally taken,
and the vacancies be supplied by frequent, ccrlain,
and regular elections, in which ALL any part Of the
former members, 10 be again eligible ineligible,
as the laws shall direct.
9. That elections of members TO serve as rcnruseu-
Gfivcs of The people, IN Assembly ought to be frec
t1d that all uun, having sufficient evidence Of peg
Jrlrnert common interest 9th, md attachment to,
OR community, have the rinht of suf3are and cTn-
urs, without their ogn consent that of their re-
representatives. elected, nor bound BIZ any Law To
Which they have not, in ne nIaH1rr assrntCl ftrT
On public good.
z. That all power Of suspelfiuy laTs or tue c..-
cIntion Of laws by any authority without consent of
TIE representatives of the people, iHariocs I'd Ger
lights, and ought not to be exercised.
g. TiTat, in all capital criminal prosecutions.
hath q right to demand the Cause and nature of
bIs accusation to be confronted with the accusers
dna witnesses, to call for evidence In his favor and
70 speedy trial by an impartial Jury OF his vcfnage.
Without CHOSE unanimous consent, lie cannot be
fomd guilty; can he be compelled 10 give evil
d6nce against himself tflt no man be deprived of
lis Liberty ecceptty the lag Of the EclE, the jndg
rTrnt Of lis PEERS.
o. That excessive bail ought not TO he required,
IIDr excessive fines imposed, nor crnn and unusual
Hnnshment inflicted.
10. That genera warrants, whereby an officer or
p1accs without evidence Of fact committed or to
sdZn any person persons not uaupa, or whose Of
snce is not particularly described and supported by
ccreeuce, are gycvous aud oppressive, Guf ought mt
% be granted.
IL. Tint, 10 controversies rCgpB1inG property
Gnh III suits between man md man, the ancicnt trial
~ jury is preferable to any Other, Cnd ought 10 be
E21d sactcd.
10. Trat thu frGrdom Of the press Is one df Che
geat bulwarks ofTiberty, and can rpvcr be rez1raa
Cd but by despotic governments.
l3. Tint a well regulated E1ilitG, composed Of
1D body Of the people, trained to arus, is tho pro-
H1 M ural and safe defence Of free Staie that
standing arml6s, in time Of peace, should be avoided
6s dangerous to liberty and that in al cuxtr the
military should be under strict subordinotion TO- aud
governed by, the civil power
Id. That the people have right TO unilnrm rov-
crnmenl; and therefore, that government separate
fioIn, or Independent Of, he government of Ttrcn
ia, ought to be erected established Wthiu the lin
It's thereof.
10. Tint no free government, OF the blessing of
liberty, can be preserved to any people, bat by
firm adherence to JUSTICE moderation, temperance
ifugahty, and virtue, aud by frequent rccnrrcme to
fundamental principles.
16. That religion, uIc dnty Which &c owe 10
onr Creator, and the manner Of discharglng IT, CHI
be directed only by reason and conviction, not by
force or violence aud therefore all rrEn ore equally
Gpk1tled to the free eEeTce Of religion according to
tue dictates of causclence and that il Is the rnuIua
dnty OF oil TO practice Christian forbGrancr love g.
clTnYuv foyvards eet,h nthor 0'