Virginia advocate. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1827-1860, 1830-01-22
BILL, OF RIGHTS.

sututlonJ proposed Tor the adoplion OF Tie ieo-
Pile
BILL OF RIGHTS.
n declaration Of Rights nude by the Representa-
tres Of the good People of VIRciSIA, assem-
bled in full aud free Contention /; phich
rights do pertain to them, and their Posteri-
ty, as the basis and foundation Of Gorern-
Tneat.
Unanimously adopted, June 18th, l176
/. That all men are by nature equally free
and independent, aud have certain inherent
rights, Of which, when they enter into state OF
society, they cannot, by any compact, deprive,
or divest their postefity namely. the enjoyment
of life and liberty, with the means of acquiring
and possessing property, and pursuing and OBJ
tanning happiness and safety.
g That all power is vested in, ard consequent
iy derived from. the people; that magistrates
nre their trustees and servants, and at all times
amenabe to them.
3, That Government is, or ought 10 be, ins.i-
tutcd for the common benefit, protection and Sc
curity of the people, nation or community OF
al the various modes and forn.s of government,
that is BEST which is capable OF producing the
greatest degree OF happiness and safety, and is
most efiectually secured against the dagger Of
mal-adminstration and that, when any govern
ment shall be found inadequate or contrary to
these purposes, a majority OF the community hath
an indubitable, unalcnab!e, ard indefeasihle
right to reform, alter or abolish it, in such a
manner as shall be judged most conducive to the
public veal.
a. That no man, or set of men, are entitled to
exclusive or separate cmolumcnts Or privileges
from The community, but in consideration ofpub-
lie services; which not being dcscendibie, nci-
Their ought the Offices of Magistrate, Legislator,
Judge, to be hereditary.
5. That the Legislative and Executive powers
of the State should be separate and distinct from
the Judiciary; and the members of the two
first may be restrained from oppression, by feel
ing and participating the bur,hens OF the people
they should, at fixed periods be reduced to pri-
vate station, return into that body from which
they were originally taken, and the vacancies
be supplied by frequent, certain. and regular G.
lections, in which all, any part of the former
members, 10 be again eligible, or ineligible, as
tho law direct.
6. That elections Of members to serve as rep
resentatives of the people, in Assembly, ought
to be free and That all men nay,'g
idence Of permanent common interest with, and
attachment TO, the community, have the right of
suffrage, and cannot be taxed or depry ed Of their
property for public uses, without their own con-
sent, or that OF their representative so elected
nor bound by any law to which they have not, in
like manner, assented, for the public good.
z. That all power Of suspcnding laws, or the
execution of laws, by any authority, without con
sent Of Che representatives Of tho people, is in
jurious to thor rights, aad ought not to be exer-
cised.
8. That, in all capital or criminal prosecutions,
man hath right to demand the cause and ma.
ture of his accusation, TO be confronted with the
accusers and witnesses, to cali for evidence in
his favor, and to speedy trial by an impartial
jury of his vlcihage, without whose unanimous
consent no cannot be found guilty; nor can bo
be compelled To give evidence against himself ::
that no man be deprived Of his liberty except
by the law ofthe land, or the judgment Of his
peers.
o. That excessive bail ought not to be recuir
cd, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and
unusual punishment inflicted.
10. That general warrants, whereby an officer
OF messenger may be commanded 10 search sus.
pectod places without evidence Of fact commit.
ted, or 20 soze any person or persons not named.
Of wboso offence is not particularly described