Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1830-02-03
BILL, OF RIGHTS.

BILL OF RIGHTS.
a Declaration IF Rights made by the Representatives.
orMe good People Of Tirginid, assembled IA JGtl
apd free Contention: tchich rights do pertain 10
tism and their pas,e'iiy, rs he basis and i''add-
Unanimously adopted Jane I2ih I776
I. That all men BY nature equally free and
Independent, and have certain Inherent rights, N
which, when they enter INTO state of society they
cannot. by any compavt, deprive dveSt their pos
tcrity namely, the enjoyment of life and liberty
with the of acquiring aud possessing property
aud pursuing and obtaining happiness and saf;1y.
Q. That all power is vested in. and consequently
derived from, the people; that Magistrates are their
trustees and servants, aud at all times oncnable to
them
}. That government Is ought to be, instituted
for the common benefit, protection and security al
the people, nation or community: ~ all he various
modes and forms OF government, that Il best, which
is capable of producing the greatest degree of hap
pness and safety, and is most cfIectUallr secured
against the danger of administration; and that
when any government shall be found Inadequate or
contrary to these purposes, majority Of the comnu
MY hath ndubtable, unalcnabic, and i1drteaslbe
right, to reform, alter, abolish 1t, IN such manner
shall be- Judged most conducive TO the public veal.
:. That man, set of men, entitled to OK
elusive separate emoluments privileges from
the community, but in consideration Of public servi-
CTS; which moi being descendabe neither ourh, the
offices of Magistrate, Legislator, or Judge, to be
hereditary.
5. That the Legislative and ESecu'ive powers oil
fae State should he separate and distinct from the
Judiciary; and that the msfnbes of the two first
lie restrained from oppression by feeling and parici-
putting the burthens of the people, they should, at
fixed periods. be reduced private station return
into that body from which they originally taken,
and the vacancies be supplied by frequent, certain,
apd regular elections in which all, part Of the
former members, to be again eligible. or ineligible,
as the laws shall direct.
g. That elections of members to serve as represeu-
tatves of the people, IN Assembly, ought to he free;
and that all msn having sufficient evidence of per-
nj To
the community, have the rinh of suffrage and can
not be taxed deprived of their property for public
uses without their own consent, that of their re-
presentativcs SO elected, nor bound by any law to
which they have not, in like manner, asscutea, for
thg public i good .o. = -,- ,.
epnton of laws by any authority without consent of
the representatives of the people Is injurious their
rights, and ought not to be exercised.
8. That IN all capital or criminal prosecutions, a
man hath right to demand the cause and nature OF
his accusation, to be confronted with the uccusers
and Witnesses call for evidence In his favor and
to speedy trial BY impartial lury of his vicina
without whose unanimous consent, he cannot be
found guilty; nor can he be compelled to give evil
dance against himself that man be deprived of
hts liberty except by the law Of the fund, the udg
ment of his peers.
9. That excessive bail ought not to be required
nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual
punishment Inflicted.
10. That general warrants, whereby an officer or
rJessenger may be commanded to search suspect ed
places without evidence of fact committed, or to
seize any person persons not named, whose of
fshce is not particularly described ard supported by
Evidence, grievous und oppressive, and ought not
to be granted.
IL. That, III controversies respecting property,
and i'll suits between ind man. the ancient trial
by jury is preferable to any other and o1ght TO be
held sacred
12. That the freedom Of the press is one of the
great buiwarks ofGberty, and never be restrain
ed but by despotic governments.
10. That a well regulated militia, composed Of
tIe body of the people, trained tn arms 10 the pro-
per, a;ural and safe defence Of free States that
standing armies, in time Of peace should be avoided
as dangerous to liberty; add that il oil cases. tho
military should be under strict subordnution to- and
governed by, the civil power.
ID. That the people have right to uniform GOV
crnmenI; and therefore, that government separate
from, or independent Of The government of Tirgin
~, ought to be erected established within the lin
its thereof.
Is. That no free government, or the blessinr Of
liberty, can be preserved to any people, but BY
firm adherence TO Justice moderation, temperance
tngalty, and virtue, and by frequent recurrence TO
fundamental principles
l6 That religion, or tho duty which VIC owe 10
orr Creatot, and tho Of discharElng H. can
be directed only by reason and conviction. not By
force or violence; and therefore all men are equally
eutitled TO the free Of religion ACCORDING IN
te dictates Of conscience; and that it g tho mutual
duty OF ell 10 practice Christian forbeafuncc love- &,
Charity towards cuch .ther.