Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1830-01-16
a3.Itts Rtntta s. Constitution
BILL OF RIGHTS

a Declaration II flights made on the Representatives.
ofte good People of pirciniu assembled in MI
and free Convention: rhieh rirsfs ' do pertain 10
them and their pos.erity, as he basis and founda
lion ef Government =.
Unanimously adopted. June Ia,h, I77sl
I. Thut all men by nature equally FREQ and
independent, aud have certain inherent rights, of
which, when they enter INTO state ut society, :-y
cannot. by any compact, deprive or dlvcst their pos
teritv; namely, the enjoyment of life and liberty,
with the of acquiring and possessing property,
and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety. ..
9. That all power vested in, and conseqnc ntly
derived from, the people; that Magistrates their
trustees md servants, and at all times ninenabc
/ them.
). That government is, ought TO be, instituted
for the common benefit, protection and security OF
the people, nation community: of all the various
modes and forms of government, that is best which
IS capable OF producing he greatest degree Of hap
pincss and safety, and is most eftcctuay secured
against the danger of administrations and that
when any government shall be found Inadequate or
contrary To these purposes, majority of the cou-
nifty hath an indpbtable unacnabe. aud indefeasihc
right, tn refoc,n, alter, abolish it. in snch manner
rs shall be Judged most conducive TO the public veal
4. That no man, of men, are entitled TO OK
elusive or separate emol'imenjs privileges from,
the community but i'll consideration OF public eeryi.
ces; which moi being dcscendabe, neither ouch. the
offices OF Magistrate, Legislator, Judge, to be
hereditary.
| D. That the Legislative and Executive powers of
the State should be separate and distinct from the
Jdciary and that the members of the txo first may
be restrained from oppression by feeling and partic-
patiiE the burihens OF the people, they should, at
fixed periods be reduced to private sutton return
into that hody from which they were originally take
aud the vacancies be supplied by frequent certain,
and rcgslar elections, in which all any part OF the
former members, TO be again eligible or Ineligible
! The laws shall direct.
c. Thut elections of members 10 serve rs rcprcscn
tativcs of The people, in Assembly, ought to be frees
and that oil 1cn. having sufficient evidence OF per
inanent common interest with, and attachment to-
the community have the right of sufiraue and cau-
rot he taxed deprived OF their property for public
uses, without their own consent, that Of Their re-
preSentativcs elected, nor bound by uny law TO
winch they have not, III like manner, as.en,ed, for
the public good.
2 That al power OF suspen;ng laws or the ex-
ccution OF laws, by any authority without consent OF
the representatives. OF the people is injurious 70 their
rights, and ought not TO be exercised.
o. That. III all capital or criminal ~ osccutiops
man Hath right to demand the cause AM nature Of
his accusation, 10 be confronted with the accusers
ld Witnesses TO call for evidence in his favor and
to speedy tria! by an impartial Jury CT his vcinugc
without whose unanimous consent, lie cannot be
iound guilty. can he be compelled to Uiv, ev.
dcnce against himself that man be deprived of
his liberty except by the law cf;c land or the iudr.
mcnt of his peers.
0. That excessive bail ought not to be required
nor excessive fines imposed, cruc! and unusual
punishment inflicted.
10. That general warrants whereby an officer mr.
messenger may be commanded to search SUSPECTED
places without evidence of fact committed or to
Se'ze any person persons not named or wl.oec OF
fence net particularly described ard supported by
evidence, are gFcvous and oppressive, and ought not
~ be granted
II. Ihat, IN controversies respecting prnper,v
and III suits between and man. the ancient trial
by jury Is preferable 10 any ether and ought 10 be
held sacred.
IT, That the freedom of the press is one Of the
great bwarks ofliberty, and never be rcstrain-
cd but by despotic governments.
10 That n well regulated militia, composed of
the body OF the people, trained to arms is tic pro-
per, ma ural and safe defence of free State; That
standing armies, in time of peace, should be avoided
as dangerous to liberty and that IL al cases, the
military should be under strict subordination to- and
governed by, the civil power.
IL. That the people have u right to uniform GOV
ernineD and therefore, that government separate
from, or independent of, The government of piygin
"a, ought to be erected established within tile i'm
its thereof
To- That no free government, or the blessing of
liberty, can be preserved to any people, but by
rm adherence to justice, moderation temperance
fugaty, ond virtue, and by frequent recurrence TO
fundamental principles
10. That religion, the duty which we owe to
our Creator. and the manner of dischnrpinr il, can
be directed only by reason and conviction. not bv
force or violence; and therefore all men are ecunll
entitled to the free exercise Of religion according In
the dictates of conscience; and TINT it is the mutual
duty of all TO practice Christian forbearance love g.
charity towards each other.