Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-01-30
RY THE CoyEssoa OF rnn coMMoNwrAITn OF

RY THE GovERNoR OF THE CoMMoNwEALrH OF
- VA PROCLH.M9IIOyV.-Wh the
Convention which assembled in the city of Richmond
on the first Monday in October 1922 pursuant toiaw to
consider discuss and propose Constitution, al
teratons and amendments TO the existing Constitution of
this Commonwealth, have adjourned sine die after hav
ing agreed upon amended Constitution or form of Gov
srnpsnt to be submitted to the people, by them
rauhed or rejected, William Ii. Giles, Governor have
thought proper, by and with the advice of the Council
oil State to make rroclamation now hereby pro-
claim that the said Convention did, the 18th day
January, in this present year, $780, adjourn sine die
and do direct that the said amended Constitution or form
oil Govcrnment for this Common shall be published
once week Tor three successive months together with
ShS proclamation, in such newspapers by advice of
Council were directed TO publish the Act the Gene
assembly OF Virginia, concerning Convention, passed
Given under my hand as Governor, and
lSHAL.] under ths soal of the Common eath at
Richmond this 18th day of January. 1880.
|an. al. ss-~3n VIM. b. GILES.
DILL. OF RIGHTS
a Declaration Of Rights mad by the Representa-
in full apdJre Convention; tohich rights do per-
fam to them. and their Pssterity, as the basis and
foundation of Government.
(Unanimously adopted Juno 18th, 1861
. L. That all men are by nature equally free and in
dependent, and have certain Inherent rights of which,
when they enter into state OF society, they cannot,
by any compact deprive div their postery
Iy, the enjoyment Of life and liberty with the means
o. acquiring and possessing properly and and
obtaining happiness and safety.
z. That all power IL vested in and ntIv de-
rived from, the people; that Magistrates are their
tees and servanis and at all times amenabie them
3. That governments Is, or onght to he, instituted Tor
the common benefit, proection and security OF tie peo
pie, nation, or community: Of all the various modes and
forms Of government, that is best which CAPABLE of
producing the greatest degree of happiness and safety
and IL most cfectuaiy secured against the of
Observation-Disclosures; and that when any government
shs he found inadequate contrary these
majority Of the community hath an indubtabe, una.
q. rIpl tn rafnr oil.
polish II, IN such manner as shall be judged
dacive to the public veal
4. That man, ef men, are entitled to exclu
give or separate emsuments privileges from the COM
nHny, but in consideration Of public services, which
not being descenibe, neither ought The Offices Of Ma.
gis'rate, Legislator, or Judge, to be hereditary
s. That the Legislative and Executive powers of the
State ,hould be separate and distinct from the Judicial
Ty; and that the member. Of the two first may he re-
strained from oppression, by feeling and participating
the burhens OF the people, they should, fIed pc
RODS, he reduced TO private station return iuo that
body from which hey were originally taken, and The
vacancies he ,ufpled by frequent certain, and regu-
Oar elections in which all, part OF the former
members to DC again eligible, or nrlyible the laws
shall direct.
ves OF the people. In Assembly, ought free; and
that all men, hav ng sufficient evidence OF pernane Mt
common interest with. and attachment to, the
nifty, have the right OF outrage. and cannot he taxed
deprived Of their property for public uses withou,
swn consent or that OF their representatives elected,
bound by any law TO which they have not, in like
manner, a'seBtel, Tor the public good.
Y. That all power OF suspending laws, or the
ton OF laws, by any authority, without consent Of the
natives Of the people, is injurious 10 their
rights, and ought not 10 be exercised.
That, in all capital or ciminaI ons, man
bath right to demand the and Of his
custon, TO be confronted with the accusers and wit
Resses TO call Tor evidence in h favor, and speedy
trial. by an imp,ral jury of his vcinage, without
whose unanimous consent, he cannot be found Guilty.;
he be compelled to give evidence against him.
sef that be deprived of hi. liberty, except by
the law Of tn Land, or the judgment of hi peers.
.. That excessive bail ought be required nor
eKcessivs hnes imposed, cruel and unusual punish
mvat inflicted.
10. That general warrants, whereby an officer or
messenger he commanded 10 irch SUPP cted pa-
ees, wi;hout evidences OF fact committed seize
any Terson or persons not named, whose offence is
particularly Described and supported by evidanc-
gIevous aud oppressive, and ought he granted
H. That in controversies respecting property, and in
fuits between and man, the ancient trial by Jury
preferable TO any sher AID hit be held sacred
H. That the freedom OF the pres. is of the great
buwa'ks Of liberty, and never be restrained bu,
10y dcspoc governments.
H. TbMa wei roeulated militia, con- posed Of the
bsdy Of the people, trained to the proper
raj and sae defence OF free State; that standing
es in time Of peace, shond be avoided, dangerous
to liberty; and that in all cases, the military should
be under strict subrination TO, aud governed by the
civil power
IL That the people have right TO uniform govern.
enf; and, therefore, that separate from
OF independent Of. the government Of Yirgina ought
to he erected or established within the limits thereof
u.s. That no fee government mt, the blessing Of lib
erty, can be preserved any people, hut by firm adj
herence TO Justice me Iteration. Temperance ffugaity.
and virtue, and by frequent 10 fundamental
principles.
l6 That religion, the duty which owe to our
Creator and the Of dschargng he direct.
ed only by and conviction no, by force vo-
Isnce and therefore all men equally entitled the
free exercise Of religion according TO the dictates Of
con,cienes; and that il i, the mutual duty Of all
practise Christian forbearance, love- and charity TO.
wards each other.
.s.V AMENDED CONSTITUTION
FORM OF GOVERNMENT FOR VIRGINIA.
[.1dopted January 1ith, 1901
Whereas, the Delegates and Representatives Of the
good people Of Virginia, in Convention assembled. OH
the twentynnth day OF June, In the year of our Lord
thousand seven hundred and seventy six tecit ny
and declaring, that whereas, George the third King OF
Great Britain and Ireland, and Eecor Of hanover be
fore that time entrusted with the exercise Of the kiogIy
Office in the Government Of Virginia had enIesvonr
ed 10 pervert the same into dctesabIe and ineupporta
bic tyranny by putting his negative laws the mos
wholesome aud necessary for the public COOL; by de
nying his Governors permission TO pass laws of lnme
date and pressing importance unless suspended in ihr
operation for his assent, and when suspend ID egg
lecng TO attend them for many years; by refusing
pass certain other laws unless he persons 10 be bene