Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1830-02-01
BILL. OF RIGHTS.

BILL OF RIGHTS.
a Declaration Of Rights made by the Representative
qfUte good People Of Hirgiaid, assembled tn taif
and free Convention; tchich rights 90 pertain 10
t5ezn, and their pos.eriy, as he 6asi' and fouIda-
don Of Government
-. UNANIMOUSLY adopted, June 18th, I7Te
I. Yhst all men BY nature equally FREQ and
independent, and have certain inherent rights, OF
which when th.y enter into state of society, they
by any compact, deprive or divest their pos
terity; namely, the enjoyment OF life and liberty,
with the means of acquiring and possessing property,
and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety.
=. That all power is vested IN. and conscQnc ntiy
derived from, the peoples that Magistrates are their
trustees and servants, and at all times umenabe to
them.
g. That government Ia or ought TO be, instituted
for the common benefit, protection security of
the people, nation commuuityi of all he various
modes and forms OF government that Is best, which
il capable of producing he greatest degree of hap
piness and safety, and mos, efectualli secured
ugaias, the danger OF na-udmnistrution; and hat,
when any government shall be found inadequate or
contrary to these purposes, majority OF the touuu-
nifty iuth lndubitabc, unalienable and Hde!easible
right, TO REFORM nter or abolish 1t IN such manner
as shall be Judged most conducive TO the public veal
q. Phat no man, set of men, are entitled 10 eN-
elusive separate emoluments or privileges from
the community, but IN consideration OF public sesv-
ces; which moi being descendablc, neither ough. the
offices of Magistrate, Legislator, or Judge to be
hereditary.
8. That the Legislative and Executive poWpfs Of
Judiciary; and that the mSInbers of the tao first may
be restrained from oppression, by feeling and partic-
putting the burhcns of the people, they should, al
fixed periods be reduced private station, return
into that body from which they originally taken,
Gpd the vacancies be supplied by frequent, certain,
aud regular elections, in which n any part OF the
former members, to be agnin eligible or ineligible,
the la US shall direct.
&. That elections of members To serve rcpreseu-
tnt,ves of the people, Assembly, ought be free;
aud that oil men, having sufficient evidence of per-
u1aDent common interest With. and attachment to,
the community, have the right Of suffrage and can
not be taxed deprived of their property for public
Uses without their own consent that of their re-
representatives. elected, boGnd By any law TO
which they have not, in like manner, assrned, for
the public good.
ignition of laws, by any authority without consent of
the representatives OF the people, injurious to their
rights, and ought not to be exercised.
Q. That. In oil capital or criminal prosecutions. q
mnn hath right to demand The cause and nature OF
his accusation, be confronted with the accuse rs
and witnesses, to- call for evidence in his favor and
to speedy trial by impartial Jury Of his vicinAg
without whose unanimous consent, he cannot be
found guilty; can he be compelled TO give evil
dsnce against himself: that be deprived of
bis liberty except by the law of the land the udg
Ilent of his peers.
8. That excessive bail ought not TO be required
nor excessive fines imposed, crne, ard uDuEuai
punishment inflicted.
10. That general warrants, whereby al officer or
tDpSSBDger may be commanded TO search suspected
places without evidence of fact committed, or to
eeIze any person persons not NAMED, whose of
fance is particularly described ard supported by
evidence, grievOus and oppressive and ought not
90 be granted
IL. That, IN controversies respecting property,
0ud III suits between and man, the ancient trial
by jury is preferable TO any other and oogbt 10 be
Gsid sacred.
10. That he fegdom of the press is one of the
gyeat buwarks ofliberty, and be rGsirain-
ed but by desDotIc governments.
ID. Tint well regulated militia cnmpa61,j Of
thu body of the people, trained to arU is the pro-
plr, ural and safe defencs of FREQ Stale; that
standing armies, 10 time Of peace should be avoided
dangerous to liberty; and that Ii all casgs the
military should be under striot subordination to, and
governed by, the civil power.
Ia. That the people have a right to uniform GOV
crnmeni; and therefore, that government separate
from, independent of, Tho government Of Pirgia
ia, ought to be erected established within the Inn
lis thereof
Is. That no free government, the blessing of
liberty, can be preserved TO any people, bat By u
firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance
togalty, and virtue. and by frequent recurrence to
fundamental principles.
16. That religion, or tho duty which owe ~
DIR Creator and the manner of discharGng il, can
be directed only by and conviction, not by
force or violence; and therefore all man are equally
entitled to The free exercise of religion according 10
the dictates of conscience; and that it is the mutual
duty of all TO practice Christian fJrbearanc1 love g.
charity towards each other.