Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1830-02-04
BILL OF RIGHTS.

BILL OF RIGHTS.
A Declaration Of Rights made By The Representatives
ofthe rood People Of Prg'nia, assembled IN yatt
80! free Cc7,-cniion; Uhich rights do pertain 10
them, and their postsrisy, as he basis md t''da-
lion 9f Government
l. That ali by nature equally free and
independent, and have certaio inherent rights, of
which, when they enter into stale of society, they
cannot by any compact, deprive dIvest their pos
,erty; namely, the enjoyment Of life and liberty,
with the of acquiring and possessing property,
and pursuing and obtaining Happiness and safety.
2. That all power is vested in and conseque ntly
derived from, the people; hut Magistrates their
trustees and servants and ut all times anenabie to
them.
3. That government is. or ought to be- instituted
for the common benetil, protection and security OF
the people, nation or community: OF all he various
modes and forms of government, that is best, which
IS capable of producing the greatest degree of hap
piness and safety, and most effhctuallY secured
against the danger of mNl-adinnistraton; and that.
when any government shall be found inadequate or
contrary to these purposes majority of the commit
nifty hath indubitabe, unaenabc. and ndcfcasible
right, to REFORM alter, abolish it, snch
shall BE- judged most conducive TO the public veal
4. That no man, or set of men, are entitled to
elusive separate emolumens privileges from
the community, but IN consideration OF public sgrvi
ces which NOT being descendable neither ought the
offices of Magistrate, Legislator Judge, TO be
hereditary.
8. That the Legislative and Executive powers Of
the State should be separate and distinct from the
Judiciary and that the members of the two first may
be restrained from oppression, by feeling and partici
patng the burthers of the people, they should, at
fixed periods be reduced private station return
into that body from which they originally taken,
aud the vacancies be supplied by frequent, certain,
and regular elections, in which ALL any part of the
former members to be again eligible. ineligible,
{ the laws shall direct.
6. That elections of members to serve as reprcsnn-
tatives of the people, in Assembly, ought to be fee
Dnlf hat "a hny
nanert 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 consent. That Of their re-
representatives. elected, nor bound by any law to
which they have not, in Ike manner, as.enteh for
the public good
That all power Of snspending laws, or the OK
ecution OF laws, by authority. without of
the representatives of the people, Is injurious to their
rights, and ought not to be exercised.
g. Plat, In all capital criminal prosecutions a
man hath right to demand the cause and nature Of
his accusation, 10 be confronted with the
and witnesses, to call for evidence his favor aud
to speedy trial by impartial Jury of his vcinage.
without whose unanimous consent, he cannot be
found guilty. he be compelled to give evil
dencc against himself that no man be deprived of
his liberty except By the lazy of the land, the udg
ment of his peers.
g. That excessive bail ought not to be required
excessive fines imposed, nor cruel ard unusual
punishment inflicted.
10. That general warrants, whereby officer or
messenger may be commanded to search suspected
places without evidence of fact co..,ltied, or to
any person persons not named, or whose of
fence is not particularly described ard supported by
evidence, are grevous and oppressive, and ought no,
70 be granted.
liz Tint, In controversies respecting property,
and In suits between man and man, the ancient trial
by jury is preferable TO any other and Ought be
held sacred.
IL. That the fieedon of the press is one of the
great buwarks of liberty, and be restrain
cd but by despotic governments.
l3. That we'll regulated militia, comp osnd of
the body of the people, trained to arms is the pro-
per, ma ura and safe defiance of free State; that
Guiding armies, in time of peace, should be avoided
dangerous to liberty; md that il all cases, the
military should be under strict subordnaton to- ind
Governed by, the civil power
IA. That the people have right TO uniform GOV
crlmeni; and therefore, that government separate
from or independent of, 'ho government of pirgin
-, ought to be erected established within the lin
is thereof
-. That no free government. or the blessing of
.'rriy. can be preserved 20 any people, but by
arm adherence TO lusticc, moderation, elDperauce,
.fugaluy, and virtue, and by frequent recurrence 10
tindam antaI principles
10. That religion, or the duty which we oye TO
our Creator, and the manner Of dlschaTgmg it, can
be directed only by reason and conviction. not by
force or violence; and therefore oil men arc equally
entitled to the free Of religion according to
the dictates OF conscience; and that IL is the mutual
duty OF all to practice Christian forbcarancc love g.
charity towards each ether.