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

WM- B. GILES.
BILL OF RIGHTS.
A Declaration IF Rights made by The Representatives.
IF The good People Of Virgiatd, assembled IN fuH
and free Ccncenticn; trhich rights do pertain 20
them and their posierity as ne basis and Jou1dd-
ton If Government.
[Unanm,ously adopted, June 18th, IT1s1
l. That all men are by nature equally free and
Independent, AMI have certain inherent rights, Of
which, when they enter into state of society, they
cannot. by any compact, deprive dlvcst their pos
terty; 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 conseQuc utly
derived from, the people, that Magistrates are their
trustees and servants, and ut all times auenable to
them.
). That government is, Cigtt to be, instituted
for the common benefit, protection and security of
the people, nation 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 is most cffcctuailY secured
aganst the danger OF nIaladministration; and that,
when any government shall be found inadequate or
contrary to these purposes, majority of the couuu
jty hath indubtabe unalienabe, and indefeasible
right, to reform, alter, abolish it, in such
shall be judged most conducive to the public veal.
4. That no man, or set of men, entitled to
elusive separate enouments privileges from
the community, but N consideration OF public setvi-
ces; which moi being descendable, neither ought the
Offices of Magistrate, Legislator, or lodge, to be
Hereditary.
5. Yhat the Legislative and Executive poyeis 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-
paiing the burhens of the people, they should, at
fixed periods be reduced TO private station return
into that hody from which they originally taken
and the vacancies be supplied by frequent, certain,
and regular elections, in which ALL part of the
former members, to be again eligible, negligible
the laws shall direct.
6. That elections OF members to serve as represen-
tatlves of the people, in Assembly, ought to be free;
nOIfb ollr nof,o
nIanent common interest with, and attachment to,
the community, have the right of suffrage, and
not be taxed deprived of their property for public
without their consent, that of their re-
representatives. so elected, nor bound by any low 10
Yhich they have not'in Ike manner, asscmted, for
tie public good.
7. That ell power of sI1sp bonding laws, or the ex-
ccnIon OF laws, by any authority without consent of
the representatives Of the people, is njurious their
rights, and ought not to be exercised
9. That, IN all capital or criminal prosecutions,
man hath right to demand the cause and nature oi
his accusation, to be confronted with the accusers
and witnesses, to call for evidence his favor and
to speedy trial BY impartial jury OF his vclna re
without whose unanimous cDnsent, he cannot be
found guilty; can he be compelled to give evil
dHnce against himself that man be deprived of
his liberty except BY the lay of ,te land, the udg
ment Of his peers.
0. That excessive hail ourht not to be REQUIRED
nor excessive fines imposed, cruri and unusual
punishment inflicted.
10. That general warrants, whereby an officer or
messenger may be commanded to search suspected
places without evidence of fact committed or TO
seize any pnrsnn persons not named whose of
fence not particularly described ard supported by
evidence, are gEeyous and oppressive, and ought moi
% be granted.
II. That, in controversies respecting property,
and In suits between and man, the ancient trial
by jury is preferable to any other, and Ought be
ted sacred.
10. That the frGplom of the press is one of the
great bulwarks ofliberty and never BIO restrain
cd bat by despotlc governments.
10. That well regulated militia composed off
the body of the people, trained to arms, is the pro-
per, natural and safe defence of free Stale; that
standing armies, 10 time Of peace should be avoided
arg dangerous to liberty; and that il al casus the
military should be under strict subordinatioD to- and
governed by, the civil power.
ii. That the people have Il right to uniform gov
crnment; and therefore, that government separate
from, or independent Of The government of 1irgin
ia ought TO be erected established within the Inn
its thereof
Is. That no free government, or the blessing Of
liberty can be preserved TO any people, but by !
firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance !
flngay, and virtue, ond by frequent recurrence to
fundamental principles
is. That religion, the duty which wo owe tn
our Creator, and the manner Of discharging it, Gun
be directed only by reason and conviction, not by
force violence; and therefore all men are equally
entitled to the free exercise Of religion, according To
the dictates Of conscience; and that it il tho mutual
duty OF oil TO practice Christian forbearance love- e.
charity each other