Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1830-01-23


nation. in such newspapers % BY advice Of Council
were directed to publish the Act Of the General
Assembly OF Virginia, to organize Convention. =
tSEAL.] the seal of the Commonwe aith at Rich
~ -t- a-r VIM. b GILES.
BILL OF RIGHTS. -
a Declaration If Riyhts made By the Representatives.
Of tke good People az Virginia, assembled IN Tafi
aud free Conuention; Which rigAts do pertain to
tem, and their posierity, as ne basis and f.undd-
- [Unanhuousiy adopted June I1sh, Ir7s)
I. That all men are by nature equally FREQ and
independent, and hive certain inherent rights, of
which, when they enter into state of society. they
cannot by any compact deprive or divcst their pos
tefity; namely, the enjoyment Of life and liberty,
with the Of acquiring md possessing property,
aud pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety
2. That all power il vested in, and conseque ntly
derived from, the people; that Magistrates are their
trustees and servants, and at all times amenable to
them.
5. That government is, or ought to be, instituted
the people, nation community: of all The 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 efectuallY secured
against the danger of NAL administration; and that
when any government shall be found inadequate or
contrary TO these purposes majority of the
nifty hath an ndubtable, unaenable, and indefeasible
right, to reform, alter, abolish it, in such manner
shall be judged most conducive the public veal
a. That no man, or set Of men, entitled TO ex-
elusive or separate emoluments or privileges from
the community, but in consideration of public scrvi
ces; which not being descendabe, neither ouuh. the
offices of Magistrate, Legislator, Judge, to be
hereditary.
s. 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 NAV
be restrained from oppression, by feeling and partic
pating the burthens of the people, they should, at
fixed periods be reduced to private station return
into that body from which hey originally taken,
and the vacancies be supplied by frequent, certain
and regular elections in which ALL or any part Of the
former members, to be again eligible, or ineligible,
us the laws shall direct
6. That elections of members to serve as rcpresen-
taves of the people, in Assembly, ought to he free
and that all men, having sufficient evidence of per-
rpanept common interest with, and attachment to,
the community have the right Of suffrage, and can
not be taxed or deprived Of their property for public
uses, without their consent, that Of their re-
presentatves 80 elected, nor bound by any law to
which they have not in like manner, assented, for
the public good.
=. That all power of suspending laws, or the ex-
ecution OF laws by any authority without consent of
the representatives Of the people, injurious to their
rights and ought not to be exercised.
0. That, in all capital criminal prosecutions, q
MIN hath right to demand the cause and aature Of
his accusation, to be confronted with the accuscrs
and witnesses, to call for evidence in Ibis favor, and
to speedy trial by an impartial jury of his vicnage,
without whose unanimous consent, he cannot be
dence against himself that no man be deprived of
his liberty except by the law Of the land, the judg
ment of his peers
o. That excessive bail ought not to be required
nor excessive fines imposed nor cruel and unusual
punishment inflicted.
10. That general warrants whereby officer or
fuesseuger may be commanded to search suspected
places without evidence of a fact committed, or to
seize any person persons not named, whose Of
fence is not particularly described ard supported by
evidence, grevous and oppressive, and ought not
10 be granted.
and in suits between and man. the ancient trial
by jury is preferable to any other and ought be
held sacred.
12. That the freedom Of the press is one of the
great bulwarks ofiberty, and be restrain
ed but by despotic governments. -
13. That a well regulated militia, mposed of
the body Of the people, trained to arms is the pro-
per, natural and safe defence of free State; that
standing arues in time Of peace, should be avoided
as dangerous to liberty; and that il all cases, the
military should be under strict subordnaon to, and
governed by, the civil power.
ID. That the people have right to uniform rov-
ernment; and therefore, that government separate
from, independent of, Tho government of Virgin
IA, ought 70 be erected established within the lin
IFS thereof
Is. That no free government, or the blessing of
liberty. can be preserved to any people, but by
firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperahc
ugalty, and virtue, and by frequent recurrence 10
fundamental principles.
10. That religion, or the duty which VIC owe to
our Creator and the manner Of discharging il, can
be directed only by reason and conviction not by
force violence aud therefore all men equally
eptited to the free exercise Of religion according
the dictates Of conscienoe and that il is the mutual
duty OF oil 10 practice Christian forbea rance, love, g.
Charity towards each other.