Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1830-01-22
7sfIl nf 2stntta s. Constitute Il
ADOPTED ~ me C'reaf,o" Thursday. Jan H. 1890
BILL OF RIGHTS.

BILL OF RIGHTS.
A D~chtraon IF Rights mnde by the Eeprescntatiee
IF Hc good People Of Pirgin,a, assembled in FIT
and free Conreaiioa; rhieh rights do pertain "a
them, and tieir Posteray, as he basis and G'unda-
fioa Of GorernmeaL ,...,iN
UNANIMOUSLY adopted, june Iah, l77e a
1.i'fhat all men are by nature equally FREQ aud
independent, and have certain inherent rights, of
which. wca they enter into state Of society, they
cannot by any compact, deprive divost their pos
tcrity; namely, the enjoyment of life and liberty,
with the means of acquiring md possessing property,
and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety.
@ That an power is vested in, and consequently
derived from, The people; that Magistrates are their
trustees and servants and at all times amenablc to
Gcm.
Tor the common benefit, protection and security OF
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
pincss aud safety, and is most eectuallY secured
against the danger of administration; and that,
when nny government shall be found inadequate or
contrary to these purposes, majority OF the commn-
nifty hath an ndubtable, unacnabe, and indcfeasble
right, to reform, alter, abolish 1t, in such manner
shall be Judged most conducive TO the public veal.
4. That man, set of men, &c entitled to on
elusive or separate emoluments or privileges from
the community, but in consideration OF public servi-
eos; winch not being descendabe, neither ought the
Offices of Magistrate, Legislator, or Judge, to be
hereditary
5. That the Legislative and Executive powers Of
state shOulu ne S'puratc distinct from tne
Judiciary and that the msmbers of the two first may
he restrained from oppression by feeling and particle
patins the burtlcnS of the people, they should, at
fixed periods be reduced to private station, return
into that bod, from which they originally taken,
and the vacancies he supplied by frequent certain,
and regular elections, in which ALL any part of the
former members, TO be again eligible. or ineligible,
the laws shall direct.
6. That elections of members to serve as reprcsen-
tatives Of the people, in Assembly, ought to be irec
and that all men, having sufficient evidence of per-
mapcrt 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 or that of their
representatives. so elected nor bound by any law TO
which they have not, in like manner, assented for
the public good.
7. That ali power of suspendug laws, or the OK
ecuton of laws, by any authority without consent o!
the representatives OF the people, is injurious to their
rights. and ought not to be exercised.
8. That, in all capital criminal prosecutions,
man hath right to demand the cause and nature of
bis accusation, to be confronted with the accusers
and witnesses, to call for evidence in his favor and
TO speedy trial by an impartial Jury of his vicnage
without whose unanimous consent, he cannot be
found guilty; nor can he be compelled to give evil
dence against himself; that man be deprived of
his liberty except by the law of the land, the judg
ment of his peers.
9. That excessive bail ought not TO be required
nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual
punishment inflicted.
TO- That general warrants, whereby an officer or
messenger may De commanded TO search suspected
places without evidence of fact committed, or to
seize any person persons not named, whose of.
fence is not particularly described ard supported by
Evidence grievous and oppressive and ought not
TO be granted.
IL. That, in controversies respecting propert Y,
and in suits between man and man, the ancient trial
by jury is preferable to any other, and ought TO be
held sacred
IL. That the freedom of the press is one of the
great bulwarks of liberty and be restrain
ed but by despotlc governments.
13. That well regulated militia, composed OF
the body of the people, trained to is the pro-
per, natural and safe defence of free State; that
standing armies, in time of peace should be avoided,
as dangerous to liberty; and that IL all cases. the
military should be under strict subordnation to- and
governed by, the civil power.
IA. That the people have right to uniform gov
ernmeni; and therefore, that government separate
from, independent of, The government of Yugin
III, ought TO be erected established within the linn
its thereof.
10. That no free government, or the blessing o!
liberty. can be preserved to any people, but by u
firm adherence to justice, moderation temperance
ugality, and virtue, and by frequent recurrence "a
fundamental principles.
16. That religion, the duty which we owe 10
our Creator, and the manner Of discharging IT, car
be directed only by and conviction, not by
force or violence; and therefore all men are equally
entitled to the free exercise of religion according
the dictates of conscience and that it is the utua
duty Of all to practice Christian forbearancc love-