Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1830-01-30
BILL. OLE RIGHTS.

BILL OF RIGHTS.
A Declaration Of Rights nade by the Represent
Of The good People Of PirSiHid, assembled an tGt
and free Convention; 'ciich rights do Pertdia 10
them, and their posfeltty, as ne 6dSlS and j0HRdG-
ton Of Government
Unanimously adopted, June 18th, I775l
1. That all men by nature equally free and
independent, and have certain inherent rights, OF
which, when they enter into state of society. they
cannot. by any compact, deprive dvest 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.
2. That all power Is vested IN, and consequently
derived from, the peoples that Magistrates are their
trustees and servants, and Ut all times anenable to
them.
B. That government is. ought to be, instituted
for the common benefit, protection and security of
the people, nation community: of all h 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 efeCtua,lY secured
against the danger of ma-adminstration; and that,
when any government shall be found inadequate or
contrary to these purposes, majority of the cOmU1u
ntv hath indubitabe, unalicnablc and indeeasb,e
right to reform, alter, abolish it. IN such
shall be Judged most conducive to the public veal
4. That man, or set of men, arc entitled 10 cX-
elusive separate emoluments or privileges from
the community but in consideration of public servi-
ces; which moi being descendable, neither ought the
offices of Magistrate, Legislator, or Judge to be
hereditary.
. 5. That the Legislative and Executive mowers Of
the State should be separate and distinct from the
Judiciary and that the nSmhcrs of the first may
be restrained from oppression. by feeling and partic
pating the burhers of the people. they should, al
fixed periods be reduced to private staten, return
into that body from which they were originally taken
and the vacancies be supplied by .iequent, certain,
and regular elections, in which all any part Of the
former members, to be again eligible. or Ineligible
as the laws shall direct
G. That elections of members to serve rs rcDrcsen-
tatives of the people, in Assembly ought to be free;
and that all men, having sufficient evidence of per-
manert common interest with, and attachment TO-
the community have the right of suffrage. aud can
not be taxed deprived of their property for public
uses, without their consent, that OF Their re-
representatives. so elected, nor bound by any law Co
which they have not, IN like manner, assented for
the public good.
z. That all power of suspendinr laws, or the ey-
ecution of laws, by any authority without consent Of
the representatives ofthe people is injurious to 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 OF
his accusation, to be confronted with the accuscrs
and Witnesses to call for evidence in his favor and
to speedy trial by impartial Jury of has vcinage.
without whose unanimous consent, ne cannot be
found guilty; he be compelled 20 give cvI-
dsnce against himself that no man be deprived Of
his liberty except by the law OF the and, the judg
ment of his peers
.. That excessive bail ought not to be required,
NOR excessive fines imposed, nor cruel 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 to
seize any person on persons not named or whose Of
fence is not particularly described ard supported 5y
evidence, grevous and oppressive, and ought not
to be granted.
II. That, IN controversies respecting property,
and in suits between and man, the ancient trial
by jury Is preferable to any other aud ought 10 be-
held sacred.
~. That the freedom of the press is one Of Che
great bIlwarks ofberty, and can never be restrain
ed but by despotic governments.
IS. That u well regulated militia composed Of
the body of the people, trained to arms, the pro-
per- natural and safe defence of free State; that
standing armies, in time Of peace should b. avoided
as dangerous to liberty; and that IL al cases the
military should be under strict subordnatIon TO- anu
governed by, the civil power.
ID. That the people have right to uniform GOT
eminent; and therefore, that government separate
from, or independent Of The government Of Iliygia
ia ought to DC erected established within the I'm
its thereof
10. That no free government, the blessing OF
liberty, can be preserved TO any people, bur BY
firm adherence 10 Justice, moderation, temperance 4
frugality, and virtue, and By fequen. recurrence 10
fundamental principles
l6. That religion, or the duty which We owe 20
onr Creator, and the manner Of dischargng it can
be directed only By reason and conviction, uo' Gy
force or violence; and therefore sil are equal,
entitled to the free exercise of religion according To-
the dictates OF conscience; and that IL D. the mutual
dnty of all to practice Christian Orbcarancc love s.
do aof. fl,,.