Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-01-16

BILL OF RIGHTS.
a Declaration IF Rights made by the Representatives.
Of the good People Of Pirgina, assembled in fuH
and free Convention; 'rhich rights ito pertain 10
them, and their posterity, as he basis and (ounda
ton Of Government.
Unanimously adopted June lah, l776l
I. Thut all men by nature equally free and
independent and have certain Inherent rights, of
which, when thcy enter into state of society, they
cannot by any compact, deprive or dyess their pos
tcrity; namely, the enjoyment of life and liberty
with tho of acquiring and possessing property
aud pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety.
2. That all power is vested in, and conseQue ntly
derived from, the people; that Magistrates are their
trustees and servants, and all times amenable to
| them.
;. That government is, ought to be, instituted
for the common benefit, protection and security of
the people, nation or community: of all The various
modes and forms of government, that is BEST which
IS capable of producing the greatest degree of hap
lpinesS and safety, aud is most efcctuay secured
against the danger OF nla-udminstration and that,
when any government shall be found inadequate or
contrary to these purposes, majority of the comu,i-
nifty hath an indubitable unacnnble, and indeteasibe
right, to reform, alter, abolish it, such manner
as shell be Judged most conducive TO the public veal.
4. That no man, or set of men, entitled to ex-
lcluslve or separate emol,ments or privileges from
the community, but in consideration Of public servi-
cess which not being descendable neither ourh. the
Offices OF Magistrate, Legislators or 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 mSmbers of the two first may
ne restrained from oppression, by feeling and partci-
Epatins the burthens of the people, they should nj,
fixed periods. be reduced private station return
into that hodl from which they originally taken
and the vacancies be supplied by rcoient ccrtuiu
and regular ee:tions, which ALL or any part of the
former members, TO be again eligible. or nc!ig,ble
Us the laws shall direct.
o. That elections of members to serve as rcpresen-
tatves OF The people, in Assembly, ought to be free;
and that all men, having sufficient evidence of per
inanent 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-
representatives. So elected, nor bound by any law TO
which they have not, in like manner, asscnted. for
the public good
| 2. That all power OF suspcnding laws. or the OK
ecuon OF laws by any authority, without consent OF
the representatives of the people, injurious TO their
rights, and ought not to be exercised
9. That, in all capital criminal prosecutions, a
man hath right to demand the cause AMI nature of
his accusation, to be confronted with the accuscrs
and Witnesses to call for evidence in his favor and
to speedy trial by an impartial ,ury of his vcinaoo
without whose unanimous consent, he cannot be
found guilty. nor can he be compelled to give evil
tence against HIMSELF that no man be derived of
his liberty except by the law Of the land or the udg-
ment of his peers. 1s
g. Ihut 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 or TO
seize any person or persons not named, or whose Of
fence Is not particularly described ard supported bv
evidence, are grevous and oppressive and ought moi
to be granted O
~. tiat, IN controversies respecting property.
ana insults between man and man, the ancient trial
/ ny jury s preferable any other and OUGHT To he
| held sacred. W
1e. That the freedom of the press is one of the
great bnlwarks oflberty and can never be restrain
ed but by despotic governments.
| 10. That well regulated militia, comp osed of
the BODY OF the people, trained to arms is the pro-
per, ma urul and safo defence free StnIe. that
standing armies, IN time of peace should be avoided
as dangerous to Iiberty and that in all cases tho
military should be under strict subofdnation to- and
governed by, the civil power.
| Ia. That the people have right to uniform nov.
ernmen and therefore, that government separate
from, or independent of, The government of Virg;n
a. ought to be erected established within the linn
| its thereof ' ''e '''-
lo That no free government, or the blessino If
iioerty, can be preserved to any people, but by
Iirn adherence to justice, moderation, temperance
frugay, and virtue, and by frequent recurrence To-
fundamental principles. W
l6: That religion, the duty which we owe to
our Creator. and the manner of discharpinr il can
| be directed only by reason and conviction. NOT bv
force or violence; and therefore all men are enuoy
entitled to the free exercise of religion according r.
the dictates of conscience; and that it is tho mutual
duty OF all to practice Christian forbearance love 4,
charity towards each other W. ~
AN AMPNnEn OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES,