The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-01-31
FOR THE MADisONIAN.

FOR THE MApisoNIAs.
JUNE, l776,-WHo WE'RE THEN DEEMED PEOPLE, :"
AND lsHABiTANrsi WHAT WE'RE NEGROES?
| Fellow CITIZENS The Continental Congress of
liza used the words People and b.habi-
tant," in fixed and definite sense and significant of
those who were entitled to English Liberty, aud
which did not include Negroes. We find that two
years after, l2 June, l776 Virginia declared her
self free and independent.
cats General Convention of Delegates and Repre-
sentatives from the several counties and corporations
Of Virginia. held at the capitol in the city of Williams
burg, on Monday the 9th May, l776 %
Declaration of Rights made by the Represen-
tatves Of the good people of Virginia assembled in
full and free convention: which right, do pertain 10
them and u'eir Poseriy as the basis and foundation
OF Government
Unanimously adopted June u, l776.
/. That all men by nature equally free and in
dependent and have certain inherent rights Of which
when they enter into state Of society they cannot
by any compact, deprive dvest their posterity
namely, the enjoyment Of life and liberty with the
means OF acquiring and possessing property and pur
suing and obtaining happiness and safety.
2. All power is vested m, and consequently derirtc
from, the People that magistrates their trustee,
, and servants, and at all times amenabe to them.
8. That government 10, or ought TO be, instituted
for the bent protection and security of the
People, nation or community - and that when an,
government shall be found inadequate contrary e
these purposes, majority Of the community hath al
ndubtabIe, unaliensble, and indefeasibe RICH, e
REFORM and abolish ii In such manner as shall be mos
r conducive TO the public veal
That in all capital or criminal prosecutions
hath right TO demand the cause and nature o
his accusation; TO be confronted with the accuscr
and witnesses; TO call for evidence in his favor an,
To. IA. K..I H. 49,.
Y &C; that no man mo MANI be deprived of IN
liberty, except by the law Of the land the udgmen
Of his peers.
, 10 That general warrants, whereby an officer o.
e m osger may be commanded 10 search suspecte,
. places wiuoui sridenoe of fact committed 10 seiz.
any person or persons not named, phose eGenoe
not particularly described, and supported by evidence
J. are grievous and oppressive, and ought not TO b.
granted.
ii. That in controversies respecting property, and
= IN nns between MAN and MAN the ancient tria
by JURY IS preferable TO any other and ought to b.
held sacred.
10 Tha, well regulated mi Tia, composed of tn,
body oil the People trained TO arms is the proper an,
v natural defence Of free State.
Unanimously adopted 29h June, l77e.
CHAPTER II.
Whereas, George III. King Of Great Britain an,
Ireland and Elector Of Hanover heretofore eptru,t
ed with the kngly Office in this government hath en-
J. deayored TO pervcrt the same into a detesiable an,
g unsupportsble tyranny, by-Ocre follows a lont
enumeration Of msrule, and then procceds)-
For depriving US OF the benefits of the trial b,
, jury by destroying the lives Of our Peop,; b,
prompting ouR NEGROES to rise in arms sgains, rs
fhoss roy negroes whom, by an inhuman use of hi
negative, he hath refused permission 10 erciud, D.
taUi by which several acts Of misrule, the govern
ment sof this country, as formerly exercised unde
i the crown of Great Britain, is totally dissolved.
e q We therefore, the Delegates and Representa-
tives OF the good people Of Virginia, &c. (2)
This declaration was drawn up by Jefferson. and !
plainly from the same pen which drew the Deolara
ton Of Independence, Of which IL is the great nre
cursor, and exemplsr. 1t is pleasing, at his dav. {,
recollect that this important Declaration of indie
pendence on the 18th June preceded that of I776 il
July by all the States tina, both are from the pen q
Virginian; that virginian, Richard Henry lee
was selected to move this grand and important decIn
ration for all the States; and that Washington. yr
ginian, was selected by his country to make il eoos
at the head Of the armies Of the American People.
Let us hold in mind, too, tina, this distinguishes
Stale and these preeminent men we're slave nepr,
n breeders, and negro African owners
g The same words occur in both the Deolar,t,o, ~
Independence of June I77s and of July. 17,e as
found in the Declaration of the Continental Congress
OF IVA These terms had then fixed constitutions
and nirsr'ni meaning, al hot day; and with all homes
and well constituted minds that is the meaning wbo,
ough, to prevail NOW, at this day.
Was the negro in IVA, or in June and July. I77s
considered in political social sense, a. Os, O,
rss Psorls,' and entitled TO all their immun;,,,