I - That all men are by nature equally free and independent, and have
certain inherent rights, of which, when they enter into a state of
society, they cannot, by any compact, deprive or divest their posterity;
namely, the enjoyment of life and liberty, with the means of acquiring
and possessing property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and
safety.
II - That all power is vested in, and consequently derived from, the
people; that magistrates are their trustees and servants, and at all
times amenable to them.
III - That government is, or 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 happiness and safety and is
most effectually secured against the danger of maladministration; and
that, whenever any government shall be found inadequate or contrary to
these purposes, a majority of the community hath an indubitable,
unalienable, and indefeasible right to reform, alter or abolish it, in
such manner as shall be judged most conducive to the public weal.
IV - That no man, or set of men, are entitled to exclusive or separate
emoluments or privileges from the community, but in consideration of
public services; which, not being descendible, neither ought the offices
of magistrate, legislator, or judge be hereditary.
V - That the legislative and executive powers of the state should be
separate and distinct from the judicative; and, that the members of the
two first may be restrained from oppression by feeling and participating
the burthens of the people, they should, at fixed periods, be reduced to
a private station, return into that body from which they were 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, as the laws shall direct.
VI - That elections of members to serve as representatives of the people
in assembly ought to be free; and that all men, having sufficient
evidence of permanent common interest with, and attachment to, the
community have the right of suffrage and cannot be taxed or deprived of
their property for public uses without their own 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.
VII - That all power of suspending laws, or the execution of laws, by
any authority without consent of the representatives of the people is
injurious to their rights and ought not to be exercised.
VIII - That in all capital or criminal prosecutions a man hath a right
to demand the cause and nature of his accusation to be confronted with
the accusers and witnesses, to call for evidence in his favor, and to a
speedy trial by an impartial jury of his vicinage, without whose
unanimous consent he cannot be found guilty, nor can he be compelled to
give evidence against himself; that no man be deprived of his liberty
except by the law of the land or the judgement of his peers.
IX - That excessive bail ought not to be required, nor excessive fines
imposed; nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
X - That general warrants, whereby any officer or messenger may be
commanded to search suspected places without evidence of a fact
committed, or to seize any person or persons not named, or whose offense
is not particularly described and supported by evidence, are grievous
and oppressive and ought not to be granted.
XI - That in controversies respecting property and in suits between man
and man, the ancient trial by jury is preferable to any other and ought
to be held sacred.
XII - That the freedom of the press is one of the greatest bulwarks of
liberty and can never be restrained but by despotic governments.
XIII - That a well regulated militia, composed of the body of the
people, trained to arms, is the proper, natural, and safe defense of a
free state; that standing armies, in time of peace, should be avoided as
dangerous to liberty; and that, in all cases, the military should be
under strict subordination to, and be governed by, the civil power.
XIV - That the people have a right to uniform government; and therefore,
that no government separate from, or independent of, the government of
Virginia, ought to be erected or established within the limits thereof.
XV - That no free government, or the blessings of liberty, can be
preserved to any people but by a firm adherence to justice, moderation,
temperance, frugality, and virtue and by frequent recurrence to
fundamental principles.
XVI - That religion, or the duty which we owe to our Creator and the
manner of discharging it, can be directed by reason and conviction, not
by force or violence; and therefore, all men are equally entitled to the
free exercise of religion, according to the dictates of conscience; and
that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian forbearance,
love, and charity towards each other.
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