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12
juni 1776
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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