Virginia Declaration of Rights
The Declaration was drawn upon by Thomas Jefferson for the opening paragraphs of the
Declaration of Independence. It was copied by the other colonies and became the basis of the Bill
of Rights. Written by George Mason, it was adopted by the Virginia Constitutional Convention on
June 12, 1776.
A DECLARATION OF RIGHTS made by the representatives of the good people of Virginia, assembled
in full and free convention which rights do pertain to them and their posterity, as the basis and
foundation of government.
Section 1. 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.
Section 2. 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.
Section 3. 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, when any
government shall be found inadequate or contrary to these purposes, a majority of the community has
an indubitable, inalienable, and indefeasible right to reform, alter, or abolish it, in such manner
as shall be judged most conducive to the public weal.
Section 4. That no man, or set of men, is entitled to exclusive or separate emoluments or
privileges from the community, but in consideration of public services; which, nor being
descendible, neither ought the offices of magistrate, legislator, or judge to be hereditary.
Section 5. That the legislative and executive powers of the state should be separate and
distinct from the judiciary; and that the members of the two first may be restrained from
oppression, by feeling and participating the burdens 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.
Section 6. 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, assembled
for the public good.
Section 7. 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.
Section 8. That in all capital or criminal prosecutions a man has 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 twelve men 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
judgment of his peers.
Section 9. That excessive bail ought not to be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor
cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Section 10. That general warrants, whereby an 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.
Section 11. 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.
Section 12. That the freedom of the press is one of the great bulwarks of liberty, and
can never be restrained but by despotic governments.
Section 13. 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 governed by, the civil power.
Section 14. 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.
Section 15. 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.
Section 16. That religion, or the duty which we owe to our Creator, and the manner of
discharging it, can be directed only 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 practise Christian forbearance, love, and
charity toward each other.
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