general tax, or any other tax on the people of this state, for the support of any religion."(a)

§ 96. On the 12th June, 1776, the representatives of the people of Virginia, assembled in convention, adopted a bill of rights, as follows

"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.

"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.

"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 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.

"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 to be hereditary.

(a) Sect. 13, Art. 1, of amendments.

"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 bur thens 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.

"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 commu nity, 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.

"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.

"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 judgment of his peers.

"That excessive bail ought not to be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

"That general warrants, whereby an officer or mes

senger may be commanded to search suspected places without evidence of a fact committed, or to seize any person or persons not named, or whose offence is not particularly described and supported by evidence, are grievous and oppressive, and ought not to be granted.

"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.

"That the freedom of the press is one of the great bulwarks of liberty, and can never be restrained but by despotic governments.

"That a well regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, trained to arms, is the proper, natural, and safe defence 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.

"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.

"That no free government, or the blessing 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.

"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 towards each other."

By Article 1st of the amended constitution of this state, adopted 14th January, 1830, it is declared, "The declaration of rights made on the 12th June, 1776, by

the representatives of the good people of Virginia, assembled in full and free convention, which pertained to them and their posterity, as the basis and foundation of government; requiring in the opinion of this convention no amendment, shall be prefixed to this constitution, and have the same relation thereto as it had to the former constitution of this commonwealth."

§ 97. In the state of VIRGINIA, the legislative power, by the constitution of that state, is vested in two distinct branches, called together the General Assembly of Virginia. One of these branches is called the house of delegates, and consists of one hundred and thirty-four members, chosen annually by the several counties. The other branch is the senate, consisting of thirty-two members, chosen by districts. Each house appoints its own officers, and judges the elections of its own members. They have power to divest all persons, civil, military, executive or otherwise, from all power, office, or emolument from the state, who have fought a duel or been engaged in a duel in any manner. All cases of impeachments arise in the house of delegates, but are tried by the senate.

The legislature is required to meet at least once every year; and neither house during the session, without the consent of the other, can adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other place than that in which the two houses shall be sitting. A majority of each house constitutes a quorum, but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day. All laws must originate in the house of delegates, to be approved or rejected by the senate, or to be amended with the consent of the house of delegates.

Sec. 11 of art. 3, contains a limitation upon legislative power. It declares, "The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not in any case be suspended. The legislature shall not pass any bill of attainder; or any ex post

facto law; or any law impairing the obligation of contracts; or any law, whereby private property shall be taken for public uses, without just compensation; or any law abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press. No man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, place, or ministry whatsoever; nor shall any man be enforced, restrained, molested, or burthened in his body or goods, or otherwise suffer, on account of his religious opinions or belief, but all men shall be free to profess, and by argument to maintain, their opinions in matters of religion, and the same shall in no wise affect, diminish, or enlarge their civil capacities. and the legislature shall not prescribe any religious test whatever; nor confer any peculiar privileges or advantages on any one sect or denomination; nor pass any law requiring or authorizing any religious society, or the people of any district within this commonwealth to levy on themselves or others any tax for the erection or repair of any house for public worship, or for the support of any church or ministry; but it shall be left free to every person to select his religious instructor, and make for his support such private contract as he shall please." § 98. The declaration of rights of North Carolina, adopted on 18th December, 1776, provided:

"That all political power is vested in, and derived from, the people only.

"That the people of this state ought to have the sole and exclusive right of regulating the internal government and police thereof.

"That no men, or set of men, are entitled to exclusive or separate emoluments or privileges from the community, but in consideration of public services.

"That the legislative, executive, and supreme judicial powers of government, ought to be forever separate and distinct from each other.

"That all powers of suspending laws, or the execution