DECLARACIÓN DE DERECHOS de los
representantes del buen pueblo de Virginia, reunidos en convención plena y
libre, cuyos derechos pertenecen a ellos y a la posteridad, como base y
fundamento del gobierno.
Sección 1. Que todos los hombres son por
naturaleza igualmente libres e independientes y tienen ciertos derechos inherentes,
de los cuales, cuando entran en un estado de sociedad, no pueden, por ningún
pacto, privar o despojar su posteridad.; a saber, el disfrute de la vida y la
libertad, con los medios de adquirir y poseer propiedades, y la búsqueda y
obtención de la felicidad y la seguridad.
Sección 2. Que todo poder reside en, y por
consecuencia, deriva del pueblo; que los magistrados son sus administradores y
sirvientes y en todo momento responsables ante el mismo.
Sección 3. Que el gobierno es, o debiera
ser, instituido para el bien común, la protección y la seguridad del pueblo,
nación o comunidad; de todos los modos y formas de gobierno, es el mejor el que
es capaz de producir el máximo grado de felicidad y seguridad, y es el más
eficazmente protegido contra el peligro de la mala administración. Y cuando
cualquier gobierno fuere considerado inadecuado, o contrario a estos
propósitos, una mayoría de la comunidad tiene el derecho indudable,
inalienable, e irrevocable de reformarlo, alterarlo o abolirlo, del modo juiciosa
más propicio al bien público.
Sección 4. Que ningún hombre o grupo de
hombres tienen derecho a emolumentos o privilegios exclusivos o independientes
de la comunidad, salvo en consideración a los servicios públicos; lo cuales, no
siendo hereditarios, tampoco deben serlo los cargos de magistrado, legislador o
juez.
Sección 5. Que los poderes legislativo y
ejecutivo del estado deben estar separados y distintos del judicial; que los
miembros de los dos primeros restringidos por la opresión, por el sentimiento y
la participación de las cargas de las personas deben, en períodos fijos, volver
a la actividad privad, volviendo a ese cuerpo del que originalmente fueron
sacados, y las vacantes serán suplidas por elecciones frecuentes, ciertas y
regulares, en el que todo, o parte, de los antiguos miembros, serán de nuevo
elegibles o inelegibles, según dicten las leyes.
Sección 6. Que las elecciones de los
miembros que servirán como representantes del pueblo, en asamblea, deben ser
libres; que todos los hombres que tienen pruebas suficientes de interés común
permanente con, y el apego a la comunidad, tienen el derecho de sufragio y no
pueden ser gravados o privados de su propiedad para uso público sin su propio consentimiento
o el de sus representantes así elegidos, ni limitado por ninguna ley que ellos
no hayan, de igual manera, sancionado por el bien público.
Sección 7. Que todo poder de suspensión
de las leyes, o la ejecución de las leyes, por cualquier autoridad, sin el
consentimiento de los representantes del pueblo, es injurioso para sus derechos
y no debe ejercerse.
Sección 8. Que en la totalidad de los
procesos penales o capitales un hombre tiene derecho a exigir la causa y la
naturaleza de su acusación, a ser confrontado con los acusadores y testigos, a
solicitar pruebas a su favor y a un juicio rápido por un jurado imparcial de
doce hombres de su vecindad, sin cuyo consentimiento unánime no puede ser
declarado culpable; ni puede ser obligado a declarar contra sí mismo; nadie
puede ser privado de su libertad sino por la ley de la tierra o el juicio de
sus pares.
Sección 9. Que gravámenes excesivos no
serán requeridos, ni se impondrán multas excesivas, ni castigos crueles e
inusitados.
Sección 10. Que mandamientos judiciales
generales, en los casos en el que un funcionario o agente puede ser mandado a
buscar lugares sospechosos sin pruebas de un hecho cometido, o para apoderarse
de cualquier persona o personas sin requerimiento, o cuyo delito no está
especialmente descrito y apoyado por la evidencia, son gravosos y opresivos y
no deben ser ejecutados.
Sección 11. Que en controversias con
respecto a la propiedad, y en conflictos entre hombre y hombre, el antiguo
juicio por jurado es preferible a cualquier otro y debe considerarse sagrado.
Sección 12. Que la libertad de prensa es
uno de los grandes baluartes de la libertad, y nunca puede ser restringida sino
por gobiernos despóticos.
Sección 13. Que una milicia bien
regulada, compuesta del cuerpo del pueblo entrenado para las armas, es la
defensa apropiada, natural y segura de un estado libre; que los ejércitos
permanentes, en tiempo de paz, deben evitarse como peligrosos para la libertad;
y que en todos los casos, los militares deben subordinarse y regirse
estrictamente por el poder civil.
Sección 14. Que el pueblo tiene derecho
a un gobierno uniforme; y, por tanto, que ningún gobierno separado o
independiente del gobierno de Virginia debe ser nombrado o establecido dentro
de los límites del mismo.
Sección 15. Que ningún gobierno libre, o
con las bendiciones de la libertad, puede ser preservado por ningún pueblo, salvo
aquel con una firme adhesión a la justicia, la moderación, la templanza, la frugalidad,
la virtud y con una observación frecuente a los principios fundamentales.
Sección 16. Que la religión, o las
obligaciones que le debemos a nuestro Creador, y la manera de cumplirlas, sólo
pueden estar dirigidas por la razón y la convicción, no por la fuerza o la
violencia; y por lo tanto todos los hombres tienen igual derecho al libre
ejercicio de la religión, según los dictados de su conciencia; y que es deber
mutuo de todos el practicar la indulgencia cristiana, el amor y la caridad
hacia los demás.
Escrito por George Mason, y adoptado por
la Convención Constitucional de Virginia el 12 de junio de 1776.
RESOLUCIÓN LEE (adoptada el 2 de julio de 1776 en el Segundo Congreso Continental)
Se resuelve: Que estas Colonias Unidas son, y deben serlo por derecho, Estados libres e independientes, que estén libres de toda lealtad a la Corona Británica, y que toda conexión política entre ellas y el Estado de Gran Bretaña es y debe ser totalmente disuelta.
Que es conveniente inmediatamente tomar las medidas más eficaces para la formación de alianzas extranjeras.
Que se prepare y transmita un plan de confederación a las respectivas colonias para su consideración y aprobación.
The Virginia Declaration of Rights
[Final Draft,12 June 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.
Article 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.
Article 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.
Article 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, 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.
Article 4 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.
Article 5 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.
Article 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, assented, for the public good.
Article 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.
Article 8 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.
Article 9 That excessive bail ought not to be required, nor excessive fines imposed; nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Article 10 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.
Article 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.
Article 12 That the freedom of the press is one of the greatest bulwarks of liberty and can never be restrained but by despotic governments.
Article 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 be governed by, the civil power.
Article 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.
Article 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.
Article 16 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.
Adopted unanimously June 12, 1776
Virginia Convention of Delegates
Lee Resolution (1776)
Resolved, That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.
That it is expedient forthwith to take the most effectual measures for forming foreign Alliances.
That a plan of confederation be prepared and transmitted to the respective Colonies for their consideration and approbation.
RESOLUCIÓN LEE (adoptada el 2 de julio de 1776 en el Segundo Congreso Continental)
Que es conveniente inmediatamente tomar las medidas más eficaces para la formación de alianzas extranjeras.
Que se prepare y transmita un plan de confederación a las respectivas colonias para su consideración y aprobación.
Original
[Final Draft,12 June 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.
Article 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.
Article 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.
Article 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, 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.
Article 4 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.
Article 5 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.
Article 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, assented, for the public good.
Article 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.
Article 8 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.
Article 9 That excessive bail ought not to be required, nor excessive fines imposed; nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Article 10 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.
Article 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.
Article 12 That the freedom of the press is one of the greatest bulwarks of liberty and can never be restrained but by despotic governments.
Article 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 be governed by, the civil power.
Article 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.
Article 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.
Article 16 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.
Adopted unanimously June 12, 1776
Virginia Convention of Delegates
Resolved, That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.
That it is expedient forthwith to take the most effectual measures for forming foreign Alliances.
That a plan of confederation be prepared and transmitted to the respective Colonies for their consideration and approbation.
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