Dialnet LaDeclaracionDeDerechosDeVirginia12DeJunioDe1776 2062239

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LA DECLARACION DE DERECHOS DE VIRGINIA
(12 de junio de 1776)
-INDICE: Texto: A) Original inglés . B) Traducción castellana .-Comentario .

TEXTO : A) Original inglés.
A Declaration of Rights

Made by the Representatives of the good People of Virginia, assembled in full. andfree Convention, which rights do pertain to them and
their posterity as the basis and foundation of government.
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
,andpossessing 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 formsof 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 a 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 asshall be judged most conducive to the public weal.
IV. That no man, or set of men, are entitled to exclusive or sepa-,
rate emoluments or privileges from the community but in consideration

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RESTITUTO SIERRA BRAVO

of public services, which not being descendible, neitherought the offices of magistrate, legislator or judge to be hereditary.
V. That the legislative, executive and judicial powers should be
separate and distinct ; and that the members thereof may be restrained
from oppression, by feeling and participating the burthens of people,
they should, at fixed periods, be reduced to a private station, return
into that body from which they were originallytaken, 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 all elections 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, ordeprived 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 representatives of the people, is.
injurious to their rights, and ought not 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 favour, 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, excep by the law of the land or the judgment
of his peers.
IX. That excessive bail ought not be required, nor excessive fines
imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
X. That general warrants, whereby and officer or messenger may
be commended to search suspected places without evidence of a fact
committed, or to seize any person or persons not...