The Virginia Documents

CHARTERS OF VIRGINIA COMPANY OF LONDON “JAMES, by the Grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c. WHEREAS our loving and well-disposed Subjects…make Habitation, Plantation, and to deduce a colony of sundry of our People into that part of America commonly called VIRGINIA…And we do also ordain, establish, and agree… that each of the said Colonies shall have a Council, which shall govern…according to such Laws, Ordinances, and Instructions, as shall be, in that behalf, given and signed with Our Hand or Sign Manual, and pass under the Privy Seal of our Realm of England; Each of which Councils shall consist of thirteen Persons, to be ordained, made, and removed, from time to time, according as shall be directed and comprised in the same instructions…” 1607

CHARTERS OF VIRGINIA COMPANY OF LONDON 1607 Guaranteed rights of Englishmen to colonists.

VIRGINIA DECLARATION OF RIGHTS 1776 George Mason

VIRGINIA DECLARATION OF RIGHTS IX That excessive bail ought not to be required, nor excessive fines imposed; nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. 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. XVI …all men are equally entitled to the free exercise of religion, according to the dictates of conscience; 1776 George Mason

Served as a model for the Bill of Rights of the Constitution of the United States of America. VIRGINIA DECLARATION OF RIGHTS 1776

“[N]o man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, place, or ministry whatsoever, nor shall be enforced, restrained, molested, or burthened in his body or goods, nor shall otherwise suffer, on account of his religious opinions or belief; but that all men shall be free to profess, and by argument to maintain, their opinions in matters of religion, and that the same shall in no wise diminish, enlarge, or affect their civil capacities.” -- Thomas Jefferson VIRGINIA STATUTE OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM 1786 Thomas Jefferson

Established the freedom of religious beliefs and opinions. VIRGINIA STATUTE OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM 1786