one of our former laws, wherein, nevertheless, the Crown of Great Britain never can be considered as holding rights, privileges, or authorities therein.
IV. Resolved: That all, each, and every Military Officer in this country is hereby reinstated in his former command and authority, he acting conformably to their regulations, and that every Member present of this Delegation, shall henceforth be a Civil Officer, viz: a Justice of the Peace, in the character of a Committee Man, to issue process, hear and determine all matters of controversy, according to said adopted laws, and to preserve Peace, Union, and Harmony in said county, to use every exertion to spread the Love of Country and Fire of Freedom throughout America, until a more general and organized government be established in this Province.
John McKnitt Alexander, Secretary.
a declaration of rights, &c.
I. That all political power is vested in and derived from the people only.
II. That the people of this State ought to have the sole and exclusive right of regulating the internal government and police thereof.
III. 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.
IV. That the legislative, executive, and supreme judicial powers of government, ought to be forever separate and distinct from each other.
V. That all powers 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.
VI. That elections of members, to serve as Representatives in General Assembly, ought to be free.
VII. That, in all criminal prosecutions, every man has a right to be informed of the accusation against him, and to confront the accusers and witnesses with other testimony, and shall not be compelled to give evidence against himself.
VIII. That no freeman shall be put to answer any criminal charge, but by indictment, presentment, or impeachment.
IX. That no freeman shall be convicted of any crime, but by the unanimous verdict of a jury of good and lawful men, in open court, as heretofore used.
- ↑ Verified from "The Proceedings and Debates of the Convention of North-Carolina, called to amend the Constitution of the State, which assembled at Raleigh, June 4, 1835. To which are subjoined the Convention act and the Amendments to the Constitution together with the votes of the People. Raleigh: Printed by Joseph Gales and Son, 1836." Appendix, pp. 409-24.
- ↑ This constitution was framed by a "Congress," "elected and chosen for that particular purpose," which assembled at Halifax November 12, 1770, and completed its labors December 18, 1776. It was not submitted to the people for ratification.
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