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THE parliament of Great Britain, by a declaratory act, having
assumed a right to make laws to bind the colonies in all cases
whatsoever, and in pursuance of such claim endeavoured by
force of arms to subjugate the United Colonies to an uncondi-
tional submission to their will and power, and having at length
constrained them to declare themselves independent states, and
to assume government under the authority of the people, There-
fore, We, the Delegates of Maryland, in free and full conven-
tion assembled, taking into our most serious consideration, the
best means of establishing a good constitution in this state, for
the surer foundation, and more permanent security thereof,
declare,
1. That all government of right originates from the people,
is founded in compact only, and instituted solely for the good
of the whole.
2. That the people of this state ought to have the sole and
exclusive right of regulating the internal government and police
thereof.
3. That the inhabitants of Maryland are entitled to the com-
mon law of England, and the trial by jury according to the
course of that law, and to the benefit of such of the English
statutes as existed at the time of their first emigration, and
which by experience have been found applicable to their local
and other circumstances, and of such others as have been since
made in England or Great Britain, and have been introduced,
used, and practised by the courts of law or equity; and also to
all acts of assembly in force on the first of June, 1774, except
such as may have since expired, or have been, or may be
altered by acts of convention, or this declaration of rights;
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Declaration
of Rights.
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