DECLARATION OF RIGHTS. 27
ART. 11. That Annapolis be the place of meeting of the
Legislature; and the Legislature ought not to be convened
or held at any other place but from evident necessity.
ART. 12. That for redress of grievances, and for amending,
strengthening and preserving the Laws, the Legislature
ought to be frequently convened.
ART. 13. That every man hath a right to petition the
Legislature for the redress of grievances in a peaceable and
orderly manner.
ART. 14. That no aid, charge, tax, burthen or fees ought
to be rated or levied, under any pretense, without the consent
of the Legislature.
ART. 15. That the levying of taxes by the poll is grievous
and oppressive, and ought to be prohibited; that paupers
ought not to be assessed for the support of the Government;
but every person in the State, or person holding property
therein, ought to contribute his proportion of public taxes
for the support of the Government, according to his actual
worth in real or personal property; yet fines, duties or taxes
may properly and justly be imposed or laid, with a political
view for the good government and benefit of the community.
ART. 16. That sanguinary Laws ought to be avoided as
far as it is consistent with the safety of the State; and no
Law to inflict cruel and unusual pains and penalties ought to
be made in any case or at any time hereafter.
ART. 17. That retrospective Laws, punishing acts com-
mitted before the existence of such laws, and by them only
declared criminal, are oppressive, unjust and incompatible
with liberty; wherefore, no ex post facto Law ought to be
made, nor any retrospective oath or restriction be imposed or
required.
ART. 18, That no Law to attaint particular persons of
treason or felony ought to be made in any case or at any
time hereafter.
ART 19. That every man, for any injury done to him in his
person or property, ought to have remedy by the course of
the Law of the Land, and ought to have justice and right
freely without sale, fully without any denial, and speedily
without delay, according to the Law of the Land.
ART. 20. That the trial of facts, where they arise, is one
of the greatest securities of the lives, liberties and estate of
the people.
ART. 21. That in all criminal prosecutions, every man
hath a right to be informed of the accusation against him;.
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