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Declaration
of Rights.
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support and fidelity to this state, and such oath of office, as shall
be directed by this convention or the legislature of this state,
and a declaration of a belief in the Christian religion.
36. That the manner of administering an oath to any person
ought to be such as those of the religious persuasion, profession,
or denomination, of which such person is one, generally esteem
the most effectual confirmation by the attestation of the Divine
Being; and that the people called quakers, those called tunkers,
and those called menonists, holding it unlawful to take an oath
on any occasion, ought to be allowed to make their solemn
affirmation in the manner that quakers have been heretofore
allowed to affirm, and to be of the same avail as an oath, in all
such cases as the affirmation of quakers hath been allowed and
accepted within this state instead of an oath. And further, on
such affirmation, warrants to search for stolen goods, or the ap-
prehension or commitment of offenders, ought to be granted, or
security for the peace awarded, and quakers, tunkers, or meno-
nists, ought also, on their solemn affirmation as aforesaid, to be
admitted as witnesses in all criminal cases.*
37. That the city of Annapolis ought to have all its rights,
privileges and benefits, agreeable to its charter and the acts of
assembly confirming and regulating the same ; subject, never-
theless, to such alterations as may be made by this convention
or any future legislature.
38. That the liberty of the press ought to be inviolably pre-
served.
39. That monopolies are odious, contrary to the spirit of a
free government, and the principles of commerce, and ought not
to be suffered.
40. That no title of nobility, or hereditary honours, ought to
be granted in this state.
4i. That the subsisting resolves of this and the several con-
ventions held for this colony, ought to be in force as laws, unless
altered by this convention, or the legislature of this state.
42. That this declaration of rights, or the form of govern-
ment to be established by this convention, or any part of either
of them, ought not to be altered, changed, or abolished by the
legislature of this state, but in such manner as this convention
shall prescribe and direct.
*Constitution, see 1797, ch. US, and other 'Constitutional amendments/
for the enlagement and modification of this principle.
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