10 DECLARATION OF RIGHTS.

Charter of the
State

the charter granted by his Majesty Charles the First, to

Caecilius Calvert, Baron of Baltimore.

Right of Reform.

ART. 4. That all persons invested with the Legislative
or Executive powers of government, are the trustees of the
public, and as such accountable for their conduct; where-
fore, whenever the ends of government are perverted, and
public liberty manifestly endangered, and all other means
of redress are ineffectual, the people may, and of right ought
to reform the old or establish a new government. The
doctrine of non-resistance against arbitrary power and op-
pression is absurd, slavish and destructive of the good and
happiness of mankind

Right of Suffrage.

ART. 5. That the right of the people to participate in
the Legislature is the best security of liberty, and the foun-
dation of all free government; for this purpose elections
ought to be free and frequent, and every free white male
citizen having the qualifications prescribed by the Consti-
tution, ought to have the right of suffrage.

Separation of the
Departments of
Government

ART. 6. That the legislative, executive and judicial pow-
ers of government ought to be forever separate and distinct

2 Md 341.

do 429
10 Md 478.

from each other; and no person exercising the functions of
one of said departments, shall assume or discharge the du-

15 Md. 376

ties of any other.

Suspension of

Laws

ART. 7. That no power of suspending laws, or the exe-
cution of laws, unless by or derived from the Legislature,
ought to be exercised or allowed.

Freedom of
Speech

ART. 8. That freedom of speech and debate or proceed-
ings in the Legislature, ought not to be impeached in any
court of judicature.

Seat of Govern-
ment

ART. 9. That Annapolis be the place for the meeting of
the Legislature; and the Legislature ought not to be con-
vened or held at any other place but from evident necessity.

Meeting of Legis-
lature

ART. 10. That for the redress of grievances, and for
amending, strengthening and preserving the laws, the Legis-
lature ought to be frequently convened.

Right of Petition.

ART. 11. That every man hath a right to petition the
Legislature for the redress of grievances in a peaceable
and orderly manner.

Levying of Taxes.

'ART. 12. That no aid, charge, tax, burthen, or fees,
ought to be rated or levies, under any pretence, without
the consent of the Legislature.

Poll Taxes oppres-
sive.

ART. 13. That the levying of taxes by the poll is grie-
vous and oppressive, and ought to be abolished; that pan-