Declaration of Rights. 15

one of said departments, shall assume or discharge the
duties of any other.

10 Md. 478.
15 Md.376.

Art. 9. 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.

Suspension of
Laws.

Art. 10. That freedom of speech and debate or pro-
ceedings in the Legislature, ought not to be impeached in
any court of judicature.

Freedom of
Speech.

Art. 11. That Annapolis be the place for the meeting
of the Legislature; and the Legislature ought not to be
convened or held at any other place but from evident
necessity.

Seat of Govern-
ment.

Art. 12. That for the redress of grievances, and for
amending, strengthening and preserving the laws, the Legis-
lature ought to be frequently convened.

Meeting of Legis-
lature.

Art. 13. That every man hath a right to petition the
Legislature for the redress of grievances in a peaceable
and orderly manner.

Right of Petition.

Art. 14. That no aid, charge, tax, burthen, or fees,
ought to be rated or levied, under any pretence, without
the consent of the Legislature.

Levying of Taxes.

Art. 15. That the levying of taxes by the poll is griev-
ous and oppressive, and ought to be prohibited; that

Poll Taxes oppres-
sive.

paupers ought not to be assessed for the support of the
Government, but every other person in the State, or person
holding property therein, ought to contribute his proportion

Paupers not to be
taxed.

of public taxes, for the support of 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.

Taxation accord-
ing to actual
worth.
Fines, &c.

7 Md. 1.
18 Md. l.
18 Md. 451.

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.

Sanguinary Laws.

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

Retrospective
Laws.

8 Md. 551.
10 Md. 129.