"Sam": or The history of mystery./ By C. W. Webber.

" SAM: " OR, THE ]IISTORY OF MYSTERY.
founded on military process. Before this judicature all suspicious persons were made to appear, who were formally tried,
and banished, or continued under guard. Its jurisdiction was
as unlimited as toryism, and its decrees as final as the confidence and patriotism of the country. Several were arrested
and brought before them from Lincoln, Rowan, and the
adjacent counties.
In addition to this instrument, is another, claimed to be even
of prior date; in which it will be seen that the form which
the final Declaration assumed under the hand of Jefferson,
was very clearly sketched out for him by the sagacious brain
of George Mason. It is the only copy of this singular and
valuable document which we have seen, and we shall, therefore, lay it before the readers of Sam without hesitation, as
it at least demonstrates, in connection with the Mechlenburgh
Resolutions, how general and spontaneous were the sentiments
of the final Declaration. That Jefferson had this document
before him, there can be no shadow of doubt:
DECLARATION OF RIGHTS.
(Copy of the first Draught, by George Mason.)
A declaration of rights, made by the representatives of
the good people of Virginia, assembled in full and free convention; which rights do pertain to them and to their posterity, as the basis and foundation of government.
1. That all men are created equally free and independent,
and have certain inherent natural rights, of which they can
not, by any compact, deprive or divest their posterity.: Among
which are the enjoyment of life and liberty, with the means
of acquiring and possessing property, and pursuing and
obtaining happiness and safety.
2. That all power is, by God and nature, vested in, and
consequently derived from the people; that magistrates are
their trustees and servants, and at all times amenable to
them.
3. That government is, or ought to be, instituted for the
common benefit, protection and security of the people, nation
or community Of all the various modes and forms of
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