200
America’s First Constitutions and Declarations of Rights
part the first
A Declaration of the Rights of the Inhabitants
of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Art. i. —all men are born free and equal, and have certain natural,
essential, and unalienable rights; among which may be reckoned the
right of enjoying and defending their lives and liberties; that of acquiring, possessing, and protecting property; in fine, that of seeking and obtaining their safety and happiness.
ii.—it is the right as well as the duty of all men in society, publicly,
and at stated seasons, to worship the supreme being, the great creator
and preserver of the universe. And no subject shall be hurt, molested, or
restrained, in his person, liberty, or estate, for worshipping god in the
manner and season most agreeable to the dictates of his own conscience;
or for his religious profession or sentiments; provided he doth not disturb the public peace, or obstruct others in their religious worship.
iii.—as the happiness of a people, and the good order and preservation of civil government, essentially depend upon piety, religion and morality; and as