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Act of the State of Virginia adopting the Federal Constitution, passed the 26th day of June, 1788,
We, the delegates of the people of Virginia, duly elected in the pursuance of a recommendation from the General Assembly,
and now met in Convention, having fully and freely investigated and discussed the proceedings of the Federal Convention,
and being prepared as well as most mature deliberation hath enabled us, to decide thereon, DO, in their name and in behalf
of the people of Virginia, declare and make known, that the powers granted under the Constitution, being derived from the
people of the United States, may be resumed by them, whenever the same shall be perverted to their injury or oppression;
and that every power not granted thereby remains with them, and at their will. That therefore no right of any denomination can be
cancelled, abridged, restrained or modified by congress, by the Senate or House of Representatives, acting in any capacity by the
President or any department or officer of the United States, except in those instances in which power is given by the Constitution
for those purposes; and that among other essential rights, the liberty of conscience and of the press cannot be cancelled, abridged,
restrained or modified by any authority of the United States [emphasis added].
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