Rights.

Declaration of Rights. An instrument submitted to William and Mary, on their being called to the throne, setting forth the fundamental principles of the constitution. The chief items are these: The Crown cannot levy taxes, nor keep a standing army in times of peace; the Members of Parliament are free to utter their thoughts, and a Parliament is to be convened every year; elections are to be free, trial by jury is to be inviolate, and the right of petition is not to be interfered with.