VT Const., Article 1

- That all persons are born equally free and independent , and have certain natural , inherent, and unalienable rights , amongst which are the Life, liberty, enjoying and defending life and liberty, acquiring, possessing and protecting property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety ; therefore no person born in this country, or brought from over sea, ought to be holden by law, to serve any person as a servant , slave or apprentice, after arriving to the age of twenty-one years, unless bound by the person's own consent, after arriving to such age, or bound by law for the payment of debts , damages , fines , costs, or the like.