Commentaries on the Constitution, which are already before the Public. And one of the advantages, which it possesses, is, that the reader will find every one of the topics here discussed, examined almost in the same order, far more completely in those Commentaries, if his curiosity or his leisure shall prompt him to more thorough researches. I have endeavored, as far as practicable, to make the remarks intelligible to every class of readers, by embodying them in plain and unambitious language, so as to give the Work a just claim to the title of being “A Familiar Exposition of the Constitution of the United States."

If it shall tend to awaken in the bosoms of American Youth, a more warm and devoted attachment to the National Union, and a more deep and firm love of the National Constitution, it will afford me very sincere gratification, and be an ample compensation for the time, which has necessarily been withdrawn from my other pressing avocations, in order to prepare

it. An Appendix has been added, containing some important public Documents, which may serve to confirm or illustrate the Text.

With these few suggestions, I submit the Work to the indulgent consideration of the Public, adopting the expressive motto of the poet,

“ Content, if here th' unlearned their wants may view,
The learned reflect on what before they knew."

JOSEPH STORY. Cambridge, January 1, 1840.

Page

3

5

11

17

22

26

DEDICATION,
PREFACE,

CHAPTER I.
History of the Colonies,

CHAPTER II.
Colonial Governments,

CHAPTER III.
Origin of the Revolution,

CHAPTER IV.
Revolutionary Government, .

CHAPTER V.
History of the Confederation,

CHAPTER VI.
Origin of the Constitution,

CHAPTER VII.
Exposition of the Constitution. The Preamble,

CHAPTER VIII.
Distribution of Powers.- The Legislative Depart-
ment,

CHAPTER IX.
The House of Representatives,

28

33

36

46

50

CHAPTER X.

The Senate,

64

CHAPTER XI.

76

89

90

96

101

107

Impeachments,

CHAPTER XII.
Elections, and Meetings of Congress,

CHAPTER XIII.
Powers and Privileges of both Houses,

CHAPTER XIV.
Mode of Passing Laws,

CHAPTER XV.
Powers of Congress.—Taxation,

CHAPTER XVI.
Power to borrow Money and regulate Commerce,

CHAPTER XVII.
Naturalization, Bankruptcy, and Coinage of Mon-
ey,

CHAPTER XVIII.
Post Office and Post Roads.-Patents for Inven-
tions,

CHAPTER XIX.
Punishment of Piracies and Felonies.-Declaration
of War,

CHAPTER XX.
Power as to Army and Navy,

CHAPTER XXI.
Power over Militia,

CHAPTER XXII.
Seat of Government, and other Ceded Places, ..

CHAPTER XXIII.
General Power to make Necessary and Proper
Laws,

CHAPTER XXIV.
Punishment of Treason.-State Records,

131

134

CHAPTER XXV.
Admission of New States.-Government of Territo-

ries,

137

146

158

Prohibitions on the States,

CHAPTER XXVIII.
The Executive Department, ·

CHAPTER XXIX.
Powers and Duties of the President,

CHAPTER XXX.
The Judicial Department,

CHAPTER XXXI.
Powers and Jurisdiction of the Judiciary,

170

179

186

CHAPTER XXXII.
Trial by Jury, and its Incidents. -Definition of

Treason,

228

242

CHAPTER XXXIII.
Privileges of Citizens.-Fugitive Criminals and
Slaves,

CHAPTER XXXIV.
Guaranty of Republican Government.--Mode of

making Amendments,

244
248

CHAPTER XXXV.
Public Debt.-_Supremacy of the Constitution and
Laws,

CHAPTER XXXVI.
Oath of Office.-Religious Test.---Ratification of
the Constitution, .

CHAPTER XXXVII.
Amendments to the Constitution,

CHAPTER XXXVIII.
Concluding Remarks,

251

254

267

APPENDIX.

271

275

279

289

DECLARATION OF Rights BY THE CONTINENTAL

CONGRESS, 1774,
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE,
ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION,
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES,
WASHINGTON's FAREWELL ADDRESS,
DEFINITIVE TREATY OF PEACE BETWEEN THE UNI-

TED STATES OF AMERICA AND HIS BRITANNIC

MAJESTY,
AN ORDINANCE FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE TER-

RITORY OF THE UNITED STATES, NORTHWEST OF
THE RIVER OHIO,

306

324

329

339

GLOSSARY,
INDEX,

351