accommodation of large districts of people, un- most valuable laws, and altering fundamentally less those people would relinquish the right of the forms of our governments; representation in the legislature; a right inesti- For suspending our own legislatures, and mable to them, and formidable to tyrants only. declaring themselves invested with power to He has called together legislative bodies at legislate for us in all cases whatsoever. He has abdicated government here, by deplaces unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public records, for the claring us out of his protection, and waging sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance war against us. with his measures.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the He has dissolved representative houses re-lives of our people. peatedly, for opposing, with manly firmness, his invasions on the rights of the people.

solutions, to cause others to be elected; where

He is, at this time, transporting large armies

He has refused, for a long time after such dis of foreign mercenaries to complete the work of death, desolation, and tyranny, already beby the legislative powers, incapable of annihi-gun, with circumstances of cruelty and perfidy lation, have returned to the people at large for scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the head of a civilized their exercise; the State remaining, in the nation. mean time, exposed to all the dangers of invaHe has constrained our fellow citizens, taken sion from without, and convulsions within. captive on the high seas, to bear arms against He has endeavored to prevent the population their country, to become the executioners of of these States; for that purpose, obstructing their friends and brethren, or to fall themselves the laws for naturalization of foreigners; refusby their hand. ing to pass others to encourage their migration hither, and raising the conditions of new appropriations of lands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian

He has obstructed the administration of justice, by refusing his assent to laws for estab-savages, whose known rule of warfare is an lishing judiciary powers.

He has made judges dependent on his will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither swarms of officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in time of peace, standing armies, without the consent of our legislatures.

undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes, and conditions.

In every stage of these oppressions, we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms. Our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have we been wanting in attentions to He has affected to render the military inde- our British brethren. We have warned them, from time to time, of attempts by their legislapendent of, and superior to, the civil power. He has combined, with others, to subject usture, to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction We have reminded them of the cirto a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution and over us. unacknowledged by our laws; giving his as- cumstances of our emigration, and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice sent to their acts of pretended legislation: For quartering large bodies of armed troops and magnanimity, and we have conjured them, by the ties of our common kindred, to disaFor protecting them, by a mock trial, from vow these usurpations, which would inevitapunishment, for any murders which they should bly interrupt our connexions and correspondence. They, too, have been deaf to the voice commit on the inhabitants of these States;

among us;

the world;

For cutting off our trade with all parts of of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, enemies in war,

For imposing taxes on us without our consent; For depriving us, in many cases, of the ben- in peace friends. efits of trial by jury;

We, therefore, the representatives of the UniFor transporting us beyond the seas to be ted States of America, in General Congress tried for pretended offences; assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge For abolishing the free system of English of the World for the rectitude of our intenlaws in a neighboring Province, establishing tions, do, in the name, and by the authority, of therein an arbitrary government, and enlarging the good people of these Colonies, soleninly its boundaries, so as to render it at once an ex- publish and declare, That these United Colample and fit instrument for introducing the onies are, and of right ought to be, FREE same absolute rule into these Colonies; AND INDEPENDENT STATES; that they For taking away our charters, abolishing our' are absolved from all allegiance to the British

crown, and that all political connexion between facts and things which independent States them and the State of Great Britain, is, and may of right do. And, for the support of this? ought to be, totally dissolved; and that, as Declaration, with a firm reliance on the proFree and Independent States, they have full tection of Divine Providence, we mutually power to levy war, conclude peace, contract al- pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and liances, establish commerce, and to do all other our sacred honor.

The foregoing Declaration was, by order of Congress, engrossed, and signed by the following members: JOHN HANCOCK.

WE, the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution of the United States of America:

ARTICLE I.-CONGRESS.
SECTION 1.-Legislative Powers.

1. ALL Legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.

presentative and until such enumeration shall be made, the State of New-Hampshire shall be entitled to choose three, Massachusetts eight, Rhode Island? and Providence Plantations one, Connecticut five, New-York six, New-Jersey four, Pennsylvania jeight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten, North Carolina five, South Carolina five, and Geor1. The House of Representatives shall be composed gia three. 4. When vacancies happen in the representation of members chosen every second year by the people from any State, the Executive authority thereof shall of the several States, and the Electors in each State issue writs of election. shall have the qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous branch of the State Legislature.

SECTION II.-House of Representatives.

Qualification of Members-Apportionment. 2. No person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the age of twenty-five years, and been seven years a citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen.

5. The House of Representatives shall choose their Speaker and other officers, and shall have the sole power of impeachment.

SECTION III.-Senate.

1. The Senate of the United State shall be composed of two Senators from each State, chosen by the Legis. 3. Representatives and direct taxes shall be appor-lature thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall tioned among the several States which may be inclu- have one vote.

ded within this Union, accolding to their respective 2. Immediately after they shall be assembled in connumbers, which shall be determined by adding to the sequence of the first Election, they shall be diviwhole number of free persons, including those bound den as equally as may be into three classes. The sents to service for a term of years, and excluding Indians of the Senators of the first class shall be vacated at the not taxed, three-fifths of all other persons. The actual expiration of the second year, of the second class at) enumeration shall be made within three years after the the expiration of the fourth year, and of the third class. first meeting of the Congress of the United States, and at the expiration of the sixth year, so that one third within every subsequent term of ten years, in such may be chosen every second year; and if vacancies manner as they shall by law direct. The number of happen by resignation, or otherwise, during the recess Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty of the Legislature of any State, the Executive therethousand, but each State shall have at least one Re-lof may make temporary appointments, until the next

vacancies.

meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fill such | Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it be come a law, be presented to the President of the Uni3. No person shall be a Senator who shall not have ted States; if he approve he shall sign it, but if not, he attained to the age of thirty years, and been nine shall return it, with his objections, to that House in years a citizen of the United States, and who shall which it shall have originated, who shall enter the obnot, when elected, be an inhabitant of that State for jections at large on their journal, and proceed to reconwhich he shall be chosen. sider it. If, after such recons deration, two-thirds of

4. The Vice-Presi tent of the United States shall that House shall agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, he President of the Seante. but shall have no vote un-together with the objections, to the other House, by less they be equally divided. which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approv

5. The Senate shail choose their own own officers, ed by two-thirds of that House, it shall become a law, and also a President protempore, in the absence of the But in all such cases the votes of both Houses shall be Vice President, or when he shall exercise the office of determined by yeas and nays, and the names of the President of the United States. persons voting for and against the bill shall be entered

6. The Senate shall have the sole power to try all on the journal of each House respectively. If any bill impeachments; when sitting for that purpose, they shall not be returned by the President within ten days shall be on oath or affirmation. When the President (Sundays excepted] after it shall have been presented of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall to him, the same shall be a law, in like manner as if he preside; and no person shall be convicted without had signed it, unless the Congress by their adjournthe concurrence of two-thirds of the members present.nent prevent its return, in which case it shall not 7. Judgment in cases of impeachment shall not ex. be a law. tend farther than to removal from office, and disqua 3. Every crder, resolution or vote, to which the conlification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust currence of the Senate and House of Representatives or profit under the United States; but the party con- may be necessary. (except on a question of adjourn. victed shall nevertheless be liable and subject to in- ment,) shall be presented to the Pres dent of the Unidictment, trial, judgment and punishment, according ted States; and before the same shall take effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two-thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the rules and limitations prescribed in the case of a bill.

to law.

1

SECTION IV.-Election of Members.

SECTION VIII.-Powers of Congress.

1. The times, places and manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by law make or alter 1. The Congress shall have power to lay and colsuch regalations, except as to the places of choosing Senators.

2. The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall by law appoint a different day.

SECTION V.-Powers of each Hoase.

1. Each House shall be the judge of the elections, re urns and qual fications of its own members, and a majority of each shall constitute a quorum to do business: but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the attendance of absent members, in such manuer, and under such penalties, as each House may provide.

lect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the
debts and provide for the common defence and general
welfare of the United States: but all dut es, imposts
and excises, shall be uniform throughout the United
States.
2. To borrow money on the credit of the United
States;

3. To regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the several States, and with the Indian tribes: 4. To establish a uniform rule of naturalization, and uniform laws on the subject of bankruptcies throughout the United States:

5. To coin money, regulate the value thereof, and of foreign coin, and fix the standard of weights and

measures:

2. Each House may determine the rules of its pro- 6 To provide for the punishment of counterfeiting ceedings, punish its members for disorderly behavior, the securities and current coin of the United States; and, with the concurrence of two-thirds, expel a member.

:

3. Each House shall keep a journal of its proceed. ings, and from time to time publish the same, except such parts as may in their judgment require secrecy and the yeas and nays of the members of either House on any question shail, at the desire of one-fifth of those present, be entered on the journal.

4. Neither House, during the session of Congress, shall, without the consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.

7. To establish post offices and post roads;

8. To promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for limited times to authors and nventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries;

9. To constitute tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court; 10 To define and punish piracies and felonies committed on the high seas, and offences against the law offnations: 11. To declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules concerning captures on land and water;

12. To raise and support armies, but no appropriation of money to that use shall be for a longer term than two years;

13. To provide and maintain a navy:

SECTION VI.-Compensation, Privileges, &c. 1. The Senators and Representatives shall receive a compensation for their services, to be ascertained by law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States. They shall in all cases, except treason, felony and breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest during their attendance at the session of their respective 15. To prov de for calling forth the militia to exeHouses, and in going to and returning from the same; cute the laws of the Union, suppress insurrections and and for any speech or debate in either House, they repel invasions; shall not be questioned in any other place.

14. To make rules for the government and regulation of the lacd and naval forces;

16. To provide for organizing, arming and disciplin2. No Senator or Representative shall, during the ing the militia, and for govern ng such part of them time for which he was elected, be appointed to any as may be employed in the service of the Un ted States, civil office under the authority of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the appointment of which shall have been created or the emoluments whereof shall have been increased during such time: and no person holding any office under the United States shall be a member of either House during his continuance in office.

the officers and the authority of training the militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress; 17. To exercise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever, over such district (not exceed ng ten miles square) as may, by cession of particular States and the acceptance by Congress, become the seat of SECTION VII.-Bills and Resolutions, &c. the government of the United States, and to exercise 1. All bills for raising revenue shall originate in like authority over all places purchased by the conthe House of Representatives; but the Senate may sent of the Legislature of the State in which the same) propose, or concur with amendments, as on other bills, shall be, for the erection of forts, magazines, arsenals, 2. Every bill which shall have passed the House of dock yards, and other needful buildings:-And,

18. To make all laws which shall be necessary and ed, to the seat of the government of the United States, proper for carrying into execution the foregoing pow-directed to the President of the Senate; the President ers, and all powers vested by this Constitution in the of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and government of the United States, or in any department House of Representatives, open all the certificates, and or officer thereof. the votes shall then be counted. The person having the greatest number of votes for President, shall be the President, of such number be a majority of the whole

SECTION IX.-Prohibitions and Privileges.

1. The migration or importation of such persons as number of Electors appointed; and if no person have any of the States now existing shall think proper to such majority, then from the persons having the highadmit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior est numbers, not exceeding three, on the list of those to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but voted for as President, the House of Representatives a tax or duty may be imp. sed on such importation, not shall choose immediately, by hallot, the President.exceeding ten dollars for each person. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken

2. The privilege of the writ of Habeas Corpus shall by States, the representation from each State having not be suspended, unless when in cases of rebellion or one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of invasion the public safety may require it. member or members from two-thirds of the States, and 3. No bill of attainder or ex post facto law shall a majority of all the States shall be necessary to u be passed. choice. And if the House of Representatives shall not 4. No capitation, or other direct tax shall be laid, choose a Pres dent whenever the right of choice shall unless in proportion to the census or enumeration devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March herein before directed to be taken. President, as in case of the death or other constitutionnext following, then the Vice President shall act as al disabil ty of the President.

5. No tax or duty shall be laid on articles exported from any State.

6. No preference shall be given by any regulation 4. The person having the greatest number of votes) of commerce or revenue to the ports of one State over as Vice President, shall be the V ce President; if such those of another; nor shall vessels bound to, or from, number be a majority of the whole number of Electors one State, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay duties in appointed, and if no person have a majority, then from another. the two highest numbers on the 1 st, the Senate shall 7. No money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but choose the Vice President; a quorum for the purpose in consequence of appropriation ma de by law; and a shall consist of two thirds of the whole number of regular statement and account of the receipts and Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall expenditures of all public monsey shall be published be necessary to a cho ce.

from time to time.

5. But no person constitutionally ineligible to the of

8. No title of nobility shall be granted by the United fice of President, shall be eligible to that of Vice Presi States; and no person holding any office of profit or dent.

trust under them, shall, without the consent of the 6. The Congress may determine the time of choosing Congress, accept of any present, emolument, office, or the Electors, and the day on which they shall give title of any kind whatever, from any king, prince, or their votes, which day shall be the same throughout foreign state. the United States.

SECTION X.-State Restrictions, &c.

7. No person,except a natural born citizen, or a citi. of this Const tut on, shall be elig ble to the office of zen of the Un ted States at the time of the adoption President; neither shall any person be eligible to that office who shall not have attained to the age of thirtyfive years, and been fourteen years a resident within the United States.

1. No State shall enter into any treaty, alliance or confederation; grant letters of marque and reprisal coin money; emit bills of credit; make any thing but gold and silver coin a tender in payment of debts; pass any bill of attainder, ex post facto law, or law impair ing the obligation of contracts, or grant any title of nobility. 8. In case of removal of the President from office, or 2. No State shall, without the consent of the Con of his death, res gnution, or inability to discharge the gress, lay any imposts or duties on imports or exports, volve on the Vice President, and the Congress may by powers and dut es of the said office, the same shall deexcept what may be absolutely necessary for execu- law provide for the case of removal, death, resig. ting its inspection laws; and the nett produce of all nation or inability both of the President and Vice Pres duties and imposts, laid by any State on imports and ident, declaring wha officer shall then act as Presi exports, shall be for the use of the Treasury of the dent, and such officer shall act accordingly, until United States; and all such laws shall be subject to the disability be removed, or a President shall be the revision and control of the Congress.

3. No State shall, without the consent of Congress, elected.

lay any duty on tonnage, keep troops, or ships of war his services a compensation, wh ch shall neither be in9. The Pres dent shall, at stated times, receive for in time of peace, enter into any agreement or compact creased nor diminished during the period for which he with another State, or with a foreign power, or en- shall have been elected, and he shall not receive with. gage in war, unless actually invaded, or in such im-in that period any other emolument from the United minent danger as will not admit of delay. States or any of them.

ARTICLE II.-PRESIDENT.

SECTION 1.-Election for President.

10. Before he enters on the execution of his office, he shall take the following oath or affirmation: "I do solemnly swear, (or affirm,) that I will faith.

1. The Executive power shall be vested in a Presi- fully execute the office of President of the United dent of the United States of America. He shall hold States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, his office during the term of four years, and, toge- protect and defend the Constitution of the United ther with the Vice President, chosen for the same States." term, be elected as follows:

2. Each State shall appoint, in such manner as the SECTION II.-Powers of the President. Legislature thereof may direct, a number of Electors, 1. The President shall be commander-in-chief of equal to the whole number of Senators and Represen- the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the tatives to which the State may be entitled in the Con-milit a of the several States, when called into the acgress; but no Senator or Representative, or person tual service of the United States; he may require the holding an office of trust or profit under the United opinion, in writing, of the principal officer in each of States, shall be appointed an Elector. the Executive departments, upon any subject relat ng

3. The Electors shall meet in their respective States to the duties of their respective offices, and he shall and vote by ballot for the President and Vice President, have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenone of whom, at least, shall nst be an inhabitant of ces against the United States, except in cases of imthe same State with themselves: they shall name in peachment.

their ballots the person voted for as President, and 2. He shall have power, by and with the advice in d stinct ballots the person voted for as Vice Pres. and consent of the Senate, to make treaties, provi. ident, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons ded two-thirds of the Senators present concur; and he voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as shall nominate, and by and with the advice and conVice President, and of the number of votes for each, sent of the Senate, shall appoint ambassadors, other which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit,seal public ministers and consuls, Judges of the Supreme

Court, and all other officers of the United States, [to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of whose appointments are not herein otherwise provided every other State. And the Congress may by general for, and which shall be established by law; but the laws prescribe the manner in which such acts, records Congress may by law vest the appointment of such and proceedings shall be proved, and the effect inferior officers as they think proper in the President thereof. alone, in the courts of law, or in the heads of depart.

ments.

3. The President shall have power to fill up, all va cancies that may happen during the recess of the Sen. ate, by granting commissions which shall expire at the end of their nex session.

SECTION III.-Duties of the President.

SECTION II.-Privilege of Citizens.

1. The citizens of each State shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of citizens in the several States. 2. A person charged in any State with treason, felony, or other crime, who shall flee from justice, and be found in another State, shall, on demand of the Executive authority of the State from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the State having ju risdiction of the crime.

1. He shall from time to time give to the Congress information of the state of the Union, and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary 3. No person held to service or labor in one State unCoccasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, der the laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in and, in case of disagreement between them,, with consequence of any law or regulation therein, be disrespect to the time of adjournment, he may adjourn charged from such service or labor, but shall be delivthem to such time as he shall think proper: he shali ered up on claim of the party to whom such service receive ambassadors and other public ministers; he or labor may be due. shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed, and shall commission all the officers of the United States.

SECTION IV.-Impeachment of Officers.

1. The President, Vice President, and all civil officers of the United States, shall be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.

ARTICLE III.-JUDICIARY.
SECTION I. - Courts Judges.

1. The Judicial power of the United States shall be vested in one Supreme Court, and in such inferior courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The Judges, both of the Supreme and inferior courts, shall hold their offices during good behavior, and shall, at stated times, receive for their services, a compensation which shall not be diminished during their continuance in office.

SECTION III-New States.

1. New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new State shall be formed or erected within the jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed by the junction of two or more States, or parts of States, without the consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned, as well as of the Congress.

2. The Congress shall have power to dispose of and make all needful rules and regulations respecting the territory or other property belonging to the United States and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as as to prejudice any claims of the United States, or of any particular State.

SECTION IV.-State Governments-Republican.

1. The United States shall guaranty to every State in this Union a republican form of government, and shall protect each of them against invasion; and on application of the Legislature, or of the Execu tive, (when the Legislature cannot be convened,) against domestic violence.

ARTICLE V.-AMENDMENTS.

SECTION II.-Judicial Powers-Civil-Criminal. 1. The judicial power shall extend to all cases in law and equity, arising under this Constitution, the laws of the United States, and the treaties made, or 1. The Congress, whenever two-thirds of both Houses which shall be made under their authority; to uli cases shall deem it necessary, shall propose amendments to affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and con- this Constitution, or, on the application of the Legis. suls; to all cases of admiralty and maritune jurisdic-latures of two-thirds of the several States, shall call a tion to controversies to which the United States Convention for proposing amendraents, which in either shall be a party; to controversies between two or more case, shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as part States-between a State and citizens of another State of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures -between citizens of different States-between citi of three-fourths of the several States, or by Conven. zens of the same State claiming lands under grants of tions in three-fourths thereof, as the one or the other different States-and between a State, or the citizens mode of ratification may be proposed by the Congress; thereof, and foreign States, citizens or subjects. provided that no amendment which may be made

2. In all cases affecting ambassadors, other public prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and ministers and consuls, and those in which a State shall eight shall in any manner affect the first and fourth be a party, the Supreme Court shall have original juclauses in the ninth section of the first article; and risdiction. In all the other cases before mentioned, that no State, without its consent, shall be deprived of the Supreme Court shall have appellate juris fiction, its equal suffrage in the Senate. both as to law and fact, with such exceptions, and under such regulations, as the Congress shall make. 3. The trial of all crimes, except in cases of impeach1. All deb's contracted and engagements entered ment, shall be by jury; and such trial shall be held in the State where the said crimes shall have been com- into, before the adoption of this Constitution, shall be mitted; but when not committed within any State, the as valid against the United States under this Constution, as under the confederation. trial shall he at such place or places as the Congress may by law have directed.

SECTION III.-Treason.

ARTICLE VI.-DEBTS.

2. This Constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof; and all treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme 1. Treason against the United States, shall consist law of the land; and the Judges in every State shall only in levying war against them, or in adhering to be bound thereby, anything in the constitution or laws their enemies, giving them aid and comfort. No per- of any State to the contrary notwithstanding. son shall be convicted of treason unless on the testimo-1 3. The Senators and Representatives before mentionny of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open court.

2. The Congress shall have power to declare the punishment of treason, but no attainder of trenson shal work corruption of blood, or forfeiture, except during the life of the person attained.

ARTICLE IV.-STATE RIGHTS.
SECTION 1.-Restitution and Privileges.

ed, and the members of the several State Legisla of the United States and of the several States, shall be tures, and all executive and judic al officers both bound by oath or affirmation, to support this Consti tution; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.

ARTICLE VII.-RATIFICATION.

1. Full faith and credit shall be given in each State 1. The ratification of the conventions of nine States,