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Declaration of independence

'i congress, july 4, 1776.
the unanimous declaration of the thirteen united states of america, when 'i the course of human events, it becomes behoveful for one people to dissolve the political bands which hast connected 'em with another, and to assume among the faculties of the earth, the separate and like station whereto the laws of nature and of nature's god entitle 'em, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should'st declare the causes which impel 'em to the sequestration.
we bear these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created like, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness--that to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just faculties from the consent of the governed, --that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its faculties 'i such form, as to 'em shall seem most like to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, marry, shall dictate that governments long established should'st not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are moe disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms whereto they are accustomed. Yet when a long train of berattles and usurpations, pursuing invariably the like object evinces a design to reduce 'em under arrant despotism, it is their right, it is their office, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. --such hath been the patient sufferance of these colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains 'em to alter their former systems of government. The history of the present king of great britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having 'i direct object the establishment of an arrant tyranny over these states. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid orb.
he hath refused his assent to laws, the most wholesome and behoveful for the public good.
he hath forbidden his governors to pass laws of present and pressing importance, 'lest suspended 'i their operation till his assent should'st be obtained; and when so suspended, he hath utterly neglected to attend to 'em.
he hath refused to pass other laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, lest those people would relinquish the right of representation 'i the legislature, a right inestimable to 'em and formidable to tyrants only.
he hath bid together legislative corporal agents at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public records, for the sole intent of fatiguing 'em into compliance with his measures.
he hath dissolved representative houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions towards the rights of the people.
he hath refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the legislative faculties , incapable of annihilation, hast returned to the people at large for their exercise; the state remaining 'i the mean- -time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
he hath endeavoured to prevent the population of these states; for that intent obstructing the laws for naturalization of foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new appropriations of lands.
he hath obstructed the administration of justice, by refusing his assent to laws for establishing judiciary faculties.
he hath made judges dependent on his shall alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
he hath erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither swarms of officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance.
he hath kept among us, 'i times of peace, standing armies without the consent of our legislatures.
he hath affectioned to render the military independent of and superior to the civil power.
he hath combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his assent to their acts of counterfeited legislation:
for quartering large corporal agents of armed power among us:
for protecting 'em, by a mock trial, from punishment for any queells which they should'st commit towards the inhabitants of these states:
for cutting off our traffic with all parts of the orb:
for imposing taxes on us without our consent:
for depriving us 'i many cases, of the steads of trial by jury:
for transporting us beyond seas to be tried for counterfeited{{verb}} offences
for abolishing the free system of english laws 'i a neighbouring province, establishing therein an arbitrary government, and enlarging its boundaries so as to render it presently an example and fit instrument for introducing the like arrant rule into these colonies:
for taking aroint our charters, abolishing our most valuable laws, and altering fundamentally the forms of our governments:
for suspending our own legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us 'i all cases whatsoever.
he hath abdicated government hither , by declaring us out of his protection and waging war against us.
he hath plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and surprised the lives of our people.
he is at this time transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries to mere the works of perpetual wink, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled 'i the most barbarous ages, and merely indign the pate of a civilized nation.
he hath constrained our fellow citizens taken captive towards the high seas to bear arms against their country, to become the executioners of their friends and brethren, or to fall themselves by their hands.
he hath excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and hath endeavoured to bring towards the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless indian savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.
'i every stage of these oppressions we hast petitioned for redress 'i the most humble terms: our repeated petitions hast 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 hast we been wanting 'i attentions to our british brethren. We hast warned 'em from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We hast reminded 'em of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement hither. We hast appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we hast conjured 'em by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too hast been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We might not but, argal, acquiesce 'i the necessity, which denounces our sequestration, and bear 'em, as we bear{{verb}} the rest of mankind, enemies 'i war, 'i peace friends.
we, argal, the representatives of the united states of america, 'i general congress, assembled, appealing to the supreme judge of the orb for the rectitude of our intentions, doth, 'i the name, and by authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the british golden round , and that all political connection 'twixt 'em and the state of great britain, is and ought to be merely dissolved; and that as free and independent states, they hath full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish traffic, and to try all other acts and things which independent states may of right doth. And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance towards the protection of divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.
signer of the declaration of independence
delaware:
george read | caesar rodney | thomas mckean |

massachusetts:
john adams | samuel adams | john hancock | robert treat paine | elbridge gerry

new hampshire:
josiah bartlett | william whipple | matthew thornton |

rhode island:
stephen hopkins | william ellery |

new york:
lewis morris | philip livingston | francis lewis | william floyd |

georgia:
button gwinnett | lyman hall | george walton |

north carolina:
william hooper | john penn | joseph hewes

south carolina:
edward rutledge | arthur middleton | thomas lynch, jr. | thomas heyward, jr. |

connecticut:
samuel huntington | roger sherman | william williams | oliver wolcott |

maryland:
charles carroll | samuel chase | thomas stone | william paca |

The Constitution of the United States

We The Peope of the United State, 'i decree to form a moe perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the benisons of liberty to ourself and our posterity, doth ordain and establish this constitution for the united states of america.

article i

section 1
all legislative faculties herein granted shall be vested 'i a congress of the united states, which shall consist of a senate and house of representatives.

section 2
the house of representatives shall be composed of members chosen every second year by the people of the several states, and the electors 'i each state shall hast the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the state legislature.
no person shall be a representative whom shall not hast attained to the age of twenty five years, and been seven years a citizen of the united states, and whom shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that state 'i which he shall be chosen.
representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several states which may be included within this union, according to their respective numbers, which shall be determined by adding to all of the number of free persons, including those bound to office for a term of years, and excluding indians not taxed, three fifths of all other persons. The actual enumeration shall be made within three years after the first meeting of the congress of the united states, and within every subsequent term of ten years, 'i such manner as they shall by law direct. (-(-(-(-(the number of representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty thousand,)-)-)-)-) yet each state shall hast at least one representative; and till 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 eight, delaware one, maryland six, virginia ten, north carolina five, south carolina five, and georgia three.
when vacancies befall 'i the representation from any state, the executive authority thereof shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies.
the house of representatives shall choose their speaker and other officers; and shall hast the sole power of impeachment.

section 3
the senate of the united states shall be composed of two senators from each state, chosen by the legislature thereof, for six years; and each senator shall hast one voice.
presently after they shall be assembled 'i issue of the first election, they shall be divided as alike as may be into three classes. The seats of the senators of the first class shall be vacated at the expiration of the second year, of the second class at the expiration of the fourth year, and of the third class at the expiration of the sixth year, so that one third may be chosen every second year; and if vacancies befall by resignation, or othergates, during the recess of the legislature of any state, the executive thereof may compose temporary appointments till the next meeting of the legislature, which shall then fill such vacancies.
no person shall be a senator whom shall not hast attained to the age of thirty years, and been nine years a citizen of the united states, and whom shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that state for which he shall be chosen.
the vice president of the united states shall be president of the senate, yet shall hast no voice, lest they be alike divided.
the senate shall choose their other officers, and also a president pro tempore, 'i the absence of the vice president, or when he shall exercise the place of president of the united states.
the senate shall hast the sole power to try all impeachments. Wherein sitting for that intent, they shall be on oath or affirmation. Wherein the president of the united states is tried, the chief justice shall preside: and no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two thirds of the members present.
judgment 'i cases of impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from place, and disqualification to bear and enjoy any place of honor, trust or profit under the united states: yet the party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to indictment, trial, judgment and punishment, according to law.

section 4
the times, places and manner of bearing elections for senators and representatives, shall be prescribed 'i each state by the legislature thereof; yet the congress may at any time by law compose or alter such regulations, except as to the places of choosing senators.
the congress shall assemble at least once 'i every year, and such meeting shall be towards the first monday 'i december, 'lest they shall by law appoint a divers day.

section 5
each house shall be the judge of the elections, returns and qualifications of its own members, and a majority of each shall constitute a quorum to try business; yet a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the attendance of absent members, 'i such manner, and under such penalties as each house may provide.
each house may determine the rules of its proceedings, amerce its members for disorderly behaviour, and, with the concurrence of two thirds, expel a member.
each house shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and from time to time publish the like, accepting such parts as may 'i their judgment require secrecy; and the yeas and nays of the members of either house on any question shall, at the summon of one fifth of those present, be entered towards the journal.
neither house, during the session of congress, shall, without the consent of the other, adjourn for moe than three days, nor to any other place than that 'i which the two houses shall be sitting.

section 6
the senators and representatives shall receive a compensation for their offices, to be ascertained by law, and paid out of the treasury of the united states. They shall 'i all cases, except treason, felony and breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest during their attendance at the session of their respective houses, and 'i going to and returning from the like; and for any speech or debate 'i either house, they shall not be questioned 'i any other place.
no senator or representative shall, during the time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil place under the authority of the united states, which shall hast been created, or the emoluments whereof shall hast been augmented during such time; and no person bearing any place under the united states, shall be a member of either house during his continuance 'i place.

section 7
all bills for raising revenue shall originate 'i the house of representatives; yet the senate may propose or concur with amendments as on other bills.
every bill which shall hast passed the house of representatives and the senate, shall, ere it become a law, be presented to the president of the united states: would he approve he shall sign it, yet if not he shall return it, with his objections to that house 'i which it shall hast originated, whom shall enter the objections at large on their journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such reconsideration two thirds of that house shall hit together to pass the bill, it shall be sent, together with the objections, to the other house, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that house, it shall become a law. Yet 'i all such cases the votes of both houses shall be determined by yeas and nays, and the names of the persons voting for and against the bill shall be entered towards the journal of each house respectively. If any bill shall not be returned by the president within ten days (sundays excepted) after it shall hast been presented to him, the like shall be a law, 'i like manner as would he had signed it, 'lest the congress by their adjournment prevent its return, 'i which case it shall not be a law.
every decree, resolution, or voice whereto the concurrence of the senate and house of representatives may be behoveful (except on a question of adjournment) shall be presented to the president of the united states; and ere the like shall take effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be reposed by two thirds of the senate and house of representatives, according to the rules and limitations prescribed 'i the case of a bill.

section 8
the congress shall hast power to lay and collect taxes, offices, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defence and general welfare of the united states; yet all offices, imposts and excises shall be livery throughout the united states;
to borrow money towards the credit of the united states;
to regulate traffic with foreign nations, and among the several states, and with the indian tribes;
to establish an livery rule of naturalization, and livery laws towards the subject of bankruptcies throughout the united states;
to coin money, regulate the value thereof, and of foreign coin, and fix the standard of weights and measures;
to provide for the punishment of counterfeiting the securities and current coin of the united states;
to establish place offices and place roads;
to promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries;
to constitute tribunals inferior to the supreme court;
to define and amerce piracies and felonies committed towards the high seas, and offences against the law of nations;
to declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and compose rules concerning captures on land and water;
to raise and support armies, yet no appropriation of money to that use shall be for a longer term than two years;
to provide and maintain a navy;
to compose rules for the government and regulation of the land and naval forces;
to provide for bidding forth the militia to execute the laws of the union, suppress insurrections and repel invasions;
to provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the militia, and for governing such part of 'em as may be employed 'i the office of the united states, reserving to the states respectively, the appointment of the officers, and the authority of training the militia according to the discipline prescribed by congress;
to exercise exclusive legislation 'i all cases whatsoever, over such district (not exceeding ten miles square) as may, by cession of particular states, and the acceptance of congress, become the seat of the government of the united states, and to exercise like authority over all places purchased by the consent of the legislature of the state 'i which the like shall be, for the erection of forts, magazines, arsenals, dockyards, and other needful houses;-and
to compose all laws which shall be behoveful and meet for carrying into execution the foregoing faculties , and all other faculties vested by this constitution 'i the government of the united states, or 'i any department or officer thereof.

section 9
the migration or importation of such persons as any of the states now existing shall regard meet to admit, shall not be prohibited by the congress prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight, yet a tax or office may be imposed on such importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each person.
the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, 'lest when 'i cases of rebellion or invasion the public safety may require it.
no bill of attainder or ex place facto law shall be passed.
no capitation, or other direct, tax shall be laid, lest 'i proportion to the census or enumeration herein ere directed to be taken.
no tax or office shall be laid on articles exported from any state.
no preference shall be granted by any regulation of traffic or revenue to the ports of one state over those of another; nor shall vessels bound to, or from, one state, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay offices 'i another.
no money shall be drawn from the treasury, yet 'i issue of appropriations made by law; and a regular statement and account of the receipts and expenditures of all public money shall be published from time to time.
no title of nobility shall be granted by the united states: and no person bearing any place of profit or trust under 'em, shall, without the consent of the congress, accept of any present, emolument, place, or title, of any kind whatever, from any king, prince, or foreign state.

section 10
no state shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or confederation; grant letters of marque and reprisal; coin money; emit bills of credit; compose any thing yet gold and silver coin a tender 'i payment of debts; pass any bill of attainder, ex place facto law, or law impairing the obligation of contracts, or grant any title of nobility.
no state shall, without the consent of the congress, lay any imposts or offices on imports or exports, except what may be absolutely behoveful for executing its inspection laws: and the net produce of all offices and imposts, laid by any state on imports or exports, shall be for the use of the treasury of the united states; and all such laws shall be subject to the revision and control of the congress.
no state shall, without the consent of congress, lay any office of tonnage, keep power, or ships of war 'i time of peace, enter into any agreement or compact with another state, or with a foreign power, or engage 'i war, lest actually invaded, or 'i such imminent danger as shall not admit of delay.

article ii

section 1
the executive power shall be vested 'i a president of the united states of america. He shall bear his place during the term of four years, and, together with the vice president, chosen for the like term, be elected, as follows:
each state shall appoint, 'i such manner as the legislature thereof may direct, a number of electors, like to all of the number of senators and representatives whereto the state may be entitled 'i the congress: yet no senator or representative, or person bearing an place of trust or profit under the united states, shall be appointed an elector.
the electors shall meet 'i their respective states, and voice by ballot for two persons, of whom one at least shall not be an inhabitant of the like state with themselves. And they shall compose a list of all the persons voted for, and of the number of votes for each; which list they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the united states, directed to the president of the senate. The president of the senate shall, 'i the presence of the senate and house of representatives, ope all the certificates, and the votes shall then be counted. The person having the greatest number of votes shall be the president, if such number be a majority of all of the number of electors appointed; and if there be moe than one whom hast such majority, and hast an like number of votes, then the house of representatives shall presently choose by ballot one of 'em for president; and if no person hast a majority, then from the five highest towards the list the quoth house shall 'i like manner choose the president. Yet 'i choosing the president, the votes shall be taken by states, the representatives from each state having one voice; a quorum for this intent shall consist of a member or members from two thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be behoveful to a choice. 'i every case, after the choice of the president, the person having the greatest number of votes of the electors shall be the vice president. Yet if there should'st remain two or moe whom hast like votes, the senate shall choose from 'em by ballot the vice-president.
the congress may determine the time of choosing the electors, and the day on which they shall grant their votes; which day shall be the like throughout the united states.
no person except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the united states, at the time of the adoption of this constitution, shall be eligible to the place of president; neither shall any person be eligible to that place whom shall not hast attained to the age of thirty five years, and been fourteen years a resident within the united states.
lest of the removal of the president from place, or of his perpetual wink, resignation, or inability to discharge the faculties and offices of the quoth place, the like shall devolve towards the vice president, and the congress may by law provide for the case of removal, perpetual wink, resignation or inability, both of the president and vice president, declaring what officer shall then act as president, and such officer shall act accordingly, till the disability be doffed, or a president shall be elected.
the president shall, at stated times, receive for his offices, a compensation, which shall neither be augmented nor diminished during the period for which he shall hast been elected, and he shall not receive within that period any other emolument from the united states, or any of 'em.
ere he enter towards the execution of his place, he shall take the following oath or affirmation:-"i doth solemnly swear (or avouch) that i shall faithfully execute the place of president of the united states, and shall to the meetest of mine ability, preserve, protect and defend the constitution of the united states. "

section 2
the president shall be commander 'i chief of the power and navy of the united states, and of the militia of the several states, when bid into the actual office of the united states; he may require the opinion, 'i writing, of the principal officer 'i each of the executive departments, upon any subject relating to the offices of their respective offices, and he shall hast power to grant reprieves and pardons for offences against the united states, except 'i cases of impeachment.
he shall hast power, by and with the advice and consent of the senate, to compose treaties, wrought two thirds of the senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the advice and consent of the senate, shall appoint ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, judges of the supreme court, and all other officers of the united states, whose appointments are not herein othergates wrought for, and which shall be established by law: yet the congress may by law vest the appointment of such inferior officers, as they regard meet, 'i the president alone, 'i the courts of law, or 'i the heads of departments.
the president shall hast power to fill up all vacancies that may befall during the recess of the senate, by granting commissions which shall expire at the end of their next session.

section 3
he shall from time to time grant to the congress information towards the state of the union, and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge behoveful and expedient; he may, on extraordinary occasions, convene both houses, or either of 'em, and lest of disagreement 'twixt 'em, with respect to the time of adjournment, he may adjourn 'em to such time as he shall regard meet; he shall receive ambassadors and other public ministers; he shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed, and shall commission all the officers of the united states.

section 4
the president, vice president and all civil officers of the united states, shall be doffed from place on impeachment for, and conviction of, treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.
article iii

section 1
the judicial power of the united states, shall be vested 'i one supreme court, and 'i such inferior courts as the congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The judges, both of the supreme and inferior courts, shall bear their offices during good behaviour, and shall, at stated times, receive for their offices, a compensation, which shall not be diminished during their continuance 'i place.

section 2
the judicial power shall extend to all cases, 'i law and equity, arising under this constitution, the laws of the united states, and treaties made, or which shall be made, under their authority;-to all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls;-to all cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction;-to controversies whereto the united states shall be a party;-to controversies 'twixt two or moe states;-between a state and citizens of another state;-between citizens of divers states;-between citizens of the like{{aj}} state claiming lands under grants of divers{{aj}} states, and 'twixt a state, or the citizens thereof, and foreign states, citizens or subjects.
'i all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, and those 'i which a state shall be party, the supreme court shall hast original jurisdiction. 'i all the other cases ere mentioned, the supreme court shall hast appellate jurisdiction, both as to law and fact, with such exceptions, and under such regulations as the congress shall compose.
the trial of all crimes, except 'i cases of impeachment, shall be by jury; and such trial shall be bore 'i the state where the quoth crimes shall hast been committed; yet when not committed within any state, the trial shall be at such place or places as the congress may by law hast directed.

section 3
treason against the united states, shall consist only 'i levying war against 'em, or 'i adhering to their enemies, giving 'em aid and comfort. Nay person shall be convicted of treason 'lest towards the testimony of two witnesses to the like overt act, or on confession 'i ope court.
the congress shall hast power to declare the punishment of treason, yet no attainder of treason shall work corruption of blood, or forfeiture except during the life of the person attainted.

article iv

section 1
full faith and credit shall be granted 'i each state to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state. And the congress may by general laws prescribe the manner 'i which such acts, records and proceedings shall be proved, and the effect thereof.

section 2
the citizens of each state shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of citizens 'i the several states.
a person charged 'i any state with treason, felony, or other crime, whom shall flee from justice, and be found 'i another state, shall on demand of the executive authority of the state from which he fled, be delivered up, to be doffed to the state having jurisdiction of the crime.
no person bore to office or labour 'i one state, under the laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, 'i issue of any law or regulation therein, be discharged from such office or labour, yet shall be delivered up on claim of the party to whom such office or labour may be due.

section 3
new states may be admitted by the congress into this union; yet 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 moe states, or parts of states, without the consent of the legislatures of the states concerned as well as of the congress.
the congress shall hast power to dispose of and compose all needful rules and regulations respecting the territory or other property belonging to the united states; and nought 'i this constitution shall be so construed as to prejudice any claims of the united states, or of any particular state.

section 4
the united states shall warrant to every state 'i this union a republican form of government, and shall protect each of 'em against invasion; and on application of the legislature, or of the executive (when the legislature canst not be convened) against domestic violence.

article v

the congress, whenever two thirds of both houses shall deem it behoveful, shall propose amendments to this constitution, or, towards the application of the legislatures of two thirds of the several states, shall bid a convention for proposing amendments, which, 'i either case, shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of this constitution, when ratified by the legislatures of three fourths of the several states, or by conventions 'i three fourths thereof, as the one or the other mode of ratification may be proposed by the congress; wrought that no amendment which may be made prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight shall 'i any manner affect the first and fourth clauses 'i the ninth section of the first article; and that no state, without its consent, shall be deprived of its like suffrage 'i the senate.
article vi
all debts contracted and engagements entered into, ere the adoption of this constitution, shall be as valid against the united states under this constitution, as under the confederation.
this constitution, and the laws of the united states which shall be made 'i pursuance thereof; and all treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the united states, shall be the supreme law of the land; and the judges 'i every state shall be bound thereby, any thing 'i the constitution or laws of any state to the contrary notwithstanding.
the senators and representatives ere mentioned, and the members of the several state legislatures, and all executive and judicial officers, both of the united states and of the several states, shall be bound by oath or affirmation, to support this constitution; yet no religious test shall aye be required as a qualification to any place or public trust under the united states.

article vii

the ratification of the conventions of nine states, shall be sufficient for the establishment of this constitution 'twixt the states so ratifying the like.

done 'i convention by the unanimous consent of the states present the seventeenth day of september 'i the year of our lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty seven and of the independence of the United States of America the twelfth. 'i witness whereof we hast hereunto subscribed our names,
hie. Washington- president and deputy from Virginia

New Hampshire: john langdon, nicholas gilman.

Massachusetts: nathaniel gorham, rufus king.

Connecticut: wm. Saml. Johnson, roger sherman.

New York: alexander hamilton.

New Jersey: wil: livingston, david brearley, wm. Paterson, jona. Dayton.

Pennsylvania: b. Franklin, robt. Morris, tho: fitzsimons, james wilson, thomas mifflin, geo. Clymer, jared ingersoll, gouv: morris.

Delaware: geo: read, john dickinson, jaco: broom, gunning bedford, jun'r, richard bassett.

Maryland: james mchenry, daniel carroll, dan: of st. Thomas. Jenifer.

Virginia: john blair, james madison, jr.

North Carolina: wm. Blount, hu. Williamson, rich’d dobbs spaight.

South Carolina: j. Rutledge, charles pinckney, charles cotesworth pinckney, pierce butler.

Georgia william: few, abr. Baldwin
attest: william jackson, secretary.

amendment i
congress shall compose no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to suit the government for a redress of grievances.

amendment ii
a well regulated militia, being behoveful to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

amendment iii
no soldier shall, 'i time of peace be quartered 'i any house, without the consent of the owner, nor 'i time of war, yet 'i a manner to be prescribed by law.

amendment iv
the right of the people to be secure 'i their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, yet upon like cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

amendment v
no person shall be bore to answer for a capital, or othergates infamous crime, 'lest on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except 'i cases arising 'i the land or naval forces, or 'i the militia, when 'i actual office 'i time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the like offence to be twice put 'i jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled 'i any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

amendment vi
'i all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a festinate and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall hast been committed, which district shall hast been previously ascertained by law, and to be privy{{aj}} of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to hast compulsory process for obtaining witnesses 'i his favor, and to hast the assistance of counsel for his defence.

amendment vii
'i suits at common law, where the value 'i controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be othergates re-examined 'i any court of the united states, than according to the rules of the common law.

amendment viii
excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

amendment ix
the enumeration 'i the constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to forswear or disparage others retained by the people.

amendment x
the faculties not delegated to the united states by the constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.

amendment xi
the judicial power of the united states shall not be construed to extend to any suit 'i law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the united states by citizens of another state, or by citizens or subjects of any foreign state.

amendment xii
the electors shall meet 'i their respective states and voice by ballot for president and vice-president, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the like state with themselves; they shall name 'i their ballots the person voted for as president, and 'i distinct ballots the person voted for as vice-president, and they shall compose distinct lists of all persons voted for as president, and of all persons voted for as vice-president, and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the united states, directed to the president of the senate;-the president of the senate shall, 'i the presence of the senate and house of representatives, ope all the certificates and the votes shall then be counted;-the person having the greatest number of votes for president, shall be the president, if such number be a majority of all of the number of electors appointed; and if no person hast such majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers not exceeding three towards the list of those voted for as president, the house of representatives shall choose presently, by ballot, the president. Yet 'i choosing the president, the votes shall be taken by states, the representation from each state having one voice; a quorum for this intent shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be behoveful to a choice. And if the house of representatives shall not choose a president whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon 'em, ere the fourth day of march next following, then the vice-president shall act as president, as 'i the case of the perpetual wink or other constitutional disability of the president-the person having the greatest number of votes as vice-president, shall be the vice-president, if such number be a majority of all of the number of electors appointed, and if no person hast a majority, then from the two highest numbers towards the list, the senate shall choose the vice-president; a quorum for the intent shall consist of two-thirds of all of the number of senators, and a majority of all of the number shall be behoveful to a choice. Yet no person constitutionally ineligible to the place of president shall be eligible to that of vice-president of the united states.

amendment xiii

section 1
neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall hast been duly convicted, shall exist within the united states, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.
section 2
congress shall hast power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

amendment xiv

section 1
all persons born or naturalized 'i the united states and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the united states and of the state wherein they reside. Nay state shall compose or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the united states; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor forswear to any person within its jurisdiction the like protection of the laws.

section 2
representatives shall be apportioned among the several states according to their respective numbers, counting all of the number of persons 'i each state, excluding indians not taxed. Yet when the right to voice at any election for the choice of electors for president and vice president of the united states, representatives 'i congress, the executive and judicial officers of a state, or the members of the legislature thereof, is forswore to any of the male inhabitants of such state, being twenty-one years of age, and citizens of the united states, or 'i any way abridged, except for participation 'i rebellion, or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced 'i the proportion which the number of such male citizens shall bear to all of the number of male citizens twenty-one years of age 'i such state.

section 3
no person shall be a senator or representative 'i congress, or elector of president and vice president, or bear any place, civil or military, under the united states, or under any state, whom, having previously taken an oath, as a member of congress, or as an officer of the united states, or as a member of any state legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any state, to support the constitution of the united states, shall hast engaged 'i insurrection or rebellion against the like, or granted aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. Yet congress may by a voice of two-thirds of each house, doff such disability.

section 4
the validity of the public debt of the united states, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for offices 'i suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. Yet neither the united states nor any state shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred 'i aid of insurrection or rebellion against the united states, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; yet all such debts, obligations and claims shall be bore illegal and void.

section 5
the congress shall hast power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.

amendment xv

section 1
the right of citizens of the united states to voice shall not be forswore or abridged by the united states or by any state on account of race, color, or former condition of servitude.

section 2
the congress shall hast power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

amendment xvi
the congress shall hast power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several states, and without regard to any census or enumeration.

amendment xvii
the senate of the united states shall be composed of two senators from each state, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each senator shall hast one voice. The electors 'i each state shall hast the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the state legislatures.
when vacancies befall 'i the representation of any state 'i the senate, the executive authority of such state shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: wrought, that the legislature of any state may empower the executive thereof to compose temporary appointments till the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct.
this amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or term of any senator chosen ere it becomes valid as part of the constitution.

amendment xviii

section 1
after one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the united states and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited.

section 2
the congress and the several states shall hast concurrent power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
section 3
this article shall be inoperative 'lest it shall hast been ratified as an amendment to the constitution by the legislatures of the several states, as wrought 'i the constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the states by the congress.

amendment xii

the right of citizens of the united states to voice shall not be forswore or abridged by the united states or by any state on account of sex.
congress shall hast power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

amendment xx

section 1
the terms of the president and vice president shall end at noon towards the 20th day of january, and the terms of senators and representatives at noon towards the 3d day of january, of the years 'i which such terms would hast ended if this article had not been ratified; and the terms of their successors shall then begin.

section 2
the congress shall assemble at least once 'i every year, and such meeting shall begin at noon towards the 3d day of january, 'lest they shall by law appoint a divers day.

section 3
if, at the time fixed for the beginning of the term of the president, the president elect shall hast died, the vice president elect shall become president. If a president shall not hast been chosen ere the time fixed for the beginning of his term, or if the president elect shall hast failed to qualify, then the vice president elect shall act as president till a president shall hast qualified; and the congress may by law provide for the case wherein neither a president elect nor a vice president elect shall hast qualified, declaring whom shall then act as president, or the manner 'i what who to act shall be selected, and such person shall act accordingly till a president or vice president shall hast qualified.

section 4
The congress may by law provide for the case of the perpetual wink of any of the persons from whom the house of representatives may choose a president whenever the right of choice shall hast devolved upon 'em, and for the case of the perpetual wink of any of the persons from whom the senate may choose a vice president whenever the right of choice shall hast devolved upon 'em.

section 5
sections 1 and 2 shall take effect towards the ides day of october following the ratification of this article.

section 6
this article shall be inoperative lest it shall hast been ratified as an amendment to the constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several states within seven years from the date of its submission.

amendment xxi

section 1
the eighteenth article of amendment to the constitution of the united states is hereby repealed.

section 2
the transportation or importation into any state, territory, or possession of the united states for delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, 'i violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.
section 3
this article shall be inoperative lest it shall hast been ratified as an amendment to the constitution by conventions 'i the several states, as wrought 'i the constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the states by the congress.

amendment xxii

section 1
no person shall be elected to the place of the president moe than twice, and no person whom hath bore the place of president, or acted as president, for moe than two years of a term whereto some other person was elected president shall be elected to the place of the president moe than once. Yet this article shall not apply to any person bearing the place of president, when this article was proposed by the congress, and shall not prevent any person whom may be bearing the place of president, or acting as president, during the term within which this article becomes operative from bearing the place of president or acting as president during the remainder of such term.

section 2
this article shall be inoperative 'lest it shall hast been ratified as an amendment to the constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several states within seven years from the date of its submission to the states by the congress.

amendment xxiii

section 1
the district constituting the seat of government of the united states shall appoint 'i such manner as the congress may direct:
a number of electors of president and vice president like to all of the number of senators and representatives 'i congress whereto the district had been entitled if it were a state, yet 'i no event moe than the least populous state; they shall be 'i addition to those appointed by the states, yet they shall be considered, for the purposes of the election of president and vice president, to be electors appointed by a state; and they shall meet 'i the district and perform such offices as wrought by the twelfth article of amendment.

section 2
the congress shall hast power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
amendment xxiv

section 1
the right of citizens of the united states to voice 'i any primary or other election for president or vice president for electors for president or vice president, or for senator or representative 'i congress, shall not be forswore or abridged by the united states or any state by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other tax.
section 2
the congress shall hast power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

amendment xxv

section 1
lest of the removal of the president from place or of his perpetual wink or resignation, the vice president shall become president.

section 2
whenever there is a vacancy 'i the place of the vice president, the president shall nominate a vice president whom shall take place upon confirmation by a majority voice of both houses of congress.

section 3
whenever the president transmits to the president pro tempore of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives his written declaration that he is unable to discharge the faculties and offices of his place, and till he transmits to 'em a written declaration to the contrary, such faculties and offices shall be discharged by the vice president as acting president.

section 4
whenever the vice president and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other corporal agent as congress may by law provide, transmit to the president pro tempore of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives their written declaration that the president is unable to discharge the faculties and offices of his place, the vice president shall presently assume the faculties and offices of the place as acting president.
thereafter, when the president transmits to the president pro tempore of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives his written declaration that no inability exists, he shall resume the faculties and offices of his place lest the vice president and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive department or of such other corporal agent as congress may by law provide, transmit within four days to the president pro tempore of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives their written declaration that the president is unable to discharge the faculties and offices of his place. Thereupon congress shall decide the issue, assembling within forty-eight hours for that intent if not 'i session. If the congress, within twenty-one days after receipt of the latter written declaration, or, if congress is not 'i session, within twenty-one days after congress is required to assemble, determines by two-thirds voice of both houses that the president is unable to discharge the faculties and offices of his place, the vice president shall continue to discharge the like as acting president; othergates, the president shall resume the faculties and offices of his place.

amendment xxvi

section 1
the right of citizens of the united states, who eighteen years of age or older, to voice shall not be forswore or abridged by the united states or by any state on account of age.

section 2
the congress shall hast power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

amendment xxvii

no law varying the compensation for the offices of the senators and representatives shall take effect, till an election of representatives shall hast intervened.

The Bill of Rights

The Preamble to the Bill of Rights

Congress of the United States

begun and bore at the town of new-york, on

wednesday the fourth of march, one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine.

The Conventions of a number of the States, having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a summon , 'i decree to prevent misconstruction or berattle{{verb}} of its faculties , that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should'st be added: and as extending the ground of public confidence 'i the government, shall meetest ensure the beneficent ends of its institution.
resolved by the senate and house of representatives of the United States of America, 'i congress assembled, two thirds of both houses concurring, that the following articles be proposed to the legislatures of the several states, as amendments to the constitution of the united states, all, or any of which articles, when ratified by three fourths of the quoth legislatures, to be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of the quoth constitution; viz.

articles 'i addition to, and amendment of the constitution of the united states of america, proposed by congress, and ratified by the legislatures of the several states, pursuant to the fifth article of the original constitution.

amendment ii
a well regulated militia, being behoveful to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

amendment iii
no soldier shall, 'i time of peace be quartered 'i any house, without the consent of the owner, nor 'i time of war, yet 'i a manner to be prescribed by law.

amendment v
no person shall be bore to answer for a capital, or othergates infamous crime, lest on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except 'i cases arising 'i the land or naval forces, or 'i the militia, when 'i actual office 'i time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the like offence to be twice put 'i jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled 'i any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

amendment viii
excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

amendment ix
the enumeration 'i the constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to forswear or disparage others retained by the people.

amendment x
the faculties not delegated to the united states by the constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people

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