We the People of the States of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, South-Carolina and Georgia, do ordain, declare and establish the following Constitution for the Government of ourselves and our Posterity.

1.

The Stile of this Government shall be. “the United States of America”.

2.

The Government shall consist of supreme legislative, executive, and judicial Powers.

3.

The legislative Power shall be vested in a Congress, to consist of two separate and distinct Bodies of Men, a House of Representatives, and a Senate; each of which shall in all Cases, have a Negative on the other

To meet on the 1st Monday every December —

4.

The Members of the House of Representatives shall be chosen every second Year, by the People of the several States comprehended within this Union. The Qualifications of the Electors shall be the same from Time to Time as those of the Electors, in the several States, of the most numerous Branch of their own Legislatures.

Every Member of the House of Representatives shall be of the Age of twenty five Years at least; shall have been a Citizen in the United States for at least three Years before his Election; and shall be, at the Time of his Election, a Resident of the State in which he shall be chosen.

The House of Representatives shall, at its first Formation, and until the Number of Citizens and Inhabitants shall be taken in the Manner herein after described, consist of sixty five Members, of whom three shall be chosen in New-Hampshire, eight in Massachusetts, one in Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations, five in Connecticut, six in New-York, four in New-Jersey, eight in Pennsylvania, one in Delaware, six in Maryland, ten in Virginia, five in North-Carolina, five in South-Carolina, and three in Georgia.

As the Proportions of Numbers in different States will alter from Time to Time; as some of the States may be hereafter divided; as others may be enlarged by Addition of Territory; as two or more States may be united; and as new States will be erected within the Limits of the United States, the Legislature shall, in each of these Cases regulate the Number of Representatives by the Number of Inhabitants, according to the Provisions herein after made.

All Bills for raising or appropriating Money, and for fixing the Salaries of the Officers of Government, shall originate in the House of Representatives, and shall not be altered or amended by the Senate. No money shall be drawn from the public Treasury, but in Pursuance of Appropriations that shall originate in the House of Representatives.

The House of Representatives shall havbe the sole Power ofgrand Inquest of the Nation; and all Impeachments shall be made by them.

Vacancies in the House of Representatives shall be supplied by Writs of Election from the Executive Authority of the State, fromin the representation from which they shall happen.

The House of Representatives shall chuse its Speaker and other Officers.

5.

The Senate of the United States shall be chosen by the Legislatures of the several States. Each Legislature shall chuse two Members. Each Member shall have one Vote.

The Senators shall be chosen for six Years; but immediately after the first Election they shall be divided, by Lot, into three Classes, as nearly as may be, numbered one, two and three. The Seats of the Members 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, of the third Class at the Expiration of the sixth Year, and so continually that a third Part of the Members of the Senate may be chosen every second Year.

Every Member of the Senate shall be of the Age of thirty Years at least; shall have been a Citizen in the United States for at least four Years before his Election; and shall be, at the time of his Election, a Resident of the State for which he shall be chosen.

The Senate shall chuse its own President and other Officers

6.

The Times and Places and the Manner of holding the Elections of the Members of each House shall be prescribed by the Legislature of each State; but their Provisions concerning them may, at any Time, be altered by the Legislature of the United States.

The Legislature of the United States shall have Authority to establish such uniform Qualifications of the Members of each House, with Regard to Property, as to the said Legislature shall seemproper expedient.

In each House a Majority of the Members shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller Number may adjourn from Day to Day.

Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members.

Freedom of Speech and Debate in the Legislature shall not be impeached or questioned in any Court or Place out of the Legislature; and Members of each House shall, in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at Congress, and in going to and returning from it.

Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, may punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour and may expel a Member.

The House of Representatives, and the Senate, when it shall be acting in a legislative Capacity, shall keep a Journal of their Proceedings, and shall, from Time to Time, publish them: and the Yeas and Nays of the Members of each House, on any Question, shall at the Desire of ⅕th. of theany Members be entered on the Journal.

Neither House shall adjourn for more than three Days; without the Consent of the other shall adjourn for more than three Days; nor; nor without such Consent, to any other Place than that, at which the two Houses are sitting. But this Regulation shall not extenbe applied to the Senate wheonly in it shall exercise the Powers mentioned in the Articls legislative Capacityit shall e.

The Members of each House shall be ineligible to, and incapable of holding any Office under the Authority of the United States during the Time, for which they shall be respectively elected: And the Members of the Senate shall be ineligible to, and incapable of holding any such Office for one Year afterwards.

The Members of each House shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained and paid by the State, in which they shall be chosen.

The enacting Stile of the Laws of the United States shall be “be it enacted and it is hereby enacted by the House of Representatives and by the Senate of the United States in Congress assembled”.

Each House shall possess the Right of Originating Bills, except in the Cases beforementioned.

7.

Every Bill, which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the PresidentGovernour of the United States for his Revision: If, upon such Revision, he approve of it; he shall signify his Approbation by signing it: But if, upon such Revision, it shall appear to him improper for being passed into a Law; he shall return it, together with his Objections against it, to that House, in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider the Bill. But if after such Reconsideration, two thirds of that House shall, notwithstanding the Objections of the PresidentGovernour, agree to pass it, it shall, together with his Objections, be sent to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and, if approved by two thirds of the other House also; it shall be a Law. But in all such Cases, the Votes of both Houses shall be determined by Yeas and Nays; and the Names of the Persons voting for or against the Bill shall be entered in the Journal of each House respectively.

If any bill shall not be returned by the PresidentGovernour within seven____ days after it shall have been presented to him, it shall be a Law, unless the Legislature by their Adjournment prevent its Return; in which Case it shall be returned on the first Day of the next Meeting of the Legislature.

8.

The Legislature of the United States shall have the Right and Power to lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises; to regulate Commerce with foreign Nations & amongst the several States; to establish an uniform Rule for Naturalization throughout the United States; to coin Money; to regulate the Alloy and Value of foreign Coin; to fix the Standard of Weights and Measures; to establish Post-offices; to borrow Money, and emit Bills on the Credit of the United States; to appoint a Treasurer by Ballott; to constitute Tribunals inferior to the Supreme national Court; to make Rules concerning Captures on Land or Water; to declare the Law and Punishment of Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and the Punishment of counterfeiting the Coin of the U.S. &and of Offences against the Law of Nations; & ofto declare what shall be Treason against the U.S. or any of them; not to work Corruption of Blood or Forfeit except during the Life of the Partyed States; to regulate the Discipline of the Militia of the several States; to subdue a Rebellion in any State, on the Application of its Legislature; to make War; to raise Armies; to build and equip Fleets, to call forth the Aid of the Militia, in order to execute the Laws of the Union, enforce Treaties, suppress Insurrections, and repel invasions; and to make all Laws that shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution all other powers vested, by this Constitution, in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof;

The proportions of direct Taxation shall be regulated by the whole Number of white and other free Citizens and Inhabitants, of every Age, Sex and Condition, including those bound to Servitude for a Term of Years, and three fifths of all other Persons not comprehended in the foregoing Description; which Number shall, within six Years after the first Meeting of the Legislature, and within the Term of every ten Years afterwards, be taken in such Manner as the said Legislature shall direct.

From the first Meeting of the Legislature until the Number of Citizens and Inhabitants shall be taken as aforesaid, direct Taxation shall be in Proportion to the Number of Representatives chosen in each State.

No Tax or Duty shall be laid by the Legislature, on Articles exported from any State; nor on the Imigration or Importation of such Persons as the several States shall think proper to admit; nor shall such Imigration or Importation be prohibited.

No Capitation Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to the Census herein before directed to be taken.

No Navigation Act shall be passed without the Assent of two thirds of the Members present in each House.

The United States shall not grant any Title of Nobility.

9.

The Acts of the Legislature of the United States made in Pursuance of this Constitution, and all Treaties made under the Authority of the United States shall be the supreme Law of the several States, and of their Citizens and Inhabitants; and the Judges in the several States shall be bound thereby in their Decisions, any Thing in the Constitutions or Laws of the several States to the Contrary notwithstanding.

10.

No State shall enter into any Agreement,liance Treaty, Alliance or Confederation with any foreign Power nor into any agreement or compact with any other State or Power; nor lay any Imposts or Duties on Imports; nor keep Troops or Ships of War in Time of Peace; nor grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; nor coin Money; nor emit Bills of Credit, without the Consent of the Legislature of the United States, emit Bills of Credit. No State shall, without such Consent engage in any War, unless it shall be actually invaded by Enemies, or the Danger of Invasion be so imminent as not to admit of a Delay, until the Legislature of the United States can be consulted. No State shall grant any Title of Nobility.

11.

The Senate of the United States shall have Power to make Treaties; to send Ambassadors; and to appoint the Judges of the Supreme national Court.

In all Disputes and Controversies now subsisting, or that may hereafter subsist between two or more States respecting Jurisdiction or Territory, the Senate shall possess the following Powers. Whenever the Legislature, or the Executive Authority, or the lawful Agent of any State, in controversy with another, shall, by Memorial to the Senate, state the Matter in Question, and apply for a Hearing, Notice of such Memorial and Application shall be given, by Order of the Senate, to the Legislature, or the Executive Authority of the other State in Controversy. The Senate shall also assign a Day for the Appearance of the Parties, by their Agents before that House. The Agents shall be directed to appoint, by joint Consent, Commissioners or Judges to constitute a Court for hearing and determining the Matter in Question. But if the Agents cannot agree, the Senate shall name three Persons out of each of the several States; and from the List of such Persons each Party shall alternately strike out one, until the Number shall be reduced to thirteen; and from that Number not less than seven, nor more than nine names, as the Senate shall direct, shall in their Presence, be drawn out by Lot; and the Persons whose Names shall be so drawn, or any five of them shall be Commissioners or Judges to hear and finally determine the Controversy, provided a majority of the Judges, who shall hear the Cause, agree in the Determination. If either Party shall neglect to attend at the Day assigned, without shewing sufficient Reasons for not attending; or being present, shall refuse to strike, the Senate shall proceed to nominate three Persons out of each State, and the Clerk of the Senate shall strike in Behalf of the Party absent or refusing. If any of the Parties shall refuse to submit to the Authority of such Court, or shall not appear to prosecute or defend their Claim or Cause; the Court shall nevertheless proceed to pronounce Judgment. The Judgment shall be final and conclusive. The Proceedings shall be transmitted to the President of the Senate, and shall be lodged among the public Records for the Security of the Parties concerned. Every Commissioner shall, before he sit in Judgment, take an Oath, to be administered by one of the Judges of the Supreme or Superior Court of the State where the Cause shall be tried, “well and truly to hear and determine the Matter in Question according to the best of his Judgment, without Favor, Affection or Hope of Reward.”

All controversies concerning Lands claimed under different Grants of two or more States, whose Jurisdictions as they respect such Lands, shall have been decided or adjusted subsequent to such Grants or any of them shall, on Application to the Senate, be finally determined, as near as may be, in the same manner as is before prescribed for deciding Controversies between different States.

12.

The Executive Power of the United States shall be vested in a single Person. His Stile shall be, “The President of the United States of America;” and his Title shall be, “His Excellency”. He shall be elected by Ballot by the Legislature. He shall hold his Office during the term of seven Years; but shall not be elected a second Time.

He shall from Time to Time give information tof the LegislStature of the State ofNation to the UnionLegislature; he may recommend Matters to their Consideration such measures as he shall find necessary & expedient, and, and he may convene them on extraordinary Occasions & in Case of a disagreement between the 2 Houses with regard to Adjournment he may adjourn them. He shall take Care to such Time as he shall think proper. It shall bethe best of his duty to provide forAbility, the due & faithful execution of the Laws of the United States to the best of his ability faithfully executed. He shall commission all the Officers of the United States and shall appoint themOfficers in all Case all cases not otherwise provided for by this Constitution. He shall receive Ambassadors, and shall correspond with the SupremeGovernours and other Executives Officers of the several States.

He shall have power to grant Reprieves and Pardons; but his Pardon shall not be pleadable in Bar of an Impeachment. He shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the Several States. He shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, a fixed Compensation, which shall neither be encreased nor diminished during his Continuance in Office. Before he shall enter on the Duties of his Department, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation, “I ____ solemnly swear, — or affirm — that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States of America.” He shall be removed from his Office on Impeachment by the House of Representatives, and Conviction in the Supreme National Court, of Treason Bribery or Corruption. In Case of his Impeachment, Removal, Death, Resignation or Disability to discharge the Powers and Duties of his Office; the President of the Senate shall exercise those Powers and Duties, until another President of the United States be chosen, or until the President impeached or disabled be acquitted, or his Disability be removed.

13.

All Commissions, Patents and Writs shall be in the Name of “the United States of America.”

14.

The Judicial Power of the United States shall be vested in one Supreme National Court, and in such inferiother Courts as shall, from Time to Time, be constituted by the Legislature of the United States.

The Judges of the Supreme National Court shall be chosen by the Senate by Ballott. They shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour. They shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services, a Compensation, which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office.

The Jurisdiction of the Supreme National Court shall extend to all Cases arising under Laws passed by the Legislature of the United States; to all Cases affecting Ambassadors and other public Ministers & Consuls, to the Trial of Impeachments of Officers of the United States; to all Cases of Admiralty and Maritime Jurisdiction; to Controversies between States, except those which regard Jurisdiction or Territory, between a State and a Citizen or Citizens of another State, between Citizens of different States and between a State or the Citizens of any of thereof States and foreign States, Citizens or Subjects. In Cases of Impeachment, Cathoses affecting Ambassadors and other public Ministers & Consuls, and those in which a State shall be aone of the Partyies, this Jurisdiction shall be original. In all the other Cases beforementioned, it shall be appellate, with such Exceptions and under such Regulations as the Legislature shall make. The Legislature may assign any part ofdistribute the Jurisdiction above mentioned, — except the Trial of the Executive —, in the Manner and under the Limitations which it shall think proper toamong such inferiother Courts as it shall constitute from Time to Time & in the State, where they.

Crimes shall be committed; The Trial of all Criminal Offences, — excepted in the State, in Cases of Impeachment —which they shall be by Jury.

Judgments in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office & disqucommitted; and The Trialification to hold & enjoy any place of Honor, Trust or Profit under the U.S. But the party convictedm shall nevertheless be liable & subject to Judicial Trial Judgment & Punishment according to Lawby Jury.

New States lawfully constituted or established within the Limits of the United States may be admitted, by the Legislature, into this Government; but to such Admission the Consent of two thirds of the Members present in each House shall be necessary. If a new State shall arise within the Limits of any of the present States; the consent of the Legislatures of such States shall be also necessary to its Admission. If the Admission be consented to, the new States shall be admitted on the same Terms with the original States. But the Legislature may make Conditions with the new States concerning the public Debt, which shall be then subsisting.

The free Citizens of each State shall be intitled to all Privileges & Immunities of free Citizens in the several States

Any person charged with Treason Felony or high Misdemeanor who shall flee from Justice & be found in any of the U States shall on demand of the executive power of the State from which he fled be delivered up & removed to the State having Jurisdiction of the Offence. —

Full Faith & Credit &c.

The United States shall guaranty to each State a Republican form of Government; and shall protect each State against foreign Invasions, and, on the Application of its Legislature, against domestic Violence.

This Constitution ought to be amended whenever such amendment shall become necessary; and on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the States of the Union, the Legislature of the United States shall call a Convention for that Purpose.

The Members of the Legislatures and the executive and judicial Officers of the United States, and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath to support this Constitution.

This Constitution proposed shallby this Convention to the People of the United States for their Approbation should be laid before the United States in Congress assembled for their Approbationgreement and that in the opinion of this ConvRecommendation it shouland be afterwards submitted to a Convention chosen in each State, under the Recommendations of its Legislature in Order to receive the Ratification of such Convention.

Resolved In order to introduce this Government it is the opinion of this Convention that the Ratification of the Conventions of States shall be sufficient for organizing this Constitution:

Each assenting Convention should notify its Assent and Ratification to the United States in Congress assembled: That the United States in Congress assembled, after receiving the Assent and Ratification of the Conventions of States, should appoint and publish a Day, as early as may be, and appoint a Place for commencing Proceedings under this Constitution: That after such Publication or, — in Case it shall not be made — after the expiration of Days from the Time when the Ratification of the Convention of the State shall have been notified to Congress, the Legislatures of the several States shouldall elect Members of the Senate, and direct the Election of Members of the House of Representatives and shall provide for their support. That the Members of the Legislature shouldall meet at the Time and Place assigned by Congress, or, — if Congress shall have assigned shouldno Time and Place — at such Time and Place as shall have been agreed on by the Majority of the Members elected for each House; and shall as soon as may be, after their Meeting, choose the President of the United States, and proceed to execute this Constitution.