The Constitution of the United States: A Transcription

Note: The following text is a transcription of the Constitution in its original form. Items that are hyperlinked have since been amended or superseded .

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic
Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our osterity, do ordain and establish this !onstitution for the United States of "merica#

Article. I.
Section. 1. "ll legislative o$ers herein granted shall be vested in a !ongress of the United States, $hich shall consist of a Senate and %ouse of &epresentatives# Section. 2. The %ouse of &epresentatives shall be composed of 'embers chosen every second (ear by the eople of the several States, and the )lectors in each State shall have the *ualifications requisite for )lectors of the most numerous Branch of the State Legislature# +o erson shall be a &epresentative $ho shall not have attained to the "ge of t$enty five (ears, and been seven (ears a !iti,en of the United States, and $ho shall not, $hen elected, be an -nhabitant of that State in $hich he shall be chosen# &epresentatives and direct Ta.es shall be apportioned among the several States $hich may be included $ithin this Union, according to their respective +umbers, $hich shall be determined by adding to the $hole +umber of free ersons, including those bound to Service for a Term of (ears, and e.cluding -ndians not ta.ed, three fifths of all other ersons# The actual )numeration shall be made $ithin three (ears after the first 'eeting of the !ongress of the United States, and $ithin every subsequent Term of ten (ears, in such 'anner as they shall by La$ direct# The +umber of &epresentatives shall not e.ceed one for every thirty Thousand, but each State shall have at Least one &epresentative/ and until such enumeration shall be made, the State of +e$ %ampshire shall be entitled to chuse three, 'assachusetts eight, &hode0-sland and rovidence lantations one, !onnecticut five, +e$0(or1 si., +e$ Jersey four, ennsylvania eight, 2ela$are one, 'aryland si., 3irginia ten, +orth !arolina five, South !arolina five, and 4eorgia three# When vacancies happen in the &epresentation from any State, the ).ecutive "uthority thereof shall issue Writs of )lection to fill such 3acancies# The %ouse of &epresentatives shall chuse their Spea1er and other Officers/ and shall have the sole o$er of -mpeachment# Section. 3. The Senate of the United States shall be composed of t$o Senators from each State, chosen by the Legislature thereof for si. (ears/ and each Senator shall have one 3ote# -mmediately after they shall be assembled in !onsequence of the first )lection, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three !lasses# The Seats of the Senators of the first !lass shall be vacated at the ).piration of the second (ear, of the second !lass at the ).piration of the fourth (ear, and of the third !lass at the ).piration of the si.th (ear, so that one third may be chosen every second (ear/ and if 3acancies happen by &esignation, or other$ise, during the &ecess of the Legislature of any State, the ).ecutive thereof may ma1e temporary "ppointments until the ne.t 'eeting of the Legislature, $hich shall then fill such 3acancies# +o erson shall be a Senator $ho shall not have attained to the "ge of thirty (ears, and been nine (ears a !iti,en of the United States, and $ho shall not, $hen elected, be an -nhabitant of that State for $hich he shall be chosen# The 3ice resident of the United States shall be resident of the Senate, but shall have no 3ote, unless they be equally divided#

The Senate shall chuse their other Officers, and also a resident pro tempore, in the "bsence of the 3ice resident, or $hen he shall e.ercise the Office of resident of the United States# The Senate shall have the sole o$er to try all -mpeachments# When sitting for that urpose, they shall be on Oath or "ffirmation# When the resident of the United States is tried, the !hief Justice shall preside5 "nd no erson shall be convicted $ithout the !oncurrence of t$o thirds of the 'embers present# Judgment in !ases of -mpeachment shall not e.tend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and en6oy any Office of honor, Trust or rofit under the United States5 but the arty convicted shall nevertheless be liable and sub6ect to -ndictment, Trial, Judgment and unishment, according to La$# Section. 4. The Times, laces and 'anner of holding )lections for Senators and &epresentatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof/ but the !ongress may at any time by La$ ma1e or alter such &egulations, e.cept as to the laces of chusing Senators# The !ongress shall assemble at least once in every (ear, and such 'eeting shall be on the first 'onday in 2ecember, unless they shall by La$ appoint a different 2ay# Section. . )ach %ouse shall be the Judge of the )lections, &eturns and *ualifications of its o$n 'embers, and a 'a6ority of each shall constitute a *uorum to do Business/ but a smaller +umber may ad6ourn from day to day, and may be authori,ed to compel the "ttendance of absent 'embers, in such 'anner, and under such enalties as each %ouse may provide# )ach %ouse may determine the &ules of its roceedings, punish its 'embers for disorderly Behaviour, and, $ith the !oncurrence of t$o thirds, e.pel a 'ember# )ach %ouse shall 1eep a Journal of its roceedings, and from time to time publish the same, e.cepting such arts as may in their Judgment require Secrecy/ and the (eas and +ays of the 'embers of either %ouse on any question shall, at the 2esire of one fifth of those resent, be entered on the Journal# +either %ouse, during the Session of !ongress, shall, $ithout the !onsent of the other, ad6ourn for more than three days, nor to any other lace than that in $hich the t$o %ouses shall be sitting# Section. !. The Senators and &epresentatives shall receive a !ompensation for their Services, to be ascertained by La$, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States# They shall in all !ases, e.cept Treason, 7elony and Breach of the eace, be privileged from "rrest during their "ttendance at the Session of their respective %ouses, and in going to and returning from the same/ and for any Speech or 2ebate in either %ouse, they shall not be questioned in any other lace# +o Senator or &epresentative shall, during the Time for $hich he $as elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the "uthority of the United States, $hich shall have been created, or the )moluments $hereof shall have been encreased during such time/ and no erson holding any Office under the United States, shall be a 'ember of either %ouse during his !ontinuance in Office# Section. ". "ll Bills for raising &evenue shall originate in the %ouse of &epresentatives/ but the Senate may propose or concur $ith "mendments as on other Bills# )very Bill $hich shall have passed the %ouse of &epresentatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a La$, be presented to the resident of the United States5 -f he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, $ith his Ob6ections to that %ouse in $hich it shall have originated, $ho shall enter the Ob6ections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it# -f after such &econsideration t$o thirds of that %ouse shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together $ith the Ob6ections, to the other %ouse, by $hich it shall li1e$ise be reconsidered, and if approved by t$o thirds of that %ouse, it shall become a La$# But in all such !ases the 3otes of both %ouses shall be

determined by yeas and +ays, and the +ames of the ersons voting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each %ouse respectively# -f any Bill shall not be returned by the resident $ithin ten 2ays 8Sundays e.cepted9 after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a La$, in li1e 'anner as if he had signed it, unless the !ongress by their "d6ournment prevent its &eturn, in $hich !ase it shall not be a La$# )very Order, &esolution, or 3ote to $hich the !oncurrence of the Senate and %ouse of &epresentatives may be necessary 8e.cept on a question of "d6ournment9 shall be presented to the resident of the United States/ and before the Same shall ta1e )ffect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by t$o thirds of the Senate and %ouse of &epresentatives, according to the &ules and Limitations prescribed in the !ase of a Bill# Section. #. The !ongress shall have o$er To lay and collect Ta.es, 2uties, -mposts and ).cises, to pay the 2ebts and provide for the common 2efence and general Welfare of the United States/ but all 2uties, -mposts and ).cises shall be uniform throughout the United States/ To borro$ 'oney on the credit of the United States/ To regulate !ommerce $ith foreign +ations, and among the several States, and $ith the -ndian Tribes/ To establish an uniform &ule of +aturali,ation, and uniform La$s on the sub6ect of Ban1ruptcies throughout the United States/ To coin 'oney, regulate the 3alue thereof, and of foreign !oin, and fi. the Standard of Weights and 'easures/ To provide for the unishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current !oin of the United States/ To establish ost Offices and post &oads/ To promote the rogress of Science and useful "rts, by securing for limited Times to "uthors and -nventors the e.clusive &ight to their respective Writings and 2iscoveries/ To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme !ourt/ To define and punish iracies and 7elonies committed on the high Seas, and Offences against the La$ of +ations/ To declare War, grant Letters of 'arque and &eprisal, and ma1e &ules concerning !aptures on Land and Water/ To raise and support "rmies, but no "ppropriation of 'oney to that Use shall be for a longer Term than t$o (ears/ To provide and maintain a +avy/ To ma1e &ules for the 4overnment and &egulation of the land and naval 7orces/ To provide for calling forth the 'ilitia to e.ecute the La$s of the Union, suppress -nsurrections and repel -nvasions/ To provide for organi,ing, arming, and disciplining, the 'ilitia, and for governing such art of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the "ppointment of the Officers, and the "uthority of training the 'ilitia according to the discipline prescribed by !ongress/ To e.ercise e.clusive Legislation in all !ases $hatsoever, over such 2istrict 8not e.ceeding ten 'iles square9 as may, by !ession of particular States, and the "cceptance of !ongress, become the Seat of the 4overnment of the United States, and to e.ercise li1e "uthority over all laces purchased by the !onsent of the Legislature of the State in $hich the Same shall be, for the )rection of 7orts, 'aga,ines, "rsenals, doc10(ards, and other needful Buildings/00"nd To ma1e all La$s $hich shall be necessary and proper for carrying into ).ecution the foregoing o$ers, and all other o$ers vested by this !onstitution in the 4overnment of the United States, or in any 2epartment or Officer thereof# Section. $.

The 'igration or -mportation of such ersons as any of the States no$ e.isting shall thin1 proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the !ongress prior to the (ear one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a Ta. or duty may be imposed on such -mportation, not e.ceeding ten dollars for each erson# The rivilege of the Writ of %abeas !orpus shall not be suspended, unless $hen in !ases of &ebellion or -nvasion the public Safety may require it# +o Bill of "ttainder or e. post facto La$ shall be passed# +o !apitation, or other direct, Ta. shall be laid, unless in roportion to the !ensus or enumeration herein before directed to be ta1en# +o Ta. or 2uty shall be laid on "rticles e.ported from any State# +o reference shall be given by any &egulation of !ommerce or &evenue to the orts of one State over those of another/ nor shall 3essels bound to, or from, one State, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay 2uties in another# +o 'oney shall be dra$n from the Treasury, but in !onsequence of "ppropriations made by La$/ and a regular Statement and "ccount of the &eceipts and ).penditures of all public 'oney shall be published from time to time# +o Title of +obility shall be granted by the United States5 "nd no erson holding any Office of rofit or Trust under them, shall, $ithout the !onsent of the !ongress, accept of any present, )molument, Office, or Title, of any 1ind $hatever, from any :ing, rince, or foreign State# Section. 1%. +o State shall enter into any Treaty, "lliance, or !onfederation/ grant Letters of 'arque and &eprisal/ coin 'oney/ emit Bills of !redit/ ma1e any Thing but gold and silver !oin a Tender in ayment of 2ebts/ pass any Bill of "ttainder, e. post facto La$, or La$ impairing the Obligation of !ontracts, or grant any Title of +obility# +o State shall, $ithout the !onsent of the !ongress, lay any -mposts or 2uties on -mports or ).ports, e.cept $hat may be absolutely necessary for e.ecuting it;s inspection La$s5 and the net roduce of all 2uties and -mposts, laid by any State on -mports or ).ports, shall be for the Use of the Treasury of the United States/ and all such La$s shall be sub6ect to the &evision and !ontroul of the !ongress# +o State shall, $ithout the !onsent of !ongress, lay any 2uty of Tonnage, 1eep Troops, or Ships of War in time of eace, enter into any "greement or !ompact $ith another State, or $ith a foreign o$er, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent 2anger as $ill not admit of delay#

Article. II.
Section. 1. The e.ecutive o$er shall be vested in a resident of the United States of "merica# %e shall hold his Office during the Term of four (ears, and, together $ith the 3ice resident, chosen for the same Term, be elected, as follo$s5 )ach State shall appoint, in such 'anner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a +umber of )lectors, equal to the $hole +umber of Senators and &epresentatives to $hich the State may be entitled in the !ongress5 but no Senator or &epresentative, or erson holding an Office of Trust or rofit under the United States, shall be appointed an )lector# The )lectors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by Ballot for t$o ersons, of $hom one at least shall not be an -nhabitant of the same State $ith themselves# "nd they shall ma1e a List of all the ersons voted for, and of the +umber of 3otes for each/ $hich List they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the Seat of the 4overnment of the United States, directed to the resident of the Senate# The resident of the Senate shall, in the resence of the Senate and %ouse of &epresentatives, open all the !ertificates, and the 3otes shall then be counted# The erson having the greatest +umber of 3otes shall be the resident, if such +umber be a 'a6ority of the $hole +umber of )lectors appointed/ and if there be more than one $ho have such 'a6ority, and have an equal +umber of 3otes, then the %ouse of &epresentatives shall immediately chuse by Ballot one of them for resident/ and if no erson have a 'a6ority, then from the five highest on the List the said %ouse shall in li1e 'anner chuse the resident# But in chusing the resident, the 3otes shall be ta1en by States, the &epresentation from each State having one 3ote/ " quorum for this purpose shall consist of a 'ember or 'embers from t$o thirds of the States,

and a 'a6ority of all the States shall be necessary to a !hoice# -n every !ase, after the !hoice of the resident, the erson having the greatest +umber of 3otes of the )lectors shall be the 3ice resident# But if there should remain t$o or more $ho have equal 3otes, the Senate shall chuse from them by Ballot the 3ice resident# The !ongress may determine the Time of chusing the )lectors, and the 2ay on $hich they shall give their 3otes/ $hich 2ay shall be the same throughout the United States# +o erson e.cept a natural born !iti,en, or a !iti,en of the United States, at the time of the "doption of this !onstitution, shall be eligible to the Office of resident/ neither shall any erson be eligible to that Office $ho shall not have attained to the "ge of thirty five (ears, and been fourteen (ears a &esident $ithin the United States# -n !ase of the &emoval of the resident from Office, or of his 2eath, &esignation, or -nability to discharge the o$ers and 2uties of the said Office, the Same shall devolve on the 3ice resident, and the !ongress may by La$ provide for the !ase of &emoval, 2eath, &esignation or -nability, both of the resident and 3ice resident, declaring $hat Officer shall then act as resident, and such Officer shall act accordingly, until the 2isability be removed, or a resident shall be elected# The resident shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, a !ompensation, $hich shall neither be increased nor diminished during the eriod for $hich he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive $ithin that eriod any other )molument from the United States, or any of them# Before he enter on the ).ecution of his Office, he shall ta1e the follo$ing Oath or "ffirmation500<- do solemnly s$ear 8or affirm9 that - $ill faithfully e.ecute the Office of resident of the United States, and $ill to the best of my "bility, preserve, protect and defend the !onstitution of the United States#< Section. 2. The resident shall be !ommander in !hief of the "rmy and +avy of the United States, and of the 'ilitia of the several States, $hen called into the actual Service of the United States/ he may require the Opinion, in $riting, of the principal Officer in each of the e.ecutive 2epartments, upon any Sub6ect relating to the 2uties of their respective Offices, and he shall have o$er to grant &eprieves and ardons for Offences against the United States, e.cept in !ases of -mpeachment# %e shall have o$er, by and $ith the "dvice and !onsent of the Senate, to ma1e Treaties, provided t$o thirds of the Senators present concur/ and he shall nominate, and by and $ith the "dvice and !onsent of the Senate, shall appoint "mbassadors, other public 'inisters and !onsuls, Judges of the supreme !ourt, and all other Officers of the United States, $hose "ppointments are not herein other$ise provided for, and $hich shall be established by La$5 but the !ongress may by La$ vest the "ppointment of such inferior Officers, as they thin1 proper, in the resident alone, in the !ourts of La$, or in the %eads of 2epartments# The resident shall have o$er to fill up all 3acancies that may happen during the &ecess of the Senate, by granting !ommissions $hich shall e.pire at the )nd of their ne.t Session# Section. 3. %e shall from time to time give to the !ongress -nformation of the State of the Union, and recommend to their !onsideration such 'easures as he shall 6udge necessary and e.pedient/ he may, on e.traordinary Occasions, convene both %ouses, or either of them, and in !ase of 2isagreement bet$een them, $ith &espect to the Time of "d6ournment, he may ad6ourn them to such Time as he shall thin1 proper/ he shall receive "mbassadors and other public 'inisters/ he shall ta1e !are that the La$s be faithfully e.ecuted, and shall !ommission all the Officers of the United States# Section. 4. The resident, 3ice resident and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on -mpeachment for, and !onviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high !rimes and 'isdemeanors#

Article III.
Section. 1.

The 6udicial o$er of the United States shall be vested in one supreme !ourt, and in such inferior !ourts as the !ongress may from time to time ordain and establish# The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior !ourts, shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services a !ompensation, $hich shall not be diminished during their !ontinuance in Office# Section. 2. The 6udicial o$er shall e.tend to all !ases, in La$ and )quity, arising under this !onstitution, the La$s of the United States, and Treaties made, or $hich shall be made, under their "uthority/00to all !ases affecting "mbassadors, other public 'inisters and !onsuls/00to all !ases of admiralty and maritime Jurisdiction/00to !ontroversies to $hich the United States shall be a arty/00to !ontroversies bet$een t$o or more States/00 bet$een a State and !iti,ens of another State,00bet$een !iti,ens of different States,00bet$een !iti,ens of the same State claiming Lands under 4rants of different States, and bet$een a State, or the !iti,ens thereof, and foreign States, !iti,ens or Sub6ects# -n all !ases affecting "mbassadors, other public 'inisters and !onsuls, and those in $hich a State shall be arty, the supreme !ourt shall have original Jurisdiction# -n all the other !ases before mentioned, the supreme !ourt shall have appellate Jurisdiction, both as to La$ and 7act, $ith such ).ceptions, and under such &egulations as the !ongress shall ma1e# The Trial of all !rimes, e.cept in !ases of -mpeachment, shall be by Jury/ and such Trial shall be held in the State $here the said !rimes shall have been committed/ but $hen not committed $ithin any State, the Trial shall be at such lace or laces as the !ongress may by La$ have directed# Section. 3. Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their )nemies, giving them "id and !omfort# +o erson shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of t$o Witnesses to the same overt "ct, or on !onfession in open !ourt# The !ongress shall have o$er to declare the unishment of Treason, but no "ttainder of Treason shall $or1 !orruption of Blood, or 7orfeiture e.cept during the Life of the erson attainted#

Article. I&.
Section. 1. 7ull 7aith and !redit shall be given in each State to the public "cts, &ecords, and 6udicial roceedings of every other State# "nd the !ongress may by general La$s prescribe the 'anner in $hich such "cts, &ecords and roceedings shall be proved, and the )ffect thereof# Section. 2. The !iti,ens of each State shall be entitled to all rivileges and -mmunities of !iti,ens in the several States# " erson charged in any State $ith Treason, 7elony, or other !rime, $ho shall flee from Justice, and be found in another State, shall on 2emand of the e.ecutive "uthority of the State from $hich he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the State having Jurisdiction of the !rime# +o erson held to Service or Labour in one State, under the La$s thereof, escaping into another, shall, in !onsequence of any La$ or &egulation therein, be discharged from such Service or Labour, but shall be delivered up on !laim of the arty to $hom such Service or Labour may be due# Section. 3. +e$ States may be admitted by the !ongress into this Union/ but no ne$ State shall be formed or erected $ithin the Jurisdiction of any other State/ nor any State be formed by the Junction of t$o or more States, or arts of States, $ithout the !onsent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as $ell as of the !ongress#

The !ongress shall have o$er to dispose of and ma1e all needful &ules and &egulations respecting the Territory or other roperty belonging to the United States/ and nothing in this !onstitution shall be so construed as to re6udice any !laims of the United States, or of any particular State# Section. 4. The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a &epublican 7orm of 4overnment, and shall protect each of them against -nvasion/ and on "pplication of the Legislature, or of the ).ecutive 8$hen the Legislature cannot be convened9, against domestic 3iolence#

Article. &.
The !ongress, $henever t$o thirds of both %ouses shall deem it necessary, shall propose "mendments to this !onstitution, or, on the "pplication of the Legislatures of t$o thirds of the several States, shall call a !onvention for proposing "mendments, $hich, in either !ase, shall be valid to all -ntents and urposes, as art of this !onstitution, $hen ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by !onventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other 'ode of &atification may be proposed by the !ongress/ rovided that no "mendment $hich may be made prior to the (ear One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any 'anner affect the first and fourth !lauses in the +inth Section of the first "rticle/ and that no State, $ithout its !onsent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate#

Article. &I.
"ll 2ebts contracted and )ngagements entered into, before the "doption of this !onstitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this !onstitution, as under the !onfederation# This !onstitution, and the La$s of the United States $hich shall be made in ursuance thereof/ and all Treaties made, or $hich shall be made, under the "uthority of the United States, shall be the supreme La$ of the Land/ and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the !onstitution or La$s of any State to the !ontrary not$ithstanding# The Senators and &epresentatives before mentioned, and the 'embers of the several State Legislatures, and all e.ecutive and 6udicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or "ffirmation, to support this !onstitution/ but no religious Test shall ever be required as a *ualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States#

Article. &II.
The &atification of the !onventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the )stablishment of this !onstitution bet$een the States so ratifying the Same# The Word, <the,< being interlined bet$een the seventh and eighth Lines of the first age, the Word <Thirty< being partly $ritten on an )ra,ure in the fifteenth Line of the first age, The Words <is tried< being interlined bet$een the thirty second and thirty third Lines of the first age and the Word <the< being interlined bet$een the forty third and forty fourth Lines of the second age# "ttest William Jac1son Secretary done in !onvention by the Unanimous !onsent of the States present the Seventeenth 2ay of September in the (ear of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and )ighty seven and of the -ndependance of the United States of "merica the T$elfth -n $itness $hereof We have hereunto subscribed our +ames, 4=# Washington Presidt and deputy from Virginia 'ela(are 4eo5 &ead 4unning Bedford 6un John 2ic1inson

&ichard Bassett Jaco5 Broom )ar*land James 'c%enry 2an of St Thos# Jenifer 2anl# !arroll &ir+inia John Blair James 'adison Jr# North Carolina Wm# Blount &ichd# 2obbs Spaight %u Williamson South Carolina J# &utledge !harles !otes$orth inc1ney !harles inc1ney ierce Butler ,eor+ia William 7e$ "br Bald$in Ne( -a.pshire John Langdon +icholas 4ilman )assachusetts +athaniel 4orham &ufus :ing Connecticut Wm# Saml# Johnson &oger Sherman Ne( /or0 "le.ander %amilton Ne( 1erse* Wil5 Livingston 2avid Brearley Wm# aterson Jona5 2ayton Penns*l2ania B 7ran1lin Thomas 'ifflin &obt# 'orris 4eo# !lymer Thos# 7it,Simons Jared -ngersoll James Wilson 4ouv 'orris

The 3ill of 4i+hts: A Transcription The reamble to The Bill of &ights Con+ress of the United States begun and held at the !ity of +e$0(or1, on Wednesday the fourth of 'arch, one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine# T-5 !onventions of a number of the States, having at the time of their adopting the !onstitution, e.pressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its po$ers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added5 "nd as e.tending the ground of public confidence in the 4overnment, $ill best ensure the beneficent ends of its institution# 45S67&5' by the Senate and %ouse of &epresentatives of the United States of "merica, in !ongress assembled, t$o thirds of both %ouses concurring, that the follo$ing "rticles be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as amendments to the !onstitution of the United States, all, or any of $hich "rticles, $hen ratified by three fourths of the said Legislatures, to be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of the said !onstitution/ vi,# A4TIC75S in addition to, and "mendment of the !onstitution of the United States of "merica, proposed by !ongress, and ratified by the Legislatures of the several States, pursuant to the fifth "rticle of the original !onstitution# Note5 The follo$ing te.t is a transcription of the first ten amendments to the !onstitution in their original form# These amendments $ere ratified 2ecember >?, >@A>, and form $hat is 1no$n as the <Bill of &ights#< A.end.ent I !ongress shall ma1e no la$ respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free e.ercise thereof/ or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press/ or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the 4overnment for a redress of grievances# A.end.ent II " $ell regulated 'ilitia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to 1eep and bear "rms, shall not be infringed# A.end.ent III +o Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, $ithout the consent of the O$ner, nor in time of $ar, but in a manner to be prescribed by la$# A.end.ent I& The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and sei,ures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be sei,ed# A.end.ent & +o person shall be held to ans$er for a capital, or other$ise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a 4rand Jury, e.cept in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the 'ilitia, $hen in actual service in time of War or public danger/ nor shall any person be sub6ect for the same offence to be t$ice put in 6eopardy of life or limb/ nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a $itness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, $ithout due process of la$/ nor shall private property be ta1en for public use, $ithout 6ust compensation# A.end.ent &I

-n all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall en6oy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial 6ury of the State and district $herein the crime shall have been committed, $hich district shall have been previously ascertained by la$, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation/ to be confronted $ith the $itnesses against him/ to have compulsory process for obtaining $itnesses in his favor, and to have the "ssistance of !ounsel for his defence# A.end.ent &II -n Suits at common la$, $here the value in controversy shall e.ceed t$enty dollars, the right of trial by 6ury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a 6ury, shall be other$ise re0e.amined in any !ourt of the United States, than according to the rules of the common la$# A.end.ent &III ).cessive bail shall not be required, nor e.cessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted# A.end.ent I8 The enumeration in the !onstitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people# A.end.ent 8 The po$ers not delegated to the United States by the !onstitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people#

The Constitution: A.end.ents 1192" !onstitutional "mendments >0>B ma1e up $hat is 1no$n as The Bill of &ights# "mendments >>0C@ are listed belo$# A)5N')5NT 8I Passed by Congress March 4, 1 !4. "atified #ebruary , 1 !$. Note5 "rticle ---, section C, of the !onstitution $as modified by amendment >># The Judicial po$er of the United States shall not be construed to e.tend to any suit in la$ or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by !iti,ens of another State, or by !iti,ens or Sub6ects of any 7oreign State# A)5N')5NT 8II Passed by Congress %ecember !, 1&'(. "atified )une 1$, 1&'4. Note5 " portion of "rticle --, section > of the !onstitution $as superseded by the >Cth amendment# The )lectors shall meet in their respective states and vote by ballot for resident and 3ice0 resident, one of $hom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state $ith themselves/ they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as resident, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as 3ice0 resident, and they shall ma1e distinct lists of all persons voted for as resident, and of all persons voted for as 3ice0 resident, and of the number of votes for each, $hich lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the resident of the Senate/ 00 the resident of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and %ouse of &epresentatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall then be counted/ 00 The person having the greatest number of votes for resident, shall be the resident, if such number be a ma6ority of the $hole number of )lectors appointed/ and if no person have such ma6ority, then from the persons having the highest numbers not e.ceeding three on the list of those voted for as resident, the %ouse of &epresentatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the resident# But in choosing the resident, the votes shall be ta1en by states, the representation from each state having one vote/ a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from t$o0thirds of the states, and a ma6ority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice# D"nd if the %ouse of &epresentatives shall not choose a resident $henever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of 'arch ne.t follo$ing, then the 3ice0 resident shall act as resident, as in case of the death or other constitutional disability of the resident# 00EF The person having the greatest number of votes as 3ice0 resident, shall be the 3ice0 resident, if such number be a ma6ority of the $hole number of )lectors appointed, and if no person have a ma6ority, then from the t$o highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose the 3ice0 resident/ a quorum for the purpose shall consist of t$o0 thirds of the $hole number of Senators, and a ma6ority of the $hole number shall be necessary to a choice# But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of resident shall be eligible to that of 3ice0 resident of the United States# F*uperseded by section ( of the +'th amendment. A)5N')5NT 8III Passed by Congress )anuary (1, 1&,$. "atified %ecember ,, 1&,$.

Note5 " portion of "rticle -3, section C, of the !onstitution $as superseded by the >Gth amendment# Section 1. +either slavery nor involuntary servitude, e.cept as a punishment for crime $hereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall e.ist $ithin the United States, or any place sub6ect to their 6urisdiction# Section 2. !ongress shall have po$er to enforce this article by appropriate legislation# A)5N')5NT 8I& Passed by Congress )une 1(, 1&,,. "atified )uly !, 1&,&. Note5 "rticle -, section C, of the !onstitution $as modified by section C of the >Hth amendment# Section 1. "ll persons born or naturali,ed in the United States, and sub6ect to the 6urisdiction thereof, are citi,ens of the United States and of the State $herein they reside# +o State shall ma1e or enforce any la$ $hich shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citi,ens of the United States/ nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, $ithout due process of la$/ nor deny to any person $ithin its 6urisdiction the equal protection of the la$s# Section 2. &epresentatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the $hole number of persons in each State, e.cluding -ndians not ta.ed# But $hen the right to vote at any election for the choice of electors for resident and 3ice0 resident of the United States, &epresentatives in !ongress, the ).ecutive and Judicial officers of a State, or the members of the Legislature thereof, is denied to any of the male inhabitants of such State, being t$enty0one years of age,F and citi,ens of the United States, or in any $ay abridged, e.cept for participation in rebellion, or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion $hich the number of such male citi,ens shall bear to the $hole number of male citi,ens t$enty0one years of age in such State# Section 3. +o person shall be a Senator or &epresentative in !ongress, or elector of resident and 3ice0 resident, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, $ho, having previously ta1en an oath, as a member of !ongress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an e.ecutive or 6udicial officer of any State, to support the !onstitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof# But !ongress may by a vote of t$o0thirds of each %ouse, remove such disability# Section 4. The validity of the public debt of the United States, authori,ed by la$, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned# But neither the United States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave/ but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void# Section . The !ongress shall have the po$er to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article# FChanged by section 1 of the +,th amendment.

A)5N')5NT 8& Passed by Congress #ebruary +,, 1&,!. "atified #ebruary (, 1& '. Section 1. The right of citi,ens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude00 Section 2. The !ongress shall have the po$er to enforce this article by appropriate legislation# A)5N')5NT 8&I Passed by Congress )uly +, 1!'!. "atified #ebruary (, 1!1(. Note5 "rticle -, section A, of the !onstitution $as modified by amendment >I# The !ongress shall have po$er to lay and collect ta.es on incomes, from $hatever source derived, $ithout apportionment among the several States, and $ithout regard to any census or enumeration# A)5N')5NT 8&II Passed by Congress May 1(, 1!1+. "atified -pril &, 1!1(. Note5 "rticle -, section G, of the !onstitution $as modified by the >@th amendment# The Senate of the United States shall be composed of t$o Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for si. years/ and each Senator shall have one vote# The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislatures# When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the e.ecutive authority of such State shall issue $rits of election to fill such vacancies5 Pro.ided, That the legislature of any State may empo$er the e.ecutive thereof to ma1e temporary appointments until 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 before it becomes valid as part of the !onstitution# A)5N')5NT 8&III Passed by Congress %ecember 1&, 1!1 . "atified )anuary 1,, 1!1!. "epealed by amendment +1. Section 1. "fter one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of into.icating liquors $ithin, the importation thereof into, or the e.portation thereof from the United States and all territory sub6ect to the 6urisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited# Section 2. The !ongress and the several States shall have concurrent po$er to enforce this article by appropriate legislation# Section 3. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the !onstitution by the legislatures of the several States, as provided in the !onstitution, $ithin seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the !ongress#

A)5N')5NT 8I8 Passed by Congress )une 4, 1!1!. "atified -ugust 1&, 1!+'. The right of citi,ens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of se.# !ongress shall have po$er to enforce this article by appropriate legislation# A)5N')5NT 88 Passed by Congress March +, 1!(+. "atified )anuary +(, 1!((. Note5 "rticle -, section H, of the !onstitution $as modified by section C of this amendment# -n addition, a portion of the >Cth amendment $as superseded by section G# Section 1. The terms of the resident and the 3ice resident shall end at noon on the CBth day of January, and the terms of Senators and &epresentatives at noon on the Grd day of January, of the years in $hich such terms $ould have ended if this article had not been ratified/ and the terms of their successors shall then begin# Section 2. The !ongress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall begin at noon on the Gd day of January, unless they shall by la$ appoint a different day# Section 3. -f, at the time fi.ed for the beginning of the term of the resident, the resident elect shall have died, the 3ice resident elect shall become resident# -f a resident shall not have been chosen before the time fi.ed for the beginning of his term, or if the resident elect shall have failed to qualify, then the 3ice resident elect shall act as resident until a resident shall have qualified/ and the !ongress may by la$ provide for the case $herein neither a resident elect nor a 3ice resident shall have qualified, declaring $ho shall then act as resident, or the manner in $hich one $ho is to act shall be selected, and such person shall act accordingly until a resident or 3ice resident shall have qualified# Section 4. The !ongress may by la$ provide for the case of the death of any of the persons from $hom the %ouse of &epresentatives may choose a resident $henever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them, and for the case of the death of any of the persons from $hom the Senate may choose a 3ice resident $henever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them# Section . Sections > and C shall ta1e effect on the >?th day of October follo$ing the ratification of this article# Section !. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the !onstitution by the legislatures of three0fourths of the several States $ithin seven years from the date of its submission# A)5N')5NT 88I Passed by Congress #ebruary +', 1!((. "atified %ecember $, 1!((. Section 1. The eighteenth article of amendment to the !onstitution of the United States is hereby repealed# Section 2. The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, or ossession of the United States for

delivery or use therein of into.icating liquors, in violation of the la$s thereof, is hereby prohibited# Section 3. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the !onstitution by conventions in the several States, as provided in the !onstitution, $ithin seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the !ongress# A)5N')5NT 88II Passed by Congress March +1, 1!4 . "atified #ebruary + , 1!$1. Section 1. +o person shall be elected to the office of the resident more than t$ice, and no person $ho has held the office of resident, or acted as resident, for more than t$o years of a term to $hich some other person $as elected resident shall be elected to the office of resident more than once# But this "rticle shall not apply to any person holding the office of resident $hen this "rticle $as proposed by !ongress, and shall not prevent any person $ho may be holding the office of resident, or acting as resident, during the term $ithin $hich this "rticle becomes operative from holding the office of resident or acting as resident during the remainder of such term# Section 2. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the !onstitution by the legislatures of three0fourths of the several States $ithin seven years from the date of its submission to the States by the !ongress# A)5N')5NT 88III Passed by Congress )une 1,, 1!,'. "atified March +!, 1!,1. Section 1. The 2istrict constituting the seat of 4overnment of the United States shall appoint in such manner as !ongress may direct5 " number of electors of resident and 3ice resident equal to the $hole number of Senators and &epresentatives in !ongress to $hich the 2istrict $ould be entitled if it $ere a State, but in no event more than the least populous State/ they shall be in addition to those appointed by the States, but they shall be considered, for the purposes of the election of resident and 3ice resident, to be electors appointed by a State/ and they shall meet in the 2istrict and perform such duties as provided by the t$elfth article of amendment# Section 2. The !ongress shall have po$er to enforce this article by appropriate legislation# A)5N')5NT 88I& Passed by Congress -ugust + , 1!,+. "atified )anuary +(, 1!,4. Section 1. The right of citi,ens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for resident or 3ice resident, for electors for resident or 3ice resident, or for Senator or &epresentative in !ongress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State by reason of failure to pay poll ta. or other ta.# Section 2. The !ongress shall have po$er to enforce this article by appropriate legislation#

A)5N')5NT 88& Passed by Congress )uly ,, 1!,$. "atified #ebruary 1', 1!, . Note5 "rticle --, section >, of the !onstitution $as affected by the C?th amendment# Section 1. -n case of the removal of the resident from office or of his death or resignation, the 3ice resident shall become resident# Section 2. Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the 3ice resident, the resident shall nominate a 3ice resident $ho shall ta1e office upon confirmation by a ma6ority vote of both %ouses of !ongress# Section 3. Whenever the resident transmits to the resident pro tempore of the Senate and the Spea1er of the %ouse of &epresentatives his $ritten declaration that he is unable to discharge the po$ers and duties of his office, and until he transmits to them a $ritten declaration to the contrary, such po$ers and duties shall be discharged by the 3ice resident as "cting resident# Section 4. Whenever the 3ice resident and a ma6ority of either the principal officers of the e.ecutive departments or of such other body as !ongress may by la$ provide, transmit to the resident pro tempore of the Senate and the Spea1er of the %ouse of &epresentatives their $ritten declaration that the resident is unable to discharge the po$ers and duties of his office, the 3ice resident shall immediately assume the po$ers and duties of the office as "cting resident# Thereafter, $hen the resident transmits to the resident pro tempore of the Senate and the Spea1er of the %ouse of &epresentatives his $ritten declaration that no inability e.ists, he shall resume the po$ers and duties of his office unless the 3ice resident and a ma6ority of either the principal officers of the e.ecutive department or of such other body as !ongress may by la$ provide, transmit $ithin four days to the resident pro tempore of the Senate and the Spea1er of the %ouse of &epresentatives their $ritten declaration that the resident is unable to discharge the po$ers and duties of his office# Thereupon !ongress shall decide the issue, assembling $ithin forty0eight hours for that purpose if not in session# -f the !ongress, $ithin t$enty0one days after receipt of the latter $ritten declaration, or, if !ongress is not in session, $ithin t$enty0 one days after !ongress is required to assemble, determines by t$o0thirds vote of both %ouses that the resident is unable to discharge the po$ers and duties of his office, the 3ice resident shall continue to discharge the same as "cting resident/ other$ise, the resident shall resume the po$ers and duties of his office# A)5N')5NT 88&I Passed by Congress March +(, 1! 1. "atified )uly 1, 1! 1. Note5 "mendment >H, section C, of the !onstitution $as modified by section > of the CIth amendment# Section 1. The right of citi,ens of the United States, $ho are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age# Section 2. The !ongress shall have po$er to enforce this article by appropriate legislation# A)5N')5NT 88&II

/riginally proposed *ept. +$, 1 &!. "atified May , 1!!+. +o la$, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and &epresentatives, shall ta1e effect, until an election of representatives shall have intervened#