1*357f1050SThomas Veerman 2*357f1050SThomas Veerman THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION 3*357f1050SThomas Veerman _________________________________________________________________ 4*357f1050SThomas Veerman 5*357f1050SThomas Veerman (See Note 1) 6*357f1050SThomas Veerman 7*357f1050SThomas Veerman We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect 8*357f1050SThomas Veerman Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the 9*357f1050SThomas Veerman common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings 10*357f1050SThomas Veerman of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish 11*357f1050SThomas Veerman this Constitution for the United States of America. 12*357f1050SThomas Veerman 13*357f1050SThomas VeermanArticle. I. 14*357f1050SThomas Veerman 15*357f1050SThomas Veerman Section 1. 16*357f1050SThomas Veerman 17*357f1050SThomas Veerman All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of 18*357f1050SThomas Veerman the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of 19*357f1050SThomas Veerman Representatives. 20*357f1050SThomas Veerman 21*357f1050SThomas Veerman Section. 2. 22*357f1050SThomas Veerman 23*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 1: The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members 24*357f1050SThomas Veerman chosen every second Year by the People of the several States, and the 25*357f1050SThomas Veerman Electors in each State shall have the Qualifications requisite for 26*357f1050SThomas Veerman Electors of the most numerous Branch of the State Legislature. 27*357f1050SThomas Veerman 28*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 2: No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have 29*357f1050SThomas Veerman attained to the Age of twenty five Years, and been seven Years a 30*357f1050SThomas Veerman Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an 31*357f1050SThomas Veerman Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen. 32*357f1050SThomas Veerman 33*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 3: Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among 34*357f1050SThomas Veerman the several States which may be included within this Union, according 35*357f1050SThomas Veerman to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to 36*357f1050SThomas Veerman the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for 37*357f1050SThomas Veerman a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all 38*357f1050SThomas Veerman other Persons. (See Note 2) The actual Enumeration shall be made 39*357f1050SThomas Veerman within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the 40*357f1050SThomas Veerman United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such 41*357f1050SThomas Veerman Manner as they shall by Law direct. The Number of Representatives 42*357f1050SThomas Veerman shall not exceed one for every thirty Thousand, but each State shall 43*357f1050SThomas Veerman have at Least one Representative; and until such enumeration shall be 44*357f1050SThomas Veerman made, the State of New Hampshire shall be entitled to chuse three, 45*357f1050SThomas Veerman Massachusetts eight, Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations one, 46*357f1050SThomas Veerman Connecticut five, New-York six, New Jersey four, Pennsylvania eight, 47*357f1050SThomas Veerman Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten, North Carolina five, South 48*357f1050SThomas Veerman Carolina five, and Georgia three. 49*357f1050SThomas Veerman 50*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 4: When vacancies happen in the Representation from any State, 51*357f1050SThomas Veerman the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill 52*357f1050SThomas Veerman such Vacancies. 53*357f1050SThomas Veerman 54*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 5: The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and 55*357f1050SThomas Veerman other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment. 56*357f1050SThomas Veerman 57*357f1050SThomas Veerman Section. 3. 58*357f1050SThomas Veerman 59*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 1: The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two 60*357f1050SThomas Veerman Senators from each State, chosen by the Legislature thereof, (See Note 61*357f1050SThomas Veerman 3) for six Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote. 62*357f1050SThomas Veerman 63*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 2: Immediately after they shall be assembled in Consequence of 64*357f1050SThomas Veerman the first Election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into 65*357f1050SThomas Veerman three Classes. The Seats of the Senators of the first Class shall be 66*357f1050SThomas Veerman vacated at the Expiration of the second Year, of the second Class at 67*357f1050SThomas Veerman the Expiration of the fourth Year, and of the third Class at the 68*357f1050SThomas Veerman Expiration of the sixth Year, so that one third may be chosen every 69*357f1050SThomas Veerman second Year; and if Vacancies happen by Resignation, or otherwise, 70*357f1050SThomas Veerman during the Recess of the Legislature of any State, the Executive 71*357f1050SThomas Veerman thereof may make temporary Appointments until the next Meeting of the 72*357f1050SThomas Veerman Legislature, which shall then fill such Vacancies. (See Note 4) 73*357f1050SThomas Veerman 74*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 3: No Person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to 75*357f1050SThomas Veerman the Age of thirty Years, and been nine Years a Citizen of the United 76*357f1050SThomas Veerman States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that 77*357f1050SThomas Veerman State for which he shall be chosen. 78*357f1050SThomas Veerman 79*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 4: The Vice President of the United States shall be President 80*357f1050SThomas Veerman of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided. 81*357f1050SThomas Veerman 82*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 5: The Senate shall chuse their other Officers, and also a 83*357f1050SThomas Veerman President pro tempore, in the Absence of the Vice President, or when 84*357f1050SThomas Veerman he shall exercise the Office of President of the United States. 85*357f1050SThomas Veerman 86*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 6: The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all 87*357f1050SThomas Veerman Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or 88*357f1050SThomas Veerman Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the 89*357f1050SThomas Veerman Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without 90*357f1050SThomas Veerman the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present. 91*357f1050SThomas Veerman 92*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 7: Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further 93*357f1050SThomas Veerman than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy 94*357f1050SThomas Veerman any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States: but the 95*357f1050SThomas Veerman Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to 96*357f1050SThomas Veerman Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law. 97*357f1050SThomas Veerman 98*357f1050SThomas Veerman Section. 4. 99*357f1050SThomas Veerman 100*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 1: The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for 101*357f1050SThomas Veerman Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the 102*357f1050SThomas Veerman Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or 103*357f1050SThomas Veerman alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of chusing Senators. 104*357f1050SThomas Veerman 105*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 2: The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year, and 106*357f1050SThomas Veerman such Meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, (See Note 5) 107*357f1050SThomas Veerman unless they shall by Law appoint a different Day. 108*357f1050SThomas Veerman 109*357f1050SThomas Veerman Section. 5. 110*357f1050SThomas Veerman 111*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 1: Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and 112*357f1050SThomas Veerman Qualifications of its own Members, and a Majority of each shall 113*357f1050SThomas Veerman constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller Number may adjourn 114*357f1050SThomas Veerman from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the Attendance of 115*357f1050SThomas Veerman absent Members, in such Manner, and under such Penalties as each House 116*357f1050SThomas Veerman may provide. 117*357f1050SThomas Veerman 118*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 2: Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, 119*357f1050SThomas Veerman punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour, and, with the Concurrence 120*357f1050SThomas Veerman of two thirds, expel a Member. 121*357f1050SThomas Veerman 122*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 3: Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from 123*357f1050SThomas Veerman time to time publish the same, excepting such Parts as may in their 124*357f1050SThomas Veerman Judgment require Secrecy; and the Yeas and Nays of the Members of 125*357f1050SThomas Veerman either House on any question shall, at the Desire of one fifth of 126*357f1050SThomas Veerman those Present, be entered on the Journal. 127*357f1050SThomas Veerman 128*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 4: Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall, 129*357f1050SThomas Veerman without the Consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, 130*357f1050SThomas Veerman nor to any other Place than that in which the two Houses shall be 131*357f1050SThomas Veerman sitting. 132*357f1050SThomas Veerman 133*357f1050SThomas Veerman Section. 6. 134*357f1050SThomas Veerman 135*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 1: The Senators and Representatives shall receive a 136*357f1050SThomas Veerman Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid 137*357f1050SThomas Veerman out of the Treasury of the United States. (See Note 6) They shall in 138*357f1050SThomas Veerman all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, 139*357f1050SThomas Veerman beprivileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of 140*357f1050SThomas Veerman their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; 141*357f1050SThomas Veerman and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be 142*357f1050SThomas Veerman questioned in any other Place. 143*357f1050SThomas Veerman 144*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 2: No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for 145*357f1050SThomas Veerman which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the 146*357f1050SThomas Veerman Authority of the United States, which shall have been created, or the 147*357f1050SThomas Veerman Emoluments whereof shall have been encreased during such time; and no 148*357f1050SThomas Veerman Person holding any Office under the United States, shall be a Member 149*357f1050SThomas Veerman of either House during his Continuance in Office. 150*357f1050SThomas Veerman 151*357f1050SThomas Veerman Section. 7. 152*357f1050SThomas Veerman 153*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 1: All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House 154*357f1050SThomas Veerman of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with 155*357f1050SThomas Veerman Amendments as on other Bills. 156*357f1050SThomas Veerman 157*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 2: Every Bill which shall have passed the House of 158*357f1050SThomas Veerman Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be 159*357f1050SThomas Veerman presented to the President of the United States; If he approve he 160*357f1050SThomas Veerman shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to 161*357f1050SThomas Veerman that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the 162*357f1050SThomas Veerman Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If 163*357f1050SThomas Veerman after such Reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree to 164*357f1050SThomas Veerman pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together with the Objections, to the 165*357f1050SThomas Veerman other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if 166*357f1050SThomas Veerman approved by two thirds of that House, it shall become a Law. But in 167*357f1050SThomas Veerman all such Cases the Votes of both Houses shall be determined by yeas 168*357f1050SThomas Veerman and Nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for and against the Bill 169*357f1050SThomas Veerman shall be entered on the Journal of each House respectively. If any 170*357f1050SThomas Veerman Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays 171*357f1050SThomas Veerman excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be 172*357f1050SThomas Veerman a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by 173*357f1050SThomas Veerman their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a 174*357f1050SThomas Veerman Law. 175*357f1050SThomas Veerman 176*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 3: Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the Concurrence of 177*357f1050SThomas Veerman the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a 178*357f1050SThomas Veerman question of Adjournment) shall be presented to the President of the 179*357f1050SThomas Veerman United States; and before the Same shall take Effect, shall be 180*357f1050SThomas Veerman approved by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two 181*357f1050SThomas Veerman thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the 182*357f1050SThomas Veerman Rules and Limitations prescribed in the Case of a Bill. 183*357f1050SThomas Veerman 184*357f1050SThomas Veerman Section. 8. 185*357f1050SThomas Veerman 186*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 1: The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, 187*357f1050SThomas Veerman Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the 188*357f1050SThomas Veerman common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all 189*357f1050SThomas Veerman Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United 190*357f1050SThomas Veerman States; 191*357f1050SThomas Veerman 192*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 2: To borrow Money on the credit of the United States; 193*357f1050SThomas Veerman 194*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 3: To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the 195*357f1050SThomas Veerman several States, and with the Indian Tribes; 196*357f1050SThomas Veerman 197*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 4: To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform 198*357f1050SThomas Veerman Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States; 199*357f1050SThomas Veerman 200*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 5: To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign 201*357f1050SThomas Veerman Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures; 202*357f1050SThomas Veerman 203*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 6: To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the 204*357f1050SThomas Veerman Securities and current Coin of the United States; 205*357f1050SThomas Veerman 206*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 7: To establish Post Offices and post Roads; 207*357f1050SThomas Veerman 208*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 8: To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by 209*357f1050SThomas Veerman securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive 210*357f1050SThomas Veerman Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries; 211*357f1050SThomas Veerman 212*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 9: To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court; 213*357f1050SThomas Veerman 214*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 10: To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the 215*357f1050SThomas Veerman high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations; 216*357f1050SThomas Veerman 217*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 11: To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and 218*357f1050SThomas Veerman make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water; 219*357f1050SThomas Veerman 220*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 12: To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money 221*357f1050SThomas Veerman to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years; 222*357f1050SThomas Veerman 223*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 13: To provide and maintain a Navy; 224*357f1050SThomas Veerman 225*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 14: To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land 226*357f1050SThomas Veerman and naval Forces; 227*357f1050SThomas Veerman 228*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 15: To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the 229*357f1050SThomas Veerman Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions; 230*357f1050SThomas Veerman 231*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 16: To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the 232*357f1050SThomas Veerman Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the 233*357f1050SThomas Veerman Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, 234*357f1050SThomas Veerman the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the 235*357f1050SThomas Veerman Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress; 236*357f1050SThomas Veerman 237*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 17: To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, 238*357f1050SThomas Veerman over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, byCession 239*357f1050SThomas Veerman of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat 240*357f1050SThomas Veerman of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority 241*357f1050SThomas Veerman over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the 242*357f1050SThomas Veerman State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, 243*357f1050SThomas Veerman Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings;--And 244*357f1050SThomas Veerman 245*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 18: To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for 246*357f1050SThomas Veerman carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers 247*357f1050SThomas Veerman vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or 248*357f1050SThomas Veerman in any Department or Officer thereof. 249*357f1050SThomas Veerman 250*357f1050SThomas Veerman Section. 9. 251*357f1050SThomas Veerman 252*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 1: The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the 253*357f1050SThomas Veerman States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be 254*357f1050SThomas Veerman prohibited by the Congress prior to the Year one thousand eight 255*357f1050SThomas Veerman hundred and eight, but a Tax or duty may be imposed on such 256*357f1050SThomas Veerman Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each Person. 257*357f1050SThomas Veerman 258*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 2: The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be 259*357f1050SThomas Veerman suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public 260*357f1050SThomas Veerman Safety may require it. 261*357f1050SThomas Veerman 262*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 3: No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed. 263*357f1050SThomas Veerman 264*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 4: No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in 265*357f1050SThomas Veerman Proportion to the Census or Enumeration herein before directed to be 266*357f1050SThomas Veerman taken. (See Note 7) 267*357f1050SThomas Veerman 268*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 5: No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any 269*357f1050SThomas Veerman State. 270*357f1050SThomas Veerman 271*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 6: No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce 272*357f1050SThomas Veerman or Revenue to the Ports of one State over those of another: nor shall 273*357f1050SThomas Veerman Vessels bound to, or from, one State, be obliged to enter, clear, or 274*357f1050SThomas Veerman pay Duties in another. 275*357f1050SThomas Veerman 276*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 7: No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in 277*357f1050SThomas Veerman Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and 278*357f1050SThomas Veerman Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be 279*357f1050SThomas Veerman published from time to time. 280*357f1050SThomas Veerman 281*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 8: No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: 282*357f1050SThomas Veerman And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, 283*357f1050SThomas Veerman without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, 284*357f1050SThomas Veerman Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or 285*357f1050SThomas Veerman foreign State. 286*357f1050SThomas Veerman 287*357f1050SThomas Veerman Section. 10. 288*357f1050SThomas Veerman 289*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 1: No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or 290*357f1050SThomas Veerman Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit 291*357f1050SThomas Veerman Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in 292*357f1050SThomas Veerman Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or 293*357f1050SThomas Veerman Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or grant any Title of 294*357f1050SThomas Veerman Nobility. 295*357f1050SThomas Veerman 296*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 2: No State shall, without the Consent of the Congress, lay any 297*357f1050SThomas Veerman Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports, except what may be absolutely 298*357f1050SThomas Veerman necessary for executing it's inspection Laws: and the net Produce of 299*357f1050SThomas Veerman all Duties and Imposts, laid by any State on Imports or Exports, shall 300*357f1050SThomas Veerman be for the Use of the Treasury of the United States; and all such Laws 301*357f1050SThomas Veerman shall be subject to the Revision and Controul of the Congress. 302*357f1050SThomas Veerman 303*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 3: No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any 304*357f1050SThomas Veerman Duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter 305*357f1050SThomas Veerman into any Agreement or Compact with another State, or with a foreign 306*357f1050SThomas Veerman Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent 307*357f1050SThomas Veerman Danger as will not admit of delay. 308*357f1050SThomas Veerman 309*357f1050SThomas VeermanArticle. II. 310*357f1050SThomas Veerman 311*357f1050SThomas Veerman Section. 1. 312*357f1050SThomas Veerman 313*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 1: The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the 314*357f1050SThomas Veerman United States of America. He shall hold his Office during the Term of 315*357f1050SThomas Veerman four Years, and, together with the Vice President, chosen for the same 316*357f1050SThomas Veerman Term, be elected, as follows 317*357f1050SThomas Veerman 318*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 2: Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature 319*357f1050SThomas Veerman thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of 320*357f1050SThomas Veerman Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the 321*357f1050SThomas Veerman Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or Person holding an 322*357f1050SThomas Veerman Office of Trust or Profit under the United States, shall be appointed 323*357f1050SThomas Veerman an Elector. 324*357f1050SThomas Veerman 325*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 3: The Electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote 326*357f1050SThomas Veerman by Ballot for two Persons, of whom one at least shall not be an 327*357f1050SThomas Veerman Inhabitant of the same State with themselves. And they shall make a 328*357f1050SThomas Veerman List of all the Persons voted for, and of the Number of Votes for 329*357f1050SThomas Veerman each; which List they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to 330*357f1050SThomas Veerman the Seat of the Government of the United States, directed to the 331*357f1050SThomas Veerman President of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall, in the 332*357f1050SThomas Veerman Presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the 333*357f1050SThomas Veerman Certificates, and the Votes shall then be counted. The Person having 334*357f1050SThomas Veerman the greatest Number of Votes shall be the President, if such Number be 335*357f1050SThomas Veerman a Majority of the whole Number of Electors appointed; and if there be 336*357f1050SThomas Veerman more than one who have such Majority, and have an equal Number of 337*357f1050SThomas Veerman Votes, then the House of Representatives shall immediately chuse by 338*357f1050SThomas Veerman Ballot one of them for President; and if no Person have a Majority, 339*357f1050SThomas Veerman then from the five highest on the List the said House shall in like 340*357f1050SThomas Veerman Manner chuse the President. But in chusing the President, the Votes 341*357f1050SThomas Veerman shall be taken by States, the Representation from each State having 342*357f1050SThomas Veerman one Vote; A quorum for this Purpose shall consist of a Member or 343*357f1050SThomas Veerman Members from two thirds of the States, and a Majority of all the 344*357f1050SThomas Veerman States shall be necessary to a Choice. In every Case, after the Choice 345*357f1050SThomas Veerman of the President, the Person having the greatest Number of Votes of 346*357f1050SThomas Veerman the Electors shall be the Vice President. But if there should remain 347*357f1050SThomas Veerman two or more who have equal Votes, the Senate shall chuse from them by 348*357f1050SThomas Veerman Ballot the Vice President. (See Note 8) 349*357f1050SThomas Veerman 350*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 4: The Congress may determine the Time of chusing the Electors, 351*357f1050SThomas Veerman and the Day on which they shall give their Votes; which Day shall be 352*357f1050SThomas Veerman the same throughout the United States. 353*357f1050SThomas Veerman 354*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 5: No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the 355*357f1050SThomas Veerman United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall 356*357f1050SThomas Veerman be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be 357*357f1050SThomas Veerman eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of 358*357f1050SThomas Veerman thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the 359*357f1050SThomas Veerman United States. 360*357f1050SThomas Veerman 361*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 6: In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of 362*357f1050SThomas Veerman his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers and 363*357f1050SThomas Veerman Duties of the said Office, (See Note 9) the Same shall devolve on the 364*357f1050SThomas Veerman VicePresident, and the Congress may by Law provide for the Case of 365*357f1050SThomas Veerman Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, both of the President and 366*357f1050SThomas Veerman Vice President, declaring what Officer shall then act as President, 367*357f1050SThomas Veerman and such Officer shall act accordingly, until the Disability be 368*357f1050SThomas Veerman removed, or a President shall be elected. 369*357f1050SThomas Veerman 370*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 7: The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his 371*357f1050SThomas Veerman Services, a Compensation, which shall neither be encreased nor 372*357f1050SThomas Veerman diminished during the Period for which he shall have been elected, and 373*357f1050SThomas Veerman he shall not receive within that Period any other Emolument from the 374*357f1050SThomas Veerman United States, or any of them. 375*357f1050SThomas Veerman 376*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 8: Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall 377*357f1050SThomas Veerman take the following Oath or Affirmation:--"I do solemnly swear (or 378*357f1050SThomas Veerman affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the 379*357f1050SThomas Veerman United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect 380*357f1050SThomas Veerman and defend the Constitution of the United States." 381*357f1050SThomas Veerman 382*357f1050SThomas Veerman Section. 2. 383*357f1050SThomas Veerman 384*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 1: The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and 385*357f1050SThomas Veerman Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, 386*357f1050SThomas Veerman when called into the actual Service of the United States; he may 387*357f1050SThomas Veerman require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of 388*357f1050SThomas Veerman the executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to the Duties of 389*357f1050SThomas Veerman their respective Offices, and he shall have Power to grant Reprieves 390*357f1050SThomas Veerman and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of 391*357f1050SThomas Veerman Impeachment. 392*357f1050SThomas Veerman 393*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 2: He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of 394*357f1050SThomas Veerman the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators 395*357f1050SThomas Veerman present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and 396*357f1050SThomas Veerman Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public 397*357f1050SThomas Veerman Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other 398*357f1050SThomas Veerman Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein 399*357f1050SThomas Veerman otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law: but the 400*357f1050SThomas Veerman Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as 401*357f1050SThomas Veerman they think proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in 402*357f1050SThomas Veerman the Heads of Departments. 403*357f1050SThomas Veerman 404*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 3: The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that 405*357f1050SThomas Veerman may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions 406*357f1050SThomas Veerman which shall expire at the End of their next Session. 407*357f1050SThomas Veerman 408*357f1050SThomas Veerman Section. 3. 409*357f1050SThomas Veerman 410*357f1050SThomas Veerman He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the 411*357f1050SThomas Veerman State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures 412*357f1050SThomas Veerman as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary 413*357f1050SThomas Veerman Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of 414*357f1050SThomas Veerman Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he 415*357f1050SThomas Veerman may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper; he shall 416*357f1050SThomas Veerman receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers; he shall take Care 417*357f1050SThomas Veerman that the Laws be faithfully executed, and shall Commission all the 418*357f1050SThomas Veerman Officers of the United States. 419*357f1050SThomas Veerman 420*357f1050SThomas Veerman Section. 4. 421*357f1050SThomas Veerman 422*357f1050SThomas Veerman The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United 423*357f1050SThomas Veerman States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and 424*357f1050SThomas Veerman Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and 425*357f1050SThomas Veerman Misdemeanors. 426*357f1050SThomas Veerman 427*357f1050SThomas VeermanArticle. III. 428*357f1050SThomas Veerman 429*357f1050SThomas Veerman Section. 1. 430*357f1050SThomas Veerman 431*357f1050SThomas Veerman The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one 432*357f1050SThomas Veerman supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from 433*357f1050SThomas Veerman time to time ordain and establish. The Judges, both of the supreme and 434*357f1050SThomas Veerman inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour, and 435*357f1050SThomas Veerman shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services, a Compensation, 436*357f1050SThomas Veerman which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office. 437*357f1050SThomas Veerman 438*357f1050SThomas Veerman Section. 2. 439*357f1050SThomas Veerman 440*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 1: The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in Law and 441*357f1050SThomas Veerman Equity, arising under this Constitution, the Laws of the United 442*357f1050SThomas Veerman States, and Treaties made, or which shall be made, under their 443*357f1050SThomas Veerman Authority;--to all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers 444*357f1050SThomas Veerman and Consuls;--to all Cases of admiralty and maritime Jurisdiction;--to 445*357f1050SThomas Veerman Controversies to which the United States shall be a Party;--to 446*357f1050SThomas Veerman Controversies between two or more States;--between a State and 447*357f1050SThomas Veerman Citizens of another State; (See Note 10)--between Citizens of 448*357f1050SThomas Veerman different States, --between Citizens of the same State claiming Lands 449*357f1050SThomas Veerman under Grants of different States, and between a State, or the Citizens 450*357f1050SThomas Veerman thereof, and foreign States, Citizens or Subjects. 451*357f1050SThomas Veerman 452*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 2: In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers 453*357f1050SThomas Veerman and Consuls, and those in which a State shall be Party, the supreme 454*357f1050SThomas Veerman Court shall have original Jurisdiction. In all the other Cases before 455*357f1050SThomas Veerman mentioned, the supreme Court shall have appellate Jurisdiction, both 456*357f1050SThomas Veerman as to Law and Fact, with such Exceptions, and under such Regulations 457*357f1050SThomas Veerman as the Congress shall make. 458*357f1050SThomas Veerman 459*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 3: The Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeachment, 460*357f1050SThomas Veerman shall be by Jury; and such Trial shall be held in the State where the 461*357f1050SThomas Veerman said Crimes shall have been committed; but when not committed within 462*357f1050SThomas Veerman any State, the Trial shall be at such Place or Places as the Congress 463*357f1050SThomas Veerman may by Law have directed. 464*357f1050SThomas Veerman 465*357f1050SThomas Veerman Section. 3. 466*357f1050SThomas Veerman 467*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 1: Treason against the United States, shall consist only in 468*357f1050SThomas Veerman levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them 469*357f1050SThomas Veerman Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the 470*357f1050SThomas Veerman Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in 471*357f1050SThomas Veerman open Court. 472*357f1050SThomas Veerman 473*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 2: The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of 474*357f1050SThomas Veerman Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, 475*357f1050SThomas Veerman or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted. 476*357f1050SThomas Veerman 477*357f1050SThomas VeermanArticle. IV. 478*357f1050SThomas Veerman 479*357f1050SThomas Veerman Section. 1. 480*357f1050SThomas Veerman 481*357f1050SThomas Veerman Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, 482*357f1050SThomas Veerman Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State. And the 483*357f1050SThomas Veerman Congress may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, 484*357f1050SThomas Veerman Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof. 485*357f1050SThomas Veerman 486*357f1050SThomas Veerman Section. 2. 487*357f1050SThomas Veerman 488*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 1: The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all 489*357f1050SThomas Veerman Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. 490*357f1050SThomas Veerman 491*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 2: A Person charged in any State with Treason, Felony, or other 492*357f1050SThomas Veerman Crime, who shall flee from Justice, and be found in another State, 493*357f1050SThomas Veerman shall on Demand of the executive Authority of the State from which he 494*357f1050SThomas Veerman fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the State having Jurisdiction 495*357f1050SThomas Veerman of the Crime. 496*357f1050SThomas Veerman 497*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 3: No Person held to Service or Labour in one State, under the 498*357f1050SThomas Veerman Laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in Consequence of any Law 499*357f1050SThomas Veerman or Regulation therein, be discharged from such Service or Labour, but 500*357f1050SThomas Veerman shall be delivered up on Claim of the Party to whom such Service or 501*357f1050SThomas Veerman Labour may be due. (See Note 11) 502*357f1050SThomas Veerman 503*357f1050SThomas Veerman Section. 3. 504*357f1050SThomas Veerman 505*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 1: New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; 506*357f1050SThomas Veerman but no new State shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of 507*357f1050SThomas Veerman any other State; nor any State be formed by the Junction of two or 508*357f1050SThomas Veerman more States, or Parts of States, without the Consent of the 509*357f1050SThomas Veerman Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the Congress. 510*357f1050SThomas Veerman 511*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 2: The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all 512*357f1050SThomas Veerman needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other 513*357f1050SThomas Veerman Property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this 514*357f1050SThomas Veerman Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the 515*357f1050SThomas Veerman United States, or of any particular State. 516*357f1050SThomas Veerman 517*357f1050SThomas Veerman Section. 4. 518*357f1050SThomas Veerman 519*357f1050SThomas Veerman The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a 520*357f1050SThomas Veerman Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against 521*357f1050SThomas Veerman Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive 522*357f1050SThomas Veerman (when the Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic Violence. 523*357f1050SThomas Veerman 524*357f1050SThomas VeermanArticle. V. 525*357f1050SThomas Veerman 526*357f1050SThomas Veerman The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it 527*357f1050SThomas Veerman necessary, shall propose [1]Amendments to this Constitution, or, on 528*357f1050SThomas Veerman the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several 529*357f1050SThomas Veerman States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in 530*357f1050SThomas Veerman either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of 531*357f1050SThomas Veerman this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths 532*357f1050SThomas Veerman of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as 533*357f1050SThomas Veerman the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the 534*357f1050SThomas Veerman Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the 535*357f1050SThomas Veerman Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect 536*357f1050SThomas Veerman the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first 537*357f1050SThomas Veerman Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of 538*357f1050SThomas Veerman its equal Suffrage in the Senate. 539*357f1050SThomas Veerman 540*357f1050SThomas VeermanArticle. VI. 541*357f1050SThomas Veerman 542*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 1: All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before 543*357f1050SThomas Veerman the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the 544*357f1050SThomas Veerman United States under this Constitution, as under the Confederation. 545*357f1050SThomas Veerman 546*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 2: This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which 547*357f1050SThomas Veerman shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which 548*357f1050SThomas Veerman shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the 549*357f1050SThomas Veerman supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound 550*357f1050SThomas Veerman thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the 551*357f1050SThomas Veerman Contrary notwithstanding. 552*357f1050SThomas Veerman 553*357f1050SThomas Veerman Clause 3: The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the 554*357f1050SThomas Veerman Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and 555*357f1050SThomas Veerman judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several 556*357f1050SThomas Veerman States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this 557*357f1050SThomas Veerman Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a 558*357f1050SThomas Veerman Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States. 559*357f1050SThomas Veerman 560*357f1050SThomas VeermanArticle. VII. 561*357f1050SThomas Veerman 562*357f1050SThomas Veerman The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be 563*357f1050SThomas Veerman sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the 564*357f1050SThomas Veerman States so ratifying the Same. 565*357f1050SThomas Veerman 566*357f1050SThomas Veerman done in Convention by the Unanimous Consent of the States present the 567*357f1050SThomas Veerman Seventeenth Day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand 568*357f1050SThomas Veerman seven hundred and Eighty seven and of the Independence of the United 569*357f1050SThomas Veerman States of America the Twelfth In witness whereof We have hereunto 570*357f1050SThomas Veerman subscribed our Names, 571*357f1050SThomas Veerman 572*357f1050SThomas Veerman GO WASHINGTON--Presidt. and deputy from Virginia 573*357f1050SThomas Veerman 574*357f1050SThomas Veerman [Signed also by the deputies of twelve States.] 575*357f1050SThomas Veerman 576*357f1050SThomas Veerman Delaware 577*357f1050SThomas Veerman 578*357f1050SThomas Veerman Geo: Read 579*357f1050SThomas Veerman Gunning Bedford jun 580*357f1050SThomas Veerman John Dickinson 581*357f1050SThomas Veerman Richard Bassett 582*357f1050SThomas Veerman Jaco: Broom 583*357f1050SThomas Veerman 584*357f1050SThomas Veerman Maryland 585*357f1050SThomas Veerman 586*357f1050SThomas Veerman James MCHenry 587*357f1050SThomas Veerman Dan of ST ThoS. Jenifer 588*357f1050SThomas Veerman DanL Carroll. 589*357f1050SThomas Veerman 590*357f1050SThomas Veerman Virginia 591*357f1050SThomas Veerman 592*357f1050SThomas Veerman John Blair-- 593*357f1050SThomas Veerman James Madison Jr. 594*357f1050SThomas Veerman 595*357f1050SThomas Veerman North Carolina 596*357f1050SThomas Veerman 597*357f1050SThomas Veerman WM Blount 598*357f1050SThomas Veerman RichD. Dobbs Spaight. 599*357f1050SThomas Veerman Hu Williamson 600*357f1050SThomas Veerman 601*357f1050SThomas Veerman South Carolina 602*357f1050SThomas Veerman 603*357f1050SThomas Veerman J. Rutledge 604*357f1050SThomas Veerman Charles 1ACotesworth Pinckney 605*357f1050SThomas Veerman Charles Pinckney 606*357f1050SThomas Veerman Pierce Butler. 607*357f1050SThomas Veerman 608*357f1050SThomas Veerman Georgia 609*357f1050SThomas Veerman 610*357f1050SThomas Veerman William Few 611*357f1050SThomas Veerman Abr Baldwin 612*357f1050SThomas Veerman 613*357f1050SThomas Veerman New Hampshire 614*357f1050SThomas Veerman 615*357f1050SThomas Veerman John Langdon 616*357f1050SThomas Veerman Nicholas Gilman 617*357f1050SThomas Veerman 618*357f1050SThomas Veerman Massachusetts 619*357f1050SThomas Veerman 620*357f1050SThomas Veerman Nathaniel Gorham 621*357f1050SThomas Veerman Rufus King 622*357f1050SThomas Veerman 623*357f1050SThomas Veerman Connecticut 624*357f1050SThomas Veerman WM. SamL. Johnson 625*357f1050SThomas Veerman Roger Sherman 626*357f1050SThomas Veerman 627*357f1050SThomas Veerman New York 628*357f1050SThomas Veerman 629*357f1050SThomas Veerman Alexander Hamilton 630*357f1050SThomas Veerman 631*357f1050SThomas Veerman New Jersey 632*357f1050SThomas Veerman 633*357f1050SThomas Veerman Wil: Livingston 634*357f1050SThomas Veerman David Brearley. 635*357f1050SThomas Veerman WM. Paterson. 636*357f1050SThomas Veerman Jona: Dayton 637*357f1050SThomas Veerman 638*357f1050SThomas Veerman Pennsylvania 639*357f1050SThomas Veerman 640*357f1050SThomas Veerman B Franklin 641*357f1050SThomas Veerman Thomas Mifflin 642*357f1050SThomas Veerman RobT Morris 643*357f1050SThomas Veerman Geo. Clymer 644*357f1050SThomas Veerman ThoS. FitzSimons 645*357f1050SThomas Veerman Jared Ingersoll 646*357f1050SThomas Veerman James Wilson. 647*357f1050SThomas Veerman Gouv Morris 648*357f1050SThomas Veerman 649*357f1050SThomas Veerman Attest William Jackson Secretary 650*357f1050SThomas Veerman 651*357f1050SThomas Veerman NOTES 652*357f1050SThomas Veerman 653*357f1050SThomas Veerman Note 1: This text of the Constitution follows the engrossed copy 654*357f1050SThomas Veerman signed by Gen. Washington and the deputies from 12 States. The small 655*357f1050SThomas Veerman superior figures preceding the paragraphs designate Clauses, and were 656*357f1050SThomas Veerman not in the original and have no reference to footnotes. 657*357f1050SThomas Veerman 658*357f1050SThomas Veerman The Constitution was adopted by a convention of the States on 659*357f1050SThomas Veerman September 17, 1787, and was subsequently ratified by the several 660*357f1050SThomas Veerman States, on the following dates: Delaware, December 7, 1787; 661*357f1050SThomas Veerman Pennsylvania, December 12, 1787; New Jersey, December 18, 1787; 662*357f1050SThomas Veerman Georgia, January 2, 1788; Connecticut, January 9, 1788; Massachusetts, 663*357f1050SThomas Veerman February 6, 1788; Maryland, April 28, 1788; South Carolina, May 23, 664*357f1050SThomas Veerman 1788; New Hampshire, June 21, 1788. 665*357f1050SThomas Veerman 666*357f1050SThomas Veerman Ratification was completed on June 21, 1788. 667*357f1050SThomas Veerman 668*357f1050SThomas Veerman The Constitution was subsequently ratified by Virginia, June 25, 1788; 669*357f1050SThomas Veerman New York, July 26, 1788; North Carolina, November 21, 1789; Rhode 670*357f1050SThomas Veerman Island, May 29, 1790; and Vermont, January 10, 1791. 671*357f1050SThomas Veerman 672*357f1050SThomas Veerman In May 1785, a committee of Congress made a report recommending an 673*357f1050SThomas Veerman alteration in the Articles of Confederation, but no action was taken 674*357f1050SThomas Veerman on it, and it was left to the State Legislatures to proceed in the 675*357f1050SThomas Veerman matter. In January 1786, the Legislature of Virginia passed a 676*357f1050SThomas Veerman resolution providing for the appointment of five commissioners, who, 677*357f1050SThomas Veerman or any three of them, should meet such commissioners as might be 678*357f1050SThomas Veerman appointed in the other States of the Union, at a time and place to be 679*357f1050SThomas Veerman agreed upon, to take into consideration the trade of the United 680*357f1050SThomas Veerman States; to consider how far a uniform system in their commercial 681*357f1050SThomas Veerman regulations may be necessary to their common interest and their 682*357f1050SThomas Veerman permanent harmony; and to report to the several States such an act, 683*357f1050SThomas Veerman relative to this great object, as, when ratified by them, will enable 684*357f1050SThomas Veerman the United States in Congress effectually to provide for the same. The 685*357f1050SThomas Veerman Virginia commissioners, after some correspondence, fixed the first 686*357f1050SThomas Veerman Monday in September as the time, and the city of Annapolis as the 687*357f1050SThomas Veerman place for the meeting, but only four other States were represented, 688*357f1050SThomas Veerman viz: Delaware, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania; the 689*357f1050SThomas Veerman commissioners appointed by Massachusetts, New Hampshire, North 690*357f1050SThomas Veerman Carolina, and Rhode Island failed to attend. Under the circumstances 691*357f1050SThomas Veerman of so partial a representation, the commissioners present agreed upon 692*357f1050SThomas Veerman a report, (drawn by Mr. Hamilton, of New York,) expressing their 693*357f1050SThomas Veerman unanimous conviction that it might essentially tend to advance the 694*357f1050SThomas Veerman interests of the Union if the States by which they were respectively 695*357f1050SThomas Veerman delegated would concur, and use their endeavors to procure the 696*357f1050SThomas Veerman concurrence of the other States, in the appointment of commissioners 697*357f1050SThomas Veerman to meet at Philadelphia on the Second Monday of May following, to take 698*357f1050SThomas Veerman into consideration the situation of the United States; to devise such 699*357f1050SThomas Veerman further provisions as should appear to them necessary to render the 700*357f1050SThomas Veerman Constitution of the Federal Government adequate to the exigencies of 701*357f1050SThomas Veerman the Union; and to report such an act for that purpose to the United 702*357f1050SThomas Veerman States in Congress assembled as, when agreed to by them and afterwards 703*357f1050SThomas Veerman confirmed by the Legislatures of every State, would effectually 704*357f1050SThomas Veerman provide for the same. 705*357f1050SThomas Veerman 706*357f1050SThomas Veerman Congress, on the 21st of February, 1787, adopted a resolution in favor 707*357f1050SThomas Veerman of a convention, and the Legislatures of those States which had not 708*357f1050SThomas Veerman already done so (with the exception of Rhode Island) promptly 709*357f1050SThomas Veerman appointed delegates. On the 25th of May, seven States having convened, 710*357f1050SThomas Veerman George Washington, of Virginia, was unanimously elected President, and 711*357f1050SThomas Veerman the consideration of the proposed constitution was commenced. On the 712*357f1050SThomas Veerman 17th of September, 1787, the Constitution as engrossed and agreed upon 713*357f1050SThomas Veerman was signed by all the members present, except Mr. Gerry of 714*357f1050SThomas Veerman Massachusetts, and Messrs. Mason and Randolph, of Virginia. The 715*357f1050SThomas Veerman president of the convention transmitted it to Congress, with a 716*357f1050SThomas Veerman resolution stating how the proposed Federal Government should be put 717*357f1050SThomas Veerman in operation, and an explanatory letter. Congress, on the 28th of 718*357f1050SThomas Veerman September, 1787, directed the Constitution so framed, with the 719*357f1050SThomas Veerman resolutions and letter concerning the same, to "be transmitted to the 720*357f1050SThomas Veerman several Legislatures in order to be submitted to a convention of 721*357f1050SThomas Veerman delegates chosen in each State by the people thereof, in conformity to 722*357f1050SThomas Veerman the resolves of the convention." 723*357f1050SThomas Veerman 724*357f1050SThomas Veerman On the 4th of March, 1789, the day which had been fixed for commencing 725*357f1050SThomas Veerman the operations of Government under the new Constitution, it had been 726*357f1050SThomas Veerman ratified by the conventions chosen in each State to consider it, as 727*357f1050SThomas Veerman follows: Delaware, December 7, 1787; Pennsylvania, December 12, 1787; 728*357f1050SThomas Veerman New Jersey, December 18, 1787; Georgia, January 2, 1788; Connecticut, 729*357f1050SThomas Veerman January 9, 1788; Massachusetts, February 6, 1788; Maryland, April 28, 730*357f1050SThomas Veerman 1788; South Carolina, May 23, 1788; New Hampshire, June 21, 1788; 731*357f1050SThomas Veerman Virginia, June 25, 1788; and New York, July 26, 1788. 732*357f1050SThomas Veerman 733*357f1050SThomas Veerman The President informed Congress, on the 28th of January, 1790, that 734*357f1050SThomas Veerman North Carolina had ratified the Constitution November 21, 1789; and he 735*357f1050SThomas Veerman informed Congress on the 1st of June, 1790, that Rhode Island had 736*357f1050SThomas Veerman ratified the Constitution May 29, 1790. Vermont, in convention, 737*357f1050SThomas Veerman ratified the Constitution January 10, 1791, and was, by an act of 738*357f1050SThomas Veerman Congress approved February 18, 1791, "received and admitted into this 739*357f1050SThomas Veerman Union as a new and entire member of the United States." 740*357f1050SThomas Veerman 741*357f1050SThomas Veerman Note 2: The part of this Clause relating to the mode of apportionment 742*357f1050SThomas Veerman of representatives among the several States has been affected by 743*357f1050SThomas Veerman Section 2 of amendment XIV, and as to taxes on incomes without 744*357f1050SThomas Veerman apportionment by amendment XVI. 745*357f1050SThomas Veerman 746*357f1050SThomas Veerman Note 3: This Clause has been affected by Clause 1 of amendment XVII. 747*357f1050SThomas Veerman 748*357f1050SThomas Veerman Note 4: This Clause has been affected by Clause 2 of amendment XVIII. 749*357f1050SThomas Veerman 750*357f1050SThomas Veerman Note 5: This Clause has been affected by amendment XX. 751*357f1050SThomas Veerman 752*357f1050SThomas Veerman Note 6: This Clause has been affected by amendment XXVII. 753*357f1050SThomas Veerman 754*357f1050SThomas Veerman Note 7: This Clause has been affected by amendment XVI. 755*357f1050SThomas Veerman 756*357f1050SThomas Veerman Note 8: This Clause has been superseded by amendment XII. 757*357f1050SThomas Veerman 758*357f1050SThomas Veerman Note 9: This Clause has been affected by amendment XXV. 759*357f1050SThomas Veerman 760*357f1050SThomas Veerman Note 10: This Clause has been affected by amendment XI. 761*357f1050SThomas Veerman 762*357f1050SThomas Veerman Note 11: This Clause has been affected by amendment XIII. 763*357f1050SThomas Veerman 764*357f1050SThomas Veerman Note 12: The first ten amendments to the Constitution of the United 765*357f1050SThomas Veerman States (and two others, one of which failed of ratification and the 766*357f1050SThomas Veerman other which later became the 27th amendment) were proposed to the 767*357f1050SThomas Veerman legislatures of the several States by the First Congress on September 768*357f1050SThomas Veerman 25, 1789. The first ten amendments were ratified by the following 769*357f1050SThomas Veerman States, and the notifications of ratification by the Governors thereof 770*357f1050SThomas Veerman were successively communicated by the President to Congress: New 771*357f1050SThomas Veerman Jersey, November 20, 1789; Maryland, December 19, 1789; North 772*357f1050SThomas Veerman Carolina, December 22, 1789; South Carolina, January 19, 1790; New 773*357f1050SThomas Veerman Hampshire, January 25, 1790; Delaware, January 28, 1790; New York, 774*357f1050SThomas Veerman February 24, 1790; Pennsylvania, March 10, 1790; Rhode Island, June 7, 775*357f1050SThomas Veerman 1790; Vermont, November 3, 1791; and Virginia, December 15, 1791. 776*357f1050SThomas Veerman 777*357f1050SThomas Veerman Ratification was completed on December 15, 1791. 778*357f1050SThomas Veerman 779*357f1050SThomas Veerman The amendments were subsequently ratified by the legislatures of 780*357f1050SThomas Veerman Massachusetts, March 2, 1939; Georgia, March 18, 1939; and 781*357f1050SThomas Veerman Connecticut, April 19, 1939. 782*357f1050SThomas Veerman 783*357f1050SThomas Veerman Note 13: Only the 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th articles of amendment had 784*357f1050SThomas Veerman numbers assigned to them at the time of ratification. 785*357f1050SThomas Veerman 786*357f1050SThomas Veerman Note 14: This sentence has been superseded by section 3 of amendment 787*357f1050SThomas Veerman XX. 788*357f1050SThomas Veerman 789*357f1050SThomas Veerman Note 15: See amendment XIX and section 1 of amendment XXVI. 790*357f1050SThomas Veerman 791*357f1050SThomas Veerman Note 16: Repealed by section 1 of amendment XXI. 792*357f1050SThomas Veerman 793*357f1050SThomas VeermanReferences 794*357f1050SThomas Veerman 795*357f1050SThomas Veerman 1. http://www.house.gov/Constitution/Amend.html 796