The Constitution of the United States of America: Analysis and Interpretation Part 8

Article. VII.

The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Const.i.tution between the States so ratifying the Same.

[Sidenote: The Word, "the," being interlined between the seventh and eighth Lines of the first Page, The Word "Thirty" being partly written on an Erazure in the fifteenth Line of the first Page, The Words "is tried" being interlined between the thirty second and thirty third Lines of the first Page and the Word "the" being interlined between the forty third and forty fourth Lines of the second Page.

Attest William Jackson Secretary]

done in Convention by the Unanimous Consent of the States present the Seventeenth Day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty seven and of the Independence of the United States of America the Twelfth In witness whereof We have hereunto subscribed our Names,

Go Was.h.i.+ngton--Presidt and deputy from Virginia

New Hamps.h.i.+re { John Langdon { Nicholas Gilman

Ma.s.sachusetts { Nathaniel Gorham { Rufus King

Connecticut { Wm: Saml. Johnson { Roger Sherman

New York : : : Alexander Hamilton

{ Wil: Livingston New Jersey { David Brearley.

{ Wm. Paterson.

{ Jona: Dayton

{ B Franklin { Thomas Mifflin { Robt Morris Pennsylvania { Geo. Clymer { Thos. FitzSimons { Jared Ingersoll { James Wilson { Gouv Morris

{ Geo: Read { Gunning Bedford jun Delaware { John d.i.c.kinson { Richard Ba.s.sett { Jaco: Broom

{ James McHenry Maryland { Dan of St Thos. Jenifer { Danl Carroll

Virginia { John Blair-- { James Madison Jr.

{ Wm. Blount North Carolina { Richd. Dobbs Spaight.

{ Hu Williamson

{ J. Rutledge South Carolina { Charles Cotesworth Pinckney { Charles Pinckney { Pierce Butler

Georgia { William Few { Abr Baldwin

In Convention Monday, September 17th 1787.

Present The States of

New Hamps.h.i.+re, Ma.s.sachusetts, Connecticut, Mr. Hamilton from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.

Resolved,

That the preceeding Const.i.tution be laid before the United States in Congress a.s.sembled, and that it is the Opinion of this Convention, that it should afterwards be submitted to a Convention of Delegates, chosen in each State by the People thereof, under the Recommendation of its Legislature, for their a.s.sent and Ratification; and that each Convention a.s.senting to, and ratifying the Same, should give Notice thereof to the United States in Congress a.s.sembled. Resolved, That it is the Opinion of this Convention, that as soon as the Conventions of nine States shall have ratified this Const.i.tution, the United States in Congress a.s.sembled should fix a Day on which Electors should be appointed by the States which shall have ratified the same, and a Day on which the Electors should a.s.semble to vote for the President, and the Time and Place for commencing Proceedings under this Const.i.tution. That after such Publication the Electors should be appointed, and the Senators and Representatives elected: That the Electors should meet on the Day fixed for the Election of the President, and should transmit their Votes certified, signed, sealed and directed, as the Const.i.tution requires, to the Secretary of the United States in Congress a.s.sembled, that the Senators and Representatives should convene at the Time and Place a.s.signed; that the Senators should appoint a President of the Senate, for the sole Purpose of receiving, opening and counting the Votes for President; and, that after he shall be chosen, the Congress, together with the President, should, without Delay, proceed to execute this Const.i.tution.

By the Unanimous Order of the Convention

Go. Was.h.i.+ngton Presidt

W. Jackson Secretary.

AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSt.i.tUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

ARTICLES IN ADDITION TO, AND AMENDMENT OF, THE CONSt.i.tUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, PROPOSED BY CONGRESS, AND RATIFIED BY THE SEVERAL STATES, PURSUANT TO THE FIFTH ARTICLE OF THE ORIGINAL CONSt.i.tUTION.[a]

Amendment [I.][b]

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to a.s.semble, and to pet.i.tion the Government for a redress of grievances.

Amendment [II.]

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Amendment [III.]

No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Amendment [IV.]

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, 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 seized.

Amendment [V.]

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Amendment [VI.]

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the a.s.sistance of Counsel for his defence.

Amendment [VII.]

In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.