object to be obtained. It is at all times difficult to draw with precision, the line between those rights which must be surrendered, and those which may be reserved; and on the present occasion, this difficulty was increased by a difference among the several States as to their situation, extent, habits, and particular interests.

4. In all our deliberations on this subject, we kept steadily in our view, that which appears to us the greatest interest of every true American, the consolidation of our Union, in which is involved our prosperity, felicity, safety, perhaps our national existence. This important consideration, seriously and deeply impressed on our minds, led each State in the Convention to be less rigid on points of inferior magnitude than might have been otherwise expected: and thus the Constitution, which we now present, is the result of a spirit of amity, and of that mutual deference and concession which the peculiarity of our political situation rendered indispensable.

5. That it will meet the full and entire approbation of every State, is not perhaps to be expected; but each will doubtless consider, that had her interests been alone consulted, the consequences might have been particularly disagreeable or injurious to others; that it is liable to as few exceptions as could reasonably have been expected, we hope and believe; that it may promote the lasting welfare of that country so dear to us all, and secure her freedom and happiness, is our most ardent wish.

With great respect we have the honor to be, Sir, your Excellency's most obedient, and humble servants.

GEORGE WASHINGTON, President.

By the unanimous order of the Convention.

HIS EXCELLENCY THE

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.}

3

AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION.

::0::

Amendments

[The Conventions of a number of States having, at the time of their adopting the to the Consti- Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of tution. its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added, Congress, at the Session begun and held at the City of New York, on Wednesday, the 4th of March, 1789, proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, twelve amendments, ten of which only were adopted. They are the ten first following.]

Congress prohibited from interfering

ARTICLE I.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridgwith religion, ing the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the

with freedom

of speech, of people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the governthe press, and

the right of ment for a redress of grievances.

petition.

Right of the people to keep and bear arms, &c.

No soldier to

ARTICLE 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.

ARTICLE III.

No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any be quartered house without the consent of the owner; nor in time of war, in any house,

during peace, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

without

sent, &c.

No search

con

sue, except on

ARTICLE IV.

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, warrant to is houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated; and no warrants shall issue, probable cause, oath, 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.

&c.

No person to

swer for a

on present

ARTICLE V.

No person shall be held to answer for a capital or otherbe held to an- wise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment crime, unless of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval ment, &c. ex- forces, or in the militia, when in actual service, in time of land or naval war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject, for forces, nor to the same offence, to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; offence nor shall be compelled, in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor to be deprived of life, liberty or prop

cept in the

answer for the

same

twice, &c.

erty, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation.

ARTICLE VI.

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the Assurance of speedy and right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of public trial by the State and district wherein the crime shall have been com- jury, &c. in criminal prosmitted, which district shall have been previously ascertained ecutions. 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 fayour; and to have the assistance of counsel for his defence.

ARTICLE VII.

In suits at common law, where the value in controversy Right of trial by jury in suits shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury, shall at common be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise value of 20 dolre-examined, in any Court of the United States, than accord- lars, &c. ing to the rules of the common law.

ARTICLE VIII.

Excessive bail,

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

ARTICLE IX.

cruel punishments prohib

ited.

enu

merated, not

The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights, shall Rights not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the to disparage people.

ARTICLE X.

those retained.

delegated, &c.

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Powers not Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved are reserved to to the States respectively, or to the people.

ARTICLE XI.

the States or people.

Judicial pow.

Art 3. Sec. 2.

The judicial power of the United States shall not be Restriction of construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commen- ers, [See ante, ced or prosecuted against one of the United States by citizens of another State, or by citizens or subjects of any foreign State.

ARTICLE XII.*

clause 1

[* See

ante,

Art. 2. Sec. 1.

Actual mode

1. The electors shall meet in their respective States, and clause 3.] vote, by ballot, for President and Vice President, one of of electing the whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same State Vice President with themselves; they shall name, in their ballots, the per- of the

President and

of the United

son voted for as President, and, in distinct ballots, the person voted for as Vice President; and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice President, and the number of votes for each; which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit, sealed, to the seat of the Government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate; the President of the Senate shall, in presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates, and the votes shall then be counted: the person having the greatest number of votes for President, shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed; and if no person have such majority, then, from the persons having the highest numbers, not exceeding three, on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose, immediately, by ballot, the President. But, in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by States, the representation from each State having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members, from two thirds of the States, and a majority of all the States shall be necessary to a choice. And if the House of Representatives shall not choose a President, whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March next following, then the Vice President shall act as President, as in the case of the death, or other constitutional disability of the President.

2. The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice President, shall be the Vice President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed; and if no person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice President: a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice.

3. But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President, shall be eligible to the office of Vice President of the United States.

[NOTE. The eleventh article of the Amendments to the Constitution, was proposed at the second session of the third Congress; and the twelfth article, at the first session of the eighth Congress,

CONSTITUTION OF MAINE.

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WE, the people of Maine, in order to establish justice, ensure tranquillity, provide for our mutual defence, promote Preamble our common welfare, and secure to ourselves and our posterity the blessings of liberty, acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an opportunity, so favorable to the design; and, imploring his aid and direction in its accomplishment, do agree to form ourselves into a free and independent State, by the style and title of the State of Maine, and do ordain and establish the following Constitution for the government of the same.

ARTICLE I.

DECLARATION OF RIGHTS.

SEC. 1. All men are born equally free and independent, Natural rights. and have certain natural, inherent and unalienable rights, among which are those of enjoying and defending life and liberty, acquiring, possessing and protecting property, and of pursuing and obtaining safety and happiness.

SEC. 2. All power is inherent in the people; all free gov- All power inernments are founded in their authority and instituted for herent in the their benefit; they have therefore an unalienable and inde- people. feasible right to institute government, and to alter, reform, or totally change the same, when their safety and happiness require it.

SEC. 3. All men have a natural and unalienable right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their