Congress
OF THE United States
begun and held at the City of
New-York, on Wednesday the Fourth of March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine.
THE Conventions of a number of the States
having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to
prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive
clauses should be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the
Government, will best insure the beneficent ends of its institution
RESOLVED by the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, two thirds of both
Houses concurring, that the following Articles be proposed to the Legislatures of the
several States, as Amendments to the Constitution of the United States, all or any of
which Articles, when ratified by three fourths of the said Legislatures, to be valid to
all intents and purposes, as part of the said Constitution; viz.:
ARTICLES in addition to, and Amendment of
the Constitution of the United States of America, proposed by Congress, and ratified by
the Legislatures of the several States, pursuant to the fifth Article of the original
Constitution.
- Article the first [Not Ratified]
-
- After the first enumeration required by the first Article of
the Constitution, there shall be one Representative for every thirty thousand, until the
number shall amount to one hundred, after which the proportion shall be so regulated by
Congress, that there shall be not less than one hundred Representatives, nor less than one
Representative for every forty thousand persons, until the number of Representatives shall
amount to two hundred; after which the proportion shall be so regulated by Congress, that
there shall not be less than two hundred Representatives, nor more than one Representative
for every fifty thousand persons.
-
- Article the second [Amendment XXVII -
Ratified 1992]
-
- No law, varying the compensation for the services of the
Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives
shall have intervened.
-
- Article the third [Amendment I]
-
- 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 assemble, and to petition the
Government for a redress of grievances.
-
- Article the fourth [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.
-
- Article the fifth [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.
-
- Article the sixth [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.
-
- Article the seventh [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.
-
- Article the eighth [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 Assistance of Counsel for his defence.
-
- Article the ninth [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.
-
- Article the tenth [Amendment VIII]
-
- Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines
imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
-
- Article the eleventh [Amendment IX]
-
- The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights,
shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
-
- Article the twelfth [Amendment X]
-
- The powers not delegated to the United States by the
Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively,
or to the people.
ATTEST: Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg,
Speaker of the House of Representatives |