CongressOF 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
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- 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.
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- Article the second
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- No law, varying the compensation for the services
of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election
of Representatives shall have intervened.
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- Article the third
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- 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.
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- Article the fourth
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- 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.
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- Article the fifth
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- 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.
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- Article the sixth
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- 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.
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- Article the seventh
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- 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.
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- Article the eighth
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- 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.
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- Article the ninth
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- 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.
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- Article the tenth
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- Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive
fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
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- Article the eleventh
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- The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain
rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained
by the people.
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- Article the twelfth
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- 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
