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THE
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
OF AMERICA
LITERAL PRINT
3
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a
more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquillity,
provide for the common defence, promote the general
Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and
our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the
United States of America.
Article. I.
Section. 1. All legislative Powers herein granted shall be
vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist
of a Senate and House of Representatives.
Section. 2. The House of Representatives shall be composed
of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several
States, and the Electors in each State shall have the
Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous
Branch of the State Legislature.
No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained
to the age of twenty five Years, and been seven Years
a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected,
be an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen.
Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned
among the several States which may be included within this
Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be
determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including
those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding
Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons. The actual
Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the
first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within
4 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they
shall by Law direct. The Number of Representatives shall not
exceed one for every thirty Thousand, but each State shall have
at Least one Representative; and until such enumeration shall
be made, the State of New Hampshire shall be entitled to chuse
three, Massachusetts eight, Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations
one, Connecticut five, New-York six, New Jersey four,
Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten,
North Carolina five, South Carolina five, and Georgia three.
When vacancies happen in the Representation from any
State, the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election
to fill such Vacancies.
The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker
and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.
Section. 3. The Senate of the United States shall be composed
of two Senators from each State, chosen by the Legislature
thereof, for six Years; and each Senator shall have one
Vote.
Immediately after they shall be assembled in Consequence
of the first Election, they shall be divided as equally as may be
into three Classes. The Seats of the Senators of the first Class
shall be vacated at the Expiration of the second Year, of the
second Class at the Expiration of the fourth Year, and of the
third Class at the Expiration of the sixth Year, so that one
third may be chosen every second Year; and if Vacancies happen
by Resignation, or otherwise, during the Recess of the Legislature
of any State, the Executive thereof may make tem-
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES 5
porary Appointments until the next Meeting of the Legislature,
which shall then fill such Vacancies.
No Person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained
to the Age of thirty Years, and been nine Years a Citizen of the
United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant
of that State for which he shall be chosen.
The Vice President of the United States shall be President
of the Senate but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided.
The Senate shall chuse their other Officers, and also a
President pro tempore, in the Absence of the Vice President, or
when he shall exercise the Office of President of the United
States.
The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments.
When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or
Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried
the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted
without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members
present.
Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further
than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold
and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United
States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and
subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according
to Law.
Section. 4. The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections
for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in
each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at
6 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to
the Places of chusing Senators.
The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year,
and such Meeting shall be on the first Monday in December,
unless they shall by Law appoint a different Day.
Section. 5. Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections,
Returns and Qualifications of its own Members, and a Majority
of each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller
Number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized
to compel the Attendance of absent Members, in such Manner,
and under such Penalties as each House may provide.
Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings,
punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour, and, with the
Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member.
Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and
from time to time publish the same, excepting such Parts as
may in their Judgment require Secrecy; and the Yeas and Nays
of the Members of either House on any question shall, at the
Desire of one fifth of those Present, be entered on the Journal.
Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall, without
the Consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days,
nor to any other Place than that in which the two Houses shall
be sitting.
Section. 6. The Senators and Representatives shall receive
a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law,
and paid out of the Treasury of the United States. They shall
in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace,
be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session
of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES 7
from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House,
they shall not be questioned in any other Place.
No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for
which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the
Authority of the United States, which shall have been created,
or the Emoluments whereof shall have been encreased during
such time; and no Person holding any Office under the United
States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance
in Office.
Section. 7. All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in
the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or
concur with amendments as on other Bills.
Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives
and the Senate, shall, before it become a law, be presented
to the President of the United States: If he approve he
shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections
to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter
the Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider
it. If after such Reconsideration two thirds of that House
shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together with the
Objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered,
and if approved by two thirds of that House, it shall
become a Law. But in all such Cases the Votes of both Houses
shall be determined by Yeas and Nays, and the Names of the
Persons voting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the
Journal of each House respectively. If any Bill shall not be returned
by the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted)
after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a
Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress
8 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall
not be a Law
Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the Concurrence
of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary
(except on a question of Adjournment) shall be presented to the
President of the United States; and before the Same shall take
Effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him,
shall be repassed by two thirds of the Senate and House of
Representatives, according to the Rules and Limitations prescribed
in the Case of a Bill.
Section. 8. The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect
Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and
provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the
United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform
throughout the United States;
To borrow Money on the credit of the United States;
To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among
the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;
To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform
Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United
States;
To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign
Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;
To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities
and current Coin of the United States;
To establish Post Offices and post Roads;
To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing
for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive
Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES 9
To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;
To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on
the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations;
To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and
make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;
To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of
Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;
To provide and maintain a Navy;
To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the
land and naval Forces;
To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws
of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repeal Invasions;
To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia,
and for governing such Part of them as may be employed
in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively,
the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority
of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by
Congress;
To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever,
over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by
Cession of Particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress,
become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and
to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent
of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be,
for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards and
other needful Buildings;—And
To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for
carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers and all other
Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the
United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.
10 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
Section. 9. The Migration or Importation of such Persons as
any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit,
shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the Year one
thousand eight hundred and eight, but a Tax or duty may be
imposed on such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each
Person.
The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be
suspended, unless when in Cases or Rebellion or Invasion the
public Safety may require it.
No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.
No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in
Proportion to the Census of Enumeration herein before directed
to be taken.
No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any
State.
No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce
or Revenue to the Ports of one State over those of another:
nor shall Vessels bound to, or from, one State, be obliged
to enter, clear or pay Duties in another.
No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence
of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement
and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public
Money shall be published from time to time.
No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States:
And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under
them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any
present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever,
from any King, Prince or foreign State.
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES 11
Section. 10. No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance,
or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin
Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver
Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder,
ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts,
or grant any Title of Nobility.
No State shall, without the Consent of the Congress, lay
any Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports, except what may
be absolutely necessary for executing it’s inspection Laws: and
the net Produce of all Duties and Imposts, laid by any State on
Imports or Exports, shall be for the Use of the Treasury of the
United States; and all such Laws shall be subject to the Revision
and Controul of the Congress.
No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any
Duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of
Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another
State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually
invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of
delay.
Article. II.
Section. 1. The executive Power shall be vested in a President
of the United States of America. He shall hold his Office
during the Term of four Years, and, together with the Vice
President, chosen for the same Term, be elected, as follows:
Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature
thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the
whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the
State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative,
or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under
the United States, shall be appointed an Elector.
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The Electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote
by Ballot for two Persons, of whom one at least shall not be an
Inhabitant of the same State with themselves. And they shall
make a List of all the Persons voted for, and of the Number of
Votes for each; which List 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 the 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 shall be the President, if such Number be a Majority
of the whole Number of Electors appointed; and if there be
more than one who have such Majority, and have an equal
Number of Votes, then the House of Representatives shall immediately
chuse by Ballot one of them for President; and if no
Person have a Majority, then from the five highest on the List
the said House shall in like Manner chuse the President. But
in chusing the President, the Votes shall be taken by States,
the Representatives 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. In every Case, after the Choice of the
President, the Person having the greatest Number of Votes of
the Electors shall be the Vice President. But if there should remain
two or more who have equal Votes, the Senate shall chuse
from them by Ballot the Vice President.
The Congress may determine the Time of chusing the Electors,
and the Day on which they shall give their Votes; which
Day shall be the same throughout the United States.
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES 13
No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the
United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution,
shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any
person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to
the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident
within the United States.
In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of
his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers
and Duties of the said Office, the Same shall devolve on the
Vice President, and the Congress may by Law provide for the
Case of Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, both of the
President and Vice President, declaring what Officer shall then
act as President, and such Officer shall act accordingly, until
the Disability be removed, or a President shall be elected.
The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services,
a Compensation, which shall neither be encreased nor diminished
during the Period for which he shall have been elected,
and he shall not receive within that Period any other Emolument
from the United States, or any of them.
Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall
take the following Oath or Affirmation:—‘‘I do solemnly swear
(or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President
of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve,
protect and defend the Constitution of the United
States.’’
Section. 2. The President shall be Commander in Chief of
the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of
the several States, when called into the actual Service of the
United States; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the
14 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon
any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices,
and he shall have Power to Grant Reprieves and Pardons for
Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.
He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent
of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators
present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with
the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors,
other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme
Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose
Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which
shall be established by Law: but the Congress may by Law vest
the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper,
in the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads
of Departments.
The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that
may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions
which shall expire at the End of their next Session.
Section. 3. He shall from time to time give to the Congress
Information on the State of the Union, and recommend to their
Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and
expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both
Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between
them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may
adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper; he shall
receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers; he shall take
Care that the Laws be faithfully executed, and shall Commission
all the Officers of the United States.
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES 15
Section. 4. The President, Vice President and all Civil Officers
of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment
for and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other
high Crimes and Misdemeanors.
Article. III.
Section. 1. The judicial Power of the United States, shall
be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as
the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The
Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold
their Offices during good Behaviour, and shall, at stated Times,
receive for their Services, a Compensation, which shall not be
diminished during their Continuance in Office.
Section. 2. The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in
Law and Equity, arising under this Constitution, the Laws of
the United States, and Treaties made, or which shall be made,
under their Authority;—to all Cases affecting Ambassadors,
other public ministers and Consuls;—to all Cases of admiralty
and maritime Jurisdiction;—to Controversies to which the
United States shall be a Party;—to Controversies between two
or more States;—between a State and Citizens of another
State;—between Citizens of different States;—between Citizens
of the same State claiming Lands under Grants of different
States, and between a State, or the Citizens thereof, and foreign
States, Citizens or Subjects.
In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers
and Consuls, and those in which a State shall be Party, the supreme
Court shall have original Jurisdiction. In all the other
Cases before mentioned, the supreme Court shall have appel-
16 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
late Jurisdiction, both as to Law and Fact, with such Exceptions,
and under such Regulations as the Congress shall make.
The Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeachment,
shall be by Jury; and such Trial shall be held in the State
where the said Crimes shall have been committed; but when
not committed within any State, the Trial shall be at such
Place or Places as the Congress may by Law have directed.
Section. 3. Treason against the United States, shall consist
only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies,
giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted
of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to
the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.
The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment
of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption
of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person
attainted.
Article. IV.
Section. 1. Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each
State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of
every other State. And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe
the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings
shall be proved, and the Effect thereof.
Section. 2. The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to
all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States.
A Person charged in any State with Treason, Felony, or
other Crime, who shall flee from Justice, and be found in another
State, shall on Demand of the executive Authority of the
State from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the
State having Jurisdiction of the Crime.
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES 17
No Person held to Service or Labour in one State, under
the Laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in Consequence
of any Law or Regulation therein, be discharged from such
Service or Labour, but shall be delivered up on Claim of the
Party to whom such Service or Labour may be due.
Section. 3. New States may be admitted by the Congress
into this Union; but no new State shall be formed or erected
within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be
formed by the Junction of two or more States, or Parts of
States, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the States
concerned as well as of the Congress.
The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all
needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other
Property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this
Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims
of the United States, or of any particular State.
Section. 4. The United States shall guarantee to every
State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and
shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application
of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature
cannot be convened) against domestic Violence.
Article. V.
The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall
deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution,
or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of
the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing
Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents
and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified
by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by
18 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other
Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided
that no Amendment which may be made prior to the
Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner
affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of
the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall
be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.
Article. VI.
All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before
the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the
United States under this Constitution, as under the Confederation.
This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States
which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties
made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United
States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the
Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the
Constitution or Laws of any state to the Contrary notwithstanding.
The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and
the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive
and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the
several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support
this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required
as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under
the United States.
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES 19
Article. VII.
The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be
sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between
the States so ratifying the same.
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.
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,
Attest WILLIAM JACKSON Go
. WASHINGTON—Presidt
.
Secretary and deputy from Virginia
New Hampshire JOHN LANGDON
NICHOLAS GILMAN
Massachusetts NATHANIEL GORHAM
RUFUS KING
Connecticut WM SAML JOHNSON
ROGER SHERMAN
New York . . . . ALEXANDER HAMILTON
New Jersey WIL: LIVINGSTON
DAVID BREARLEY.
WM PATTERSON.
JONA: DAYTON
Pennsylvania B FRANKLIN
THOMAS MIFFLIN
ROBT MORRIS
GEO. CLYMER
THOS FITZSIMONS
JARED INGERSOL
JAMES WILSON
GOUV MORRIS
20 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
Delaware GEO: READ
GUNNING BEDFORD JUN
JOHN DICKINSON
RICHARD BASSETT
JACO: BROOM
Maryland JAMES MCHENRY
DAN OF ST THOS JENIFER
DANL CARROLL
Virginia JOHN BLAIR— JAMES MADISON JR.
North Carolina WM BLOUNT
RICHD DOBBS SPAIGHT
HU WILLIAMSON
J. RUTLEDGE
South Carolina CHARLES COTESWORTH PINCKNEY
CHARLES PINCKNEY
PIERCE BUTLER
Georgia WILLIAM FEW
ABR BALDWIN
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES 21
In Convention Monday, September 17th 1787.
Present
The States of
New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, MR Hamilton
from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland,
Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.
Resolved,
That the preceeding Constitution be laid before the United
States in Congress assembled, 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 Assent
and Ratification; and that each Convention assenting to,
and ratifying the Same, should give Notice thereof to the United
States in Congress assembled. Resolved, That it is the Opinion
of this Convention, that as soon as the Conventions of nine
States shall have ratified this Constitution, the United States
in Congress assembled 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 assemble to vote
for the President, and the Time and Place for commencing Proceedings
under this Constitution. 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 Constitution
requires, to the Secretary of the United States in Congress
assembled, that the Senators and Representatives should
convene at the Time and Place assigned; that the Senators
22 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
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 Constitution.
By the Unanimous Order of the Convention
Go: WASHINGTON—Presidt
.
W. JACKSON Secretary.
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
OF AMERICA
LITERAL PRINT
3
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a
more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquillity,
provide for the common defence, promote the general
Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and
our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the
United States of America.
Article. I.
Section. 1. All legislative Powers herein granted shall be
vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist
of a Senate and House of Representatives.
Section. 2. The House of Representatives shall be composed
of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several
States, and the Electors in each State shall have the
Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous
Branch of the State Legislature.
No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained
to the age of twenty five Years, and been seven Years
a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected,
be an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen.
Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned
among the several States which may be included within this
Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be
determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including
those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding
Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons. The actual
Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the
first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within
4 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they
shall by Law direct. The Number of Representatives shall not
exceed one for every thirty Thousand, but each State shall have
at Least one Representative; and until such enumeration shall
be made, the State of New Hampshire shall be entitled to chuse
three, Massachusetts eight, Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations
one, Connecticut five, New-York six, New Jersey four,
Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten,
North Carolina five, South Carolina five, and Georgia three.
When vacancies happen in the Representation from any
State, the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election
to fill such Vacancies.
The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker
and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.
Section. 3. The Senate of the United States shall be composed
of two Senators from each State, chosen by the Legislature
thereof, for six Years; and each Senator shall have one
Vote.
Immediately after they shall be assembled in Consequence
of the first Election, they shall be divided as equally as may be
into three Classes. The Seats of the Senators of the first Class
shall be vacated at the Expiration of the second Year, of the
second Class at the Expiration of the fourth Year, and of the
third Class at the Expiration of the sixth Year, so that one
third may be chosen every second Year; and if Vacancies happen
by Resignation, or otherwise, during the Recess of the Legislature
of any State, the Executive thereof may make tem-
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES 5
porary Appointments until the next Meeting of the Legislature,
which shall then fill such Vacancies.
No Person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained
to the Age of thirty Years, and been nine Years a Citizen of the
United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant
of that State for which he shall be chosen.
The Vice President of the United States shall be President
of the Senate but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided.
The Senate shall chuse their other Officers, and also a
President pro tempore, in the Absence of the Vice President, or
when he shall exercise the Office of President of the United
States.
The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments.
When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or
Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried
the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted
without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members
present.
Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further
than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold
and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United
States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and
subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according
to Law.
Section. 4. The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections
for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in
each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at
6 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to
the Places of chusing Senators.
The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year,
and such Meeting shall be on the first Monday in December,
unless they shall by Law appoint a different Day.
Section. 5. Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections,
Returns and Qualifications of its own Members, and a Majority
of each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller
Number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized
to compel the Attendance of absent Members, in such Manner,
and under such Penalties as each House may provide.
Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings,
punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour, and, with the
Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member.
Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and
from time to time publish the same, excepting such Parts as
may in their Judgment require Secrecy; and the Yeas and Nays
of the Members of either House on any question shall, at the
Desire of one fifth of those Present, be entered on the Journal.
Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall, without
the Consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days,
nor to any other Place than that in which the two Houses shall
be sitting.
Section. 6. The Senators and Representatives shall receive
a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law,
and paid out of the Treasury of the United States. They shall
in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace,
be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session
of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES 7
from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House,
they shall not be questioned in any other Place.
No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for
which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the
Authority of the United States, which shall have been created,
or the Emoluments whereof shall have been encreased during
such time; and no Person holding any Office under the United
States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance
in Office.
Section. 7. All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in
the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or
concur with amendments as on other Bills.
Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives
and the Senate, shall, before it become a law, be presented
to the President of the United States: If he approve he
shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections
to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter
the Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider
it. If after such Reconsideration two thirds of that House
shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together with the
Objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered,
and if approved by two thirds of that House, it shall
become a Law. But in all such Cases the Votes of both Houses
shall be determined by Yeas and Nays, and the Names of the
Persons voting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the
Journal of each House respectively. If any Bill shall not be returned
by the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted)
after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a
Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress
8 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall
not be a Law
Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the Concurrence
of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary
(except on a question of Adjournment) shall be presented to the
President of the United States; and before the Same shall take
Effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him,
shall be repassed by two thirds of the Senate and House of
Representatives, according to the Rules and Limitations prescribed
in the Case of a Bill.
Section. 8. The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect
Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and
provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the
United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform
throughout the United States;
To borrow Money on the credit of the United States;
To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among
the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;
To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform
Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United
States;
To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign
Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;
To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities
and current Coin of the United States;
To establish Post Offices and post Roads;
To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing
for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive
Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES 9
To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;
To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on
the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations;
To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and
make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;
To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of
Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;
To provide and maintain a Navy;
To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the
land and naval Forces;
To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws
of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repeal Invasions;
To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia,
and for governing such Part of them as may be employed
in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively,
the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority
of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by
Congress;
To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever,
over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by
Cession of Particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress,
become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and
to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent
of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be,
for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards and
other needful Buildings;—And
To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for
carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers and all other
Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the
United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.
10 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
Section. 9. The Migration or Importation of such Persons as
any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit,
shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the Year one
thousand eight hundred and eight, but a Tax or duty may be
imposed on such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each
Person.
The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be
suspended, unless when in Cases or Rebellion or Invasion the
public Safety may require it.
No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.
No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in
Proportion to the Census of Enumeration herein before directed
to be taken.
No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any
State.
No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce
or Revenue to the Ports of one State over those of another:
nor shall Vessels bound to, or from, one State, be obliged
to enter, clear or pay Duties in another.
No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence
of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement
and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public
Money shall be published from time to time.
No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States:
And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under
them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any
present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever,
from any King, Prince or foreign State.
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES 11
Section. 10. No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance,
or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin
Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver
Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder,
ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts,
or grant any Title of Nobility.
No State shall, without the Consent of the Congress, lay
any Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports, except what may
be absolutely necessary for executing it’s inspection Laws: and
the net Produce of all Duties and Imposts, laid by any State on
Imports or Exports, shall be for the Use of the Treasury of the
United States; and all such Laws shall be subject to the Revision
and Controul of the Congress.
No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any
Duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of
Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another
State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually
invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of
delay.
Article. II.
Section. 1. The executive Power shall be vested in a President
of the United States of America. He shall hold his Office
during the Term of four Years, and, together with the Vice
President, chosen for the same Term, be elected, as follows:
Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature
thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the
whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the
State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative,
or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under
the United States, shall be appointed an Elector.
12 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
The Electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote
by Ballot for two Persons, of whom one at least shall not be an
Inhabitant of the same State with themselves. And they shall
make a List of all the Persons voted for, and of the Number of
Votes for each; which List 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 the 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 shall be the President, if such Number be a Majority
of the whole Number of Electors appointed; and if there be
more than one who have such Majority, and have an equal
Number of Votes, then the House of Representatives shall immediately
chuse by Ballot one of them for President; and if no
Person have a Majority, then from the five highest on the List
the said House shall in like Manner chuse the President. But
in chusing the President, the Votes shall be taken by States,
the Representatives 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. In every Case, after the Choice of the
President, the Person having the greatest Number of Votes of
the Electors shall be the Vice President. But if there should remain
two or more who have equal Votes, the Senate shall chuse
from them by Ballot the Vice President.
The Congress may determine the Time of chusing the Electors,
and the Day on which they shall give their Votes; which
Day shall be the same throughout the United States.
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES 13
No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the
United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution,
shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any
person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to
the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident
within the United States.
In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of
his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers
and Duties of the said Office, the Same shall devolve on the
Vice President, and the Congress may by Law provide for the
Case of Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, both of the
President and Vice President, declaring what Officer shall then
act as President, and such Officer shall act accordingly, until
the Disability be removed, or a President shall be elected.
The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services,
a Compensation, which shall neither be encreased nor diminished
during the Period for which he shall have been elected,
and he shall not receive within that Period any other Emolument
from the United States, or any of them.
Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall
take the following Oath or Affirmation:—‘‘I do solemnly swear
(or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President
of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve,
protect and defend the Constitution of the United
States.’’
Section. 2. The President shall be Commander in Chief of
the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of
the several States, when called into the actual Service of the
United States; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the
14 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon
any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices,
and he shall have Power to Grant Reprieves and Pardons for
Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.
He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent
of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators
present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with
the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors,
other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme
Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose
Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which
shall be established by Law: but the Congress may by Law vest
the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper,
in the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads
of Departments.
The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that
may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions
which shall expire at the End of their next Session.
Section. 3. He shall from time to time give to the Congress
Information on the State of the Union, and recommend to their
Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and
expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both
Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between
them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may
adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper; he shall
receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers; he shall take
Care that the Laws be faithfully executed, and shall Commission
all the Officers of the United States.
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES 15
Section. 4. The President, Vice President and all Civil Officers
of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment
for and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other
high Crimes and Misdemeanors.
Article. III.
Section. 1. The judicial Power of the United States, shall
be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as
the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The
Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold
their Offices during good Behaviour, and shall, at stated Times,
receive for their Services, a Compensation, which shall not be
diminished during their Continuance in Office.
Section. 2. The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in
Law and Equity, arising under this Constitution, the Laws of
the United States, and Treaties made, or which shall be made,
under their Authority;—to all Cases affecting Ambassadors,
other public ministers and Consuls;—to all Cases of admiralty
and maritime Jurisdiction;—to Controversies to which the
United States shall be a Party;—to Controversies between two
or more States;—between a State and Citizens of another
State;—between Citizens of different States;—between Citizens
of the same State claiming Lands under Grants of different
States, and between a State, or the Citizens thereof, and foreign
States, Citizens or Subjects.
In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers
and Consuls, and those in which a State shall be Party, the supreme
Court shall have original Jurisdiction. In all the other
Cases before mentioned, the supreme Court shall have appel-
16 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
late Jurisdiction, both as to Law and Fact, with such Exceptions,
and under such Regulations as the Congress shall make.
The Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeachment,
shall be by Jury; and such Trial shall be held in the State
where the said Crimes shall have been committed; but when
not committed within any State, the Trial shall be at such
Place or Places as the Congress may by Law have directed.
Section. 3. Treason against the United States, shall consist
only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies,
giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted
of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to
the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.
The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment
of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption
of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person
attainted.
Article. IV.
Section. 1. Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each
State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of
every other State. And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe
the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings
shall be proved, and the Effect thereof.
Section. 2. The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to
all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States.
A Person charged in any State with Treason, Felony, or
other Crime, who shall flee from Justice, and be found in another
State, shall on Demand of the executive Authority of the
State from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the
State having Jurisdiction of the Crime.
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES 17
No Person held to Service or Labour in one State, under
the Laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in Consequence
of any Law or Regulation therein, be discharged from such
Service or Labour, but shall be delivered up on Claim of the
Party to whom such Service or Labour may be due.
Section. 3. New States may be admitted by the Congress
into this Union; but no new State shall be formed or erected
within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be
formed by the Junction of two or more States, or Parts of
States, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the States
concerned as well as of the Congress.
The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all
needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other
Property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this
Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims
of the United States, or of any particular State.
Section. 4. The United States shall guarantee to every
State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and
shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application
of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature
cannot be convened) against domestic Violence.
Article. V.
The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall
deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution,
or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of
the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing
Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents
and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified
by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by
18 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other
Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided
that no Amendment which may be made prior to the
Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner
affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of
the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall
be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.
Article. VI.
All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before
the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the
United States under this Constitution, as under the Confederation.
This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States
which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties
made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United
States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the
Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the
Constitution or Laws of any state to the Contrary notwithstanding.
The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and
the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive
and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the
several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support
this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required
as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under
the United States.
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES 19
Article. VII.
The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be
sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between
the States so ratifying the same.
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.
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,
Attest WILLIAM JACKSON Go
. WASHINGTON—Presidt
.
Secretary and deputy from Virginia
New Hampshire JOHN LANGDON
NICHOLAS GILMAN
Massachusetts NATHANIEL GORHAM
RUFUS KING
Connecticut WM SAML JOHNSON
ROGER SHERMAN
New York . . . . ALEXANDER HAMILTON
New Jersey WIL: LIVINGSTON
DAVID BREARLEY.
WM PATTERSON.
JONA: DAYTON
Pennsylvania B FRANKLIN
THOMAS MIFFLIN
ROBT MORRIS
GEO. CLYMER
THOS FITZSIMONS
JARED INGERSOL
JAMES WILSON
GOUV MORRIS
20 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
Delaware GEO: READ
GUNNING BEDFORD JUN
JOHN DICKINSON
RICHARD BASSETT
JACO: BROOM
Maryland JAMES MCHENRY
DAN OF ST THOS JENIFER
DANL CARROLL
Virginia JOHN BLAIR— JAMES MADISON JR.
North Carolina WM BLOUNT
RICHD DOBBS SPAIGHT
HU WILLIAMSON
J. RUTLEDGE
South Carolina CHARLES COTESWORTH PINCKNEY
CHARLES PINCKNEY
PIERCE BUTLER
Georgia WILLIAM FEW
ABR BALDWIN
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES 21
In Convention Monday, September 17th 1787.
Present
The States of
New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, MR Hamilton
from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland,
Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.
Resolved,
That the preceeding Constitution be laid before the United
States in Congress assembled, 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 Assent
and Ratification; and that each Convention assenting to,
and ratifying the Same, should give Notice thereof to the United
States in Congress assembled. Resolved, That it is the Opinion
of this Convention, that as soon as the Conventions of nine
States shall have ratified this Constitution, the United States
in Congress assembled 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 assemble to vote
for the President, and the Time and Place for commencing Proceedings
under this Constitution. 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 Constitution
requires, to the Secretary of the United States in Congress
assembled, that the Senators and Representatives should
convene at the Time and Place assigned; that the Senators
22 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
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 Constitution.
By the Unanimous Order of the Convention
Go: WASHINGTON—Presidt
.
W. JACKSON Secretary.