Madison, James et al. (1789). United States citizens Bill of Rights Amendments to the Constitution of the United States. (Reprinted from Constitution (1789), Retrieved January 12, 2021 from https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/bill-of-rights-transcript)
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The United States Bill of Rights
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Transcription of the 1789 Joint Resolution of Congress Proposing 12 Amendments to the U.S. Constitution
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 ensure 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... 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... Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Article the eleventh... The enumeration in the
Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or
disparage others retained by the people.
Article the twelfth... 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
John Adams, Vice-President of the United States, and President of the Senate
John Beckley, Clerk of the House of Representatives.
Sam. A Otis Secretary of the Senate
Level of Description:Item
Type(s) of Archival Materials:Textual Records
The creator compiled or maintained the series between:1789 - 2013
This item documents the time
period:9/25/1789 - 9/25/1789
Other Title(s):1 Stat. 97First Ten Amendments to U.S. Constitution
General Note(s):
Articles 3 to 12, ratified December 15, 1791, by three-fourths of the State Legislatures,
constitute the first ten amendments of the United States Constitution. Article 2
was finally ratified on May 7, 1992, as the twenty-seventh Amendment to the Constitution.
Article 1 was never ratified.
Access Restriction(s):Unrestricted
Use Restriction(s):Unrestricted
All Rights Reserved