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Congress
of the United States, |
begun
and held at the City of New-York, on |
| Wednesday
the fourth of March, one thousand seven hundred eighty nine.
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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; |
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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; Vizt |
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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.
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| 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.
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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. |
| 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.
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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. |
| 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.
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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. |
| 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 favour, and to have the
assistance of Counsel for his defence. |
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. |
Article
the tenth.
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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.
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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. |
Frederick
Augustus Muhlenberg Speaker of the House of Representatives
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John Adams, Vice President of the United States, and President
of the Senate.
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Attest, |
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John Beckley, Clerk of the House of Representatives. |
Sam: A. Otis, Secretary of the Senate. |
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