CONSTITUTION OP THE UNITED STATES Or AMERICA. The supreme law the United States.
2. It was framed by a convention of the representatives of thepeople, who met at Philadelphia, and finally adopted it on the 17th day of September, 1787. It became the law of the land on the first Wednesday in March, 1789. 5 Wheat. 420.
The preamble declares that the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure public tranquillity,. provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings ofliberty to them.. selves and their posterity, do ordain and establish this constitution for the United States of America.
3. The firet article is divided into ten sections. By the first the legislative power is vested in con gress. The second regulates the formation of the house of representatives, and declares who shall be electors. The third provides for the organization of the senate, and bestows on it the power to try impeachments. The four tie directs the times and places of holding elections, and the time of meet ing of congress. The fifth determines the power of the respective houses. The eixth provides for a compensation to members of congress, and for their safety from arrests, and disqualifies them from holding certain offices. The serenth directs the manner of passing bills. The eighth defines the powers vested in congress. The ninth eontans the following provisions : 1st. That the migration or importation of certain Classes of persons shall not he prohibited prior to the year 1808. 2d. That the writ of habeas corpus shall net be suspended, except in particular cases. 3d. That no bill of attainder or ex poet facto law shall be passed. 4th. The manner of laying taxes. 5th. The manner of draw ing money on t of the treasury. 6th. That no title of nobility shall be granted. 7th. That no officer shall receive a preset at from a foreign government. The tenth forbids the respective states• to exercise certain powers there enumerated.
4. The second articie is divided Into four sections. The feet vests the executive power in the president of the United State., and (as amended) provides for his election and that of the vice-president. The second scotion confers various powers on the presi dent. The third defines his duties. The fourth. pro vides for the impeachment of the president, vice president, and all civil officers of the United States.
The third article contains three sections. The first vests the judicial power in •sundry courts, pro vides for the tenure of office by the judges, and for their compensation. The second provides for the extent of the judicial power, vests in the supreme court original jurisdiction in certain cases, and directs the manner of trying crimes. The third defines treason, and vests in congress the power to declare its punishment.
5. The fourth article is composed of four sections.
The pet relates to the faith which state records, &c. have in other states. The second secures the rights of citizens in the several states,—the de livery of fugitives from justice or from labor. The third, for the admission of new states, and the of the territories. The fourth guar anties to every state in the union the republican form of government, and protection from Invasion domestic violence.
The fifth article provides for amendments to the constitution, The sixth article declares that the debts due under the confederation shall be valid against the United States • that the constitution and treaties made under its powers shall he the supreme law of the laud; that public officers shall be required by oath or affirmation to support the oonstitution of the United States; and that no religious test shall he required as a qualification for office.
The seventh article directs what shall be a sufficient ratification of this constitution by the states.
6. In pursuance of the fifth article of the eon etitution artloles in addition to, and amendment of, the constitution, were proposed by congress, and ratified by the legialatures of the several states. These additional articles are to the following im port The first relates to religious freedom; the liberty of the press; and the right of the people to assemble and to petition for redress of grievances.
The second enures to the people the right to bear arms.
The third provides for the quartering of soldiers. The fourth regulates the right of search, and the manner of arrest on criminal charges.
The fifth directs the manner of being held to newel:for orioles, and provides for the seourity of the life, liberty, and property of the citizens.
The sixth secures to the accused the right to a fair trial by jury. • The seventh provides for a trial by jury in civil cases.
The eighth directs that excessive bail shall not be required; nor excessive fines imposed; nor cruel and unusual punishments inflioted.
The ninth secures to the people the rights retained by them.
The tenth secures the rights to the states, or to the people the rights they have not granted.
The eleventh limits the powers of the (musts as to sultmagainst one of the United States.
The twelfth points out the manner of electing the president and vice.president.
The following are the dates of the ratification of the constitution by each of the original thirteen states: Delaware, December 7, 1787 ; Pennsylvania December 12, 1787; New Jersey, December 18; 1787; Georgia, Jan nry 2, 1788 ; Connecticut, Janu ary, 9, 1788; Massachusetts, February 6, 1788; Msryland, April 28, 1788; iouth Carolina, May 23, 1788; New Hampshire, June 21, 1788; Vir ginia, June 26, 1788; New York, July 26, 1788; North Carolina, November 21, 1789; Rhode Island, May 29, 1790.