1

CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA-1787

WE THE PEOPLE Of the United States, in Order to 'Representatives and direct Taxes shall be appor-
form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, in- tioned among the several States which may be in-
sure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common cluded within this Union, according to their respec-
defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure tive Numbers, which shall be determined by adding
the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our pos- to the whole Number of free Persons, including those
terity, do ordain and establish this Constitution bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding
for the United States of America. Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons.
The actual Enumeration shall be made within three
ARTICLE I. Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the
United States, and within every subsequent Term
SECTION 1. All legislative Powers herein granted of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law
shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, direct. The Number of Representatives shall not
which shall consist of a Senate and House of Rep- exceed one for every thirty Thousand, but each State
resentatives. shall have at Least one Representative; and until
SECTION 2. The House of Representatives shall be such enumeration shall be made, the State of New
composed of Members chosen every second Year by Hampshire shall be entitled to chuse three, Massa-
the People of the several States, and the Electors in chusetts eight, Rhode-Island and Providence Planta-
each State shall have the Qualifications requisite for tions one, Connecticut five, New-York six, New Jer-
Electors of the most numerous Branch of the State sey four, Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland
Legislature. six, Virginia ten, North Carolina five, South Carolina
No person shall be a Representative who shall not
five, and Georgia three.
have attained to the Age of twenty five Years, and
When vacancies happen in the Representation
been seven Years a Citizen of the United States, and
who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that from any State, the Executive Authority thereof shall
State in which he shall be chosen. issue Writs of Election to fill such Vacancies.
1
In May, 1785, a committee of Congress made a report resolution in favor of a convention, and the Legislatures
recommending an alteration in the Articles of Confedera- of those States which had not already done so (with the
tion, but no action was taken on it, and it was left to the exception of Rhode Island) promptly appointed delegates.
State Legislatures to proceed in the matter. In January, On the 25th of May. seven States having convened, George
1786, the Legislature of Virginia passed a resolution pro- Washington, of Virginia, was unanimously elected Presi-
viding for the appointment of five commissioners, who, dent, and the consideration of the proposed constitution
or any three of them, should meet such commissioners as was commenced. On the 17th of September, 1787, the
might be appointed in the other States of the Union, at Constitution as engrossed and agreed upon was signed by
a time and place to be agreed upon, to take into considera- all the members present, except Mr. Gerry of Massachu-
tion the trade of the United States; to consider how far setts, and Messrs. Mason and Randolph, of Virginia. The
a uniform system in their commercial regulations may be president of the convention transmitted it to Congress,
necessary to their common interest and their permanent with a resolution stating how the proposed Federal Gov-
harmony; and to report to the several States such an ernment should be put in operation, and an explanatory
act, relative to this great object, as, when ratified by them. letter. Congress, on the 28th of September, 1787, directed
will enable the United States in Congress effectually to the Constitution so framed, with the resolutions and
provide for the same. The Virginia commissioners, after letter concerning the same, to "be transmitted to the
some correspondence, fixed the first Monday in September several Legislatures in order to be submitted to a con-
as the time, and the city of Annapolis as the place for the vention of delegates chosen in each State by the people
meeting, but only four other States were represented, viz: thereof, in conformity to the resolves of the convention."
Delaware, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania; the On the 4th of March, 1789, the day which had been
commissioners appointed by Massachusetts, New Hamp- fixed for commencing the operations of Government
shire, North Carolina, and Rhode Island failed to attend. under the new Constitution, it had been ratified by the
Under the circumstances of so partial a representation, the conventions chosen in each State to consider it,as fol-
commissioners present agreed upon a report, (drawn by lows: Delaware, December 7, 1787; Pennsylvania, Decem-
Mr. Hamilton, of New York,) expressing their unanimous ber 12, 1787; New Jersey, December 18, 1787; Georgia,
conviction that it might essentially tend to advance the January 2, 1788; Connecticut, January 9. 1788; Massa-
interests of the Union if the States by which they were re- chusetts, February 6,1788; Maryland, April 28, 1788; South
spectively delegated would concur, and use their en- Carolina, May 23, 1788; New Hampshire, June 21, 1788;
deavors to procure the concurrence of the other States, in Virginia, June 26, 1788; and New York, July 26, 1788.
the appointment of commissioners to meet at Philadelphia The President informed Congress, on the 28th of Janu-
on the Second Monday of May following, to take into con- ary. 1790. that North Carolina had ratified the Constitu-
sideration the situation of the United States; to devise tion November 21, 1789; and he informed Congress on the
such further provisions as should appear to them neces- 1st of June, 1790, that Rhode Island had ratified the Con-
sary to render the Constitution of the Federal Govern- stitution May 29, 1790. Vermont, in convention, ratified
ment adequate to the exigencies of the Union; and to the Constitution January 10, 1791, and was, by an act
report such an act for that purpose to the United States of Congress approved February 18, 1791, "received and
in Congress assembled as, when agreed to by them and admitted into this Union as a new and entire member of
afterwards confirmed by the Legislatures of every State, the United States."
would effectually provide for the same. I This clause has been affected by the 14th and 16th
Congress, on the 21st of February, 1787, adopted a amendments, pp. XLVI, XLV111.

Page XLI
 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA-P1787 Page XLT[I

The House of Representatives shall chuse their Each House may determine the Rules of its Pro-
Speaker and other Officers; and shall have the sole ceedings, punish Its Members for disorderly Be-
Power of Impeachment. haviour, and, with the Concurrence of two thirds,
'SECTION 3. The Senate of the United States shall expel a Member.
be composed of two Senators from each State, chosen Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceed-
by the Legislature thereof, for six Years; and each ings, and from time to time publish the same, ex-
Senator shall have one Vote. cepting such Parts as may in their Judgment require
Immediately after they shall be assembled in Con- Secrecy; and the Yeas and Nays of the Members of
sequence of the first Election, they shall be divided either House on any question shall, at the Desire of
as equally as may be into three Classes. The Seats one fifth of those present, be entered on the Journal.
of the Senators of the first Class shall be vacated at Neither House, during the Session of Congress,
the Expiration of the second year, of the second shall, without the Consent of the other, adjourn for
Class at the Expiration of the fourth Year, and of more than three days, nor to any other Place than
the third Class at the Expiration of the sixth Year, that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.
so that one third may be chosen every second Year; SECTION 6. The Senators and Representatives
and if Vacancies happen by Resignation, or other- shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be
wise, during the Recess of the Legislature of any ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury
State, the Executive thereof may make temporary of the United States. They shall in all Cases, ex-
Appointments until the next Meeting of the Legis- cept Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be
lature, which shall then fill such Vacancies. privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at
No Person shall be a Senator who shall not have the Session of their respective Houses, and in going
attained to the Age of thirty Years, and been nine to and returning from the same; and for any Speech
Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall or Debate in either House, they shall not be ques-
not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State tioned in any other Place.
for which he shall be chosen. No Senator or Representative shall, during the
The Vice President of the United States shall be Time for which he was elected, be appointed to any
President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, civil Office under the Authority of the United States,
unless they be equally divided. which shall have been created, or the Emoluments
The Senate shall chuse their other Officers, and whereof shall have been encreased during such time;
also a President pro tempore, in the Absence of the and no Person holding any Office under the United
Vice President, or when he shall exercise the Office States, shall be a Member of either House during
of President of the United States. his Continuance in Office.
The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all
SECTION 7. All Bills for raising Revenue shall orig-
Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they
inate in the House of Representatives; but the Sen-
shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the Presi-
ate may propose or concur with Amendments as on
dent of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice
other Bills.
shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted
without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Mem- Every Bill which shall have passed the House of
bers present. Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it be-
Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not ex- come a Law, be presented to the President of the
tend further than to removal from Office, and dis- United States; If he approves he shall sign it, but if
qualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, not he shall return it, with his Objections to that
Trust or Profit under the United States: but the House in which it shall have originated, who shall
Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and sub- enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and
ject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, proceed to reconsider it. If after such Reconsidera-
according to Law. tion two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the
'SECTION 4. The Times, Places and Manner of Bill, it shall be sent, together with the Objections, to
holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, the other House, by which it shall likewise be recon-
shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature
sidered, and if approved by two thirds of that House,
thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law
make or alter such Regulations, except as to the it shall become a Law. But in all such Cases the
Places of chusing Senators. Votes of both Houses shall be determined by yeas
The Congress shall assemble at least once in every and Nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for
Year, and such Meeting shall be on the first Monday and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal
in December, unless they shall by Law appoint a of each House respectively. If any Bill shall not be
different Day. returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays
SECTION 5. Each House shall be the Judge of the excepted) after it shall have been presented to him,
Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own the Same shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had
Members, and a Majority of each shall constitute signed it, unless the Congress by their Adjournment
a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller Number may
prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a
adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to
compel the Attendance of absent Members, in such Law.
Manner, and under such Penalties as each House Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the
may provide. Concurrence of the Senate and House of Representa-
tives may be necessary (except on a question of Ad-
' This section has been affected by the 17th amendment, journment) shall be presented to the President of
p. XLVIII.
' This section has been affected by the 20th Amend- the United States; and before the Same shall take
ment, p. xLix. Effect, shall be approved by him, or being disap-
 Page XLMn CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA-1787
proved by him, shall be repassed by two thirds of tution in the Government of the United States, or
the Senate and House of Representatives, according in any Department or Officer thereof.
to the Rules and Limitations prescribed in the Case SECTION 9. The Migration or Importation of such
of a Bill. Persons as any of the States now existing shall
SECTION 8. The Congress shall have Power To lay think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by
and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to the Congress prior to the Year one thousand eight
pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence hundred and eight, but a Tax or duty may be im-
and general Welfare of the United States; but all posed on such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars
Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform for each Person.
throughout the United States; The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall
To borrow Money on the credit of the United not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion
States; or Invasion the public Safety may require it.
To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be
among the several States, and with the Indian passed.
Tribes; No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid,
To establish a uniform Rule of Naturalization, and unless In Proportion to the Census or Enumeration
uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies herein before directed to be taken.5
throughout the United States; No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported
To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of from any State.
foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of
Measures; Commerce or Revenue to the Ports of one State over
To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting those of another: nor shall Vessels bound to, or from,
one State, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay Duties
the Securities and current Coin of the United States;
in another.
To establish Post Offices and post Roads;
To promote the Progress of Science and useful No Money shall. be drawn from the Treasury, but
in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and
Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and
a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and
Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective
Expenditures of all public Money shall be published
Writings and Discoveries;
from time to time.
To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme
No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United
Court;
States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or
To define and punish Piracies and Felonies com-
Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the
mitted on the high Seas, and Offences against the
Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office,
Law of Nations;
To declare War, grant Letters of Marque or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince,
and
or foreign State.
Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on
SECTION 10. No State shall enter into any Treaty,
Land and Water;
Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque
To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation
and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make
of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term
any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Pay-
than two Years;
ment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post
To provide and maintain a Navy;
To make Rules for the Government and Regula- facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Con-
tracts, or grant any Title of Nobility.
tion of the land and naval Forces;
To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute No State shall, without the Consent of the Con-
the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and gress, lay any Imposts or Duties on Imports or Ex-
ports, except what may be absolutely necessary for
repel Invasions;
To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplin- executing it's inspection Laws: and the net Produce
of all Duties and Impots, laid by any State on Im-
ing, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them ports or Exports, shall be for the Use of the Treasury
as may be employed in the Service of the United of the United States; and all such Laws shall be
States, reserving to the States respectively, the Ap- subject to the Revision and Controul of the Congress.
pointment of the Officers, and the Authority of train- No State shall, without the Consent of Congress,
ing the Militia according to the discipline prescribed lay any Duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of
by Congress; War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or
To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases what- Compact with another State, or with a foreign
soever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or
square) as may, by Cession of particular States, in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.
and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of
ARTICLE II.
the Government of the United States, and to exer-
cise like Authority over all Places purchased by the SECTION 1. The executive-Power shall be vested in
Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the a President of the United States of America. He
Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts. Magazines, shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years,
Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings;- and, together with the Vice President, chosen for the
And same Term, be elected, as follows
To make all Laws which shall be necessary and Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the
proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Elec-
Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Consti- 5 See Amendment XVI, p. xLvin.
 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA-1787 Page XLIV

tors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he
Representatives to which the State may be entitled shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:-" I do
in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative. solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully
or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under execute the Office of President of the United States,
the United States, shall be appointed an Elector. and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect
' The Electors shall meet in their respective States, and defend the Constitution of the United States."
and vote by Ballot for two Persons of whom one at SECTION 2. The President shall be Commander in
least shall not be an Inhabitant of the same State Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States,
with themselves. And they shall make a List of all and of the Militia of the several States, when called
the Persons voted for, and of the Number of Votes into the actual Service of the United States; he may
for each; which List they shall sign and certify, and require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Offi-
transmit sealed to the Seat of the Government of the cer in each of the executive Departments, upon any
United States, directed to the President of the Subject relating to the Duties of their respective
Offices, and he shall have Power to grant Reprieves
Senate. The President of the Senate shall, in the
and Pardons for Offences against the United States,
Presence of the Senate and House of Representatives,
except in Cases of Impeachment.
open all the Certificates, and the Votes shall then be
counted. The Person having the greatest Number of He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and
Votes shall be the President, if such Number be a Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided
Majority of the whole Number of Electors appointed; two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he
and if there be more than one who have such Ma- shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and
jority, and have an equal Number of Votes, then the Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors,
House of Representatives shall immediately chuse by other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the
Ballot one of them for President; and if no Person supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United
.have a Majority, then from the five highest on the States, whose Appointments are not herein other-
List the said House shall in like Manner chuse the wise provided for, and which shall be established
President. But in chusing the President, the Votes by Law: but the Congress may by Law vest the Ap-
shall be taken by States, the Representation from pointment of such inferior Officers, as they think
each State having one Vote; A quorum for this Pur- proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of Law,
pose shall consist of a Member or Members from two or in the Heads of Departments.
thirds of the States, and a Majority of all the States The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacan-
shall be necessary to a Choice. In every Case, after cies that may happen during the Recess of the
Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire
the Choice of the President, the Person having the
at the End of their next Session.
greatest Number of Votes of the Electors shall be the
Vice President. But if there should remain two or SE c ON 3. He shall from time to time give to the
more who have equal Votes, the Senate shall chuse Congress Information of the State of the Union, and
from them by Ballot the Vice President. recommend to their Consideration such Measures as
he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on
The Congress may determine the Time of chusing
extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or
the Electors, and the Day on which they shall give
their Votes; which Day shall be the same throughout either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between
the United States. them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he
may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think
No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a
proper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other
Citizen of the United States, at the time of the
public Ministers; he shall take Care that the Laws
Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to
be faithfully executed, and shall Commission all the
the Office of President; neither shall any Person
Officers of the United States.
be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained
SECTION 4. The President, Vice President and all
to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen
civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed
Years a Resident within the United States.
from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of,
In Case of the Removal of the President from
Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Mis-
Office, or of his Death, Resignation, or Inability to
demeanors.
discharge the Powers and Duties of the said Office,
ARTICLE I.
the same shall devolve on the Vice President, and
the Congress may by Law provide for the Case of SECTION. 1. The judicial Power of the United States,
Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, both of shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such
the President and Vice President, declaring what inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to
Officer shall then act as President, and such Officer time ordain and establish. The Judges, both of the
shall act accordingly, until the Disability be re- supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices
moved, or a President shall be elected. during good Behaviour, and shall, at stated Times,
The President shall, at stated Times, receive for receive for their Services, a Compensation, which
his Services, a Compensation, which shall neither be shall not be diminished during their Continuance in
encreased nor diminished during the Period for Office.
which he shall have been elected, and he shall not " SE cTION 2. The judicial Power shall extend to all
receive within that Period any other Emolument Cases, in Law and Equity, arising under this Consti-
from the United States, or any of them. tution, the Laws of the United States, and Treaties
7
0 This clause has been affected by the 12th amendment, This section has been affected by the l1th amendment,
p. XLVII. p. XLVII.
Page XLV CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA-1787

made, or which shall be made, under their Author- The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and
ity;-to all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other pub- make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting
lic Ministers and Consuls;-to all Cases of admiralty the Territory or other Property belonging to the
and maritime Jurisdiction ;-to Controversies to United States; and nothing In this Constitution shall
which the United States shall be a Party;-to Con- be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the
troversies between two or more States:-between a United States, or of any particular State.
State and Citizens of.another State;-between Citi- SECTION 4. The United States shall guarantee to
zens of different States,-between Citizens of the every State in this Union a Republican Form of
same State claiming Lands under Grants of different Government, and shall protect each of them against
States, and between a State, or the Citizens thereof, Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or
and foreign States, Citizens or Subjects. of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be
In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public convened) against domestic Violence.
Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State
ARTICLE V.
shall be Party, the supreme Court shall have original
Jurisdiction. In all the other Cases before mentioned, The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses
the supreme Court shall have appellate Jurisdiction, shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments
both as to Law and Fact, with such Exceptions, and to this Constitution, or on the Application of the
under such Regulations as the Congress shall make. Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall
The Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Im- call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which,
peachment, shall be by Jury; and such Trial shall be in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Pur-
held in the State where the said Crimes shall have poses, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by
been committed; but when not committed within any the Legislatures of three fourths of the several
State, the Trial shall be at such Place or Places as States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof,
the Congress may by Law have directed. as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be
SECTION 3. Treason against the United States, shall proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amend-
consist only in levying War against them, or in ad-
ment which may be made prior to the Year One
hering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Com-
thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Man-
fort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless
on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt ner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth
Act, or on Confession in open Court. Section of the first Article; and that no State, with-
The Congress shall have Power to declare the Pun- out its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal
ishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason Suffrage in the Senate.
shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except
during the Life of the Person attainted. ARTICLE VI.

All Debts contracted and Engagements entered

ARTICLE IV. into, before the Adoption of this Constitution, shall
SECTION 1. Full Faith and Credit shall be given in be as valid against the United States under this
each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Constitution, as under the Confederation.
Proceedings of every other State. And the Congress This Constitution, and the laws of the United
may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof;
such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under
and the Effect thereof. the Authority of the United States, shall be the
SECTION 2. The Citizens of each State shall be supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every
entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the
in the several States. Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary
A Person charged in any State with Treason, Fel- notwithstanding.
ony, or other Crime, who shall flee from Justice, and
The Senators and Representatives before men-
be found in another State, shall on Demand of the
executive Authority of the State from which he fled, tioned, and the Members of the several State Legis-
be delivered up, to be removed to the Stabe having latures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both
Jurisdiction of the Crime. of the United States and of the several States, shall
No Person held to Service or Labour in one State, be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this
under the Laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be
in Consequence of any Law or Regulation therein, be required as a Qualification to any Office or public
discharged from such Service or Labour, but shall be Trust under the United States.
delivered up on Claim of the Party to whom such ARTICLE VII.
Service or Labour may be due.'
SECTION 3. New States may be admitted by the The Ratification of the Conventions of nine
Congress into this Union; but no new State shall States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of
be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any this Constitution between the States so ratifying
other State; nor any State be formed by the Junc- the Same.
tion of two or more States, or Parts of States, with-
DONE in Convention by the Unanimous Consent of
out the Consent of the Legislatures of the States the States present the Seventeenth Day of Sep-
concerned as well as of the Congress. tember in the Year of our Lord one thousand
-This paragraph was affected by Amendment XIII. p. seven hundred and Eighty seven and of the Inde-
XLVII. pendence of the United States of America the
 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA-1787 Page XLVI
Twelfth. IN WITNESS whereof we have hereunto the press; or the right of the people peaceably to
subscribed our Names, assemble, and to petition the Government for a re-
' dress of grievances.
G9 WASHINGTON -Presid
and deputy from Virginia ARTICLE [II.]
Attest WILLIAM JACKSON Secretary A well regulated militia, being necessary to the
New Hampshire security of a free State, the right of the people to
keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.
JOHN LANGDON NICHOLAS GILMAN
ARTICLE [1I.]
Massachusetts
NATHANIEL GORHAM RUFUS KING No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in
any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in
Connecticut time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by
WM. SAML. JOHNSON ROGER SHERMAN law.
ARTICLE [IV.]
New York
The right of the people to be secure in their per-
ALEXANDER HAMILTON
sons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreason-
New Jersey able searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and
WIL. LIVINGSTON WM. PATERSON. no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause,
DAVID BREARLEY. JONA. DAYTON supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly
describing the place to be searched, and the persons
Pennsylvania or things to be seized.
B. FRANKLIN THos. FITZSIMONS
THOMAS MIFFLIN JARED INGERSOLL ARTICLE [V.]
ROBT. MORRIS JAMES WILSON. No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or
GEO. CLYMER GOUV. MORRIS otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment
or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases aris-
Delaware
ing in the land or naval forces, or in the militia,
GEO. READ RICHARD BASSETT when in actual service in time of war or public
GUNNING BEDFORD jun JACO. BROOM
danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same
JOHN DICKINSON offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb;
Marl/land nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a
JAMES MCHENRY DANL. CARROLL. witness against himself, nor be deprived of life,
DAN OF ST. THos. JENIFER liberty, or property, without due process of law;
nor shall private property be taken for public use,
Vir inia
without just compensation.
JoHN BLAIR- JAMES MADISON Jr.
ARTICLE [VI.]
North Carolina
HU. WILLIAMSON In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall en-
WM. BLOUNT
RICHD. DODDS SPAIGHT.
joy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an im-
partial jury of the State and district wherein the
Sotith Carolina crime shall have been committed, which district shall
J. RUTLEDGE CHARLES PINCKNEY have been previously ascertained by law, and to be
CHARLES COTESWORTH PIERCE BUTLER. informed of the nature and cause of the accusation;
PINCKNEY to be confronted with the witnesses against him;
Georgia to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses
WILLIAM FEW ABR. BALDWIN In his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel
for his defence.
ARTICLE [VII.]
ARTICLES IN ADDITION TO, AND AMENDMENT In Suits at common law, where the value in con-
OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED troversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of
STATES OF AMERICA, PROPOSED BY CON- trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried
GRESS. AND RATIFIED BY THE LEGISLA- by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined In any
TURES OF THE SEVERAL STATES, PUR- Court of the United States, than according to the
SUANT TO THE FIFTH ARTICLE OF THE rules of the common law.
ORIGINAL CONSTITUTION.
and the notifications of ratification by the governors
ARTICLE [I.] thereof were successively communicated by the President
to Congress: New Jersey, November 20. 1789; Maryland,
Congress shall make no law respecting an estab- December 19. 1789; North Carolina, December 22, 1789;
lishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise South Carolina, January 19. 1790; New Hampshire. January
thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of 25, 1790; Delaware, January 28, 1790: Pennsylvania, March
10, 1790; New York, March 27, 1790; Rhode Island, June
"The first ten amendments to the Constitution of the 15. 1790: Vermont, November 3, 1791, and Virginia. De-
United States were proposed to the legislatures of the cember 15, 1791. The legislatures of Connecticut, Georgia
several States by the First Congress, on the 25th of Sep- and Massachusetts ratified them on April 19, 1939. March
tember. 1789. They were ratified by the following States, 24, 1939 and March 2, 1939, respectively.
 Page XLVII CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA-1787

ARTICLE [VIII.3 be a majority of the whole number of Electors ap-

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive pointed, and if no person have a majority, then from
the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall
fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments
choose the Vice-President; a quorum for the purpose
inflicted.
shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of
ARTICLE [IX.] Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain be necessary to a choice. But no person constitu-
rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage tionally ineligible to the office of President shall be
others retained by the people. eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States.
The twelfth amendment to the Constitution of the
ARTICLE [X.] United States was proposed to the legislatures of the
several States by the Eighth Congress, on the 12th of
The powers not delegated to the United States by December, 1803, in lieu of the original third paragraph
the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, of the first section of the second article; and was declared
are reserved to the States respectively, or to the in a proclamation of the Secretary of State, dated the
25th of September, 1804, to have been ratified by the
people. legislatures of three-fourths of the States.
[ARTICLE XI.]
ARTICLE XIII.
The Judicial power of the United States shall not
SECTION 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servi-
be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity,
commenced or prosecuted against one of the United tude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the
party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist
States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens
within the United States, or any place subject to
or Subjects of any Foreign State.
their jurisdiction.
The eleventh amendment to the Constitution of the SECTION 2. Congress shall have power to enforce
United States was proposed to the legislatures of the
several States by the Third Congress, on the 5th Sep- this article by appropriate legislation.
tember, 1794; and was declared in a message from the The thirteenth amendment to the Constitution of the
President to Congress, dated the 8th of January, 1798, United States was proposed to the legislatures of the Fev-
to have been ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths eral States by the Thirty-eighth Congress. on the 1st of
of the States. February, 1865, and was declared, in a proclamation of
[ARTICLE XII.] Io the Secretary of State. dated the 18th of December, 1865.
to have been ratified by the legislatures of twenty-seven
The Electors shall meet in their respective states, of the thirty-six States, viz: Illinois, Rhode Island, Michi-
and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, gan, Maryland, New York, West Virginia, Maine, Kansas,
one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Ohio, Missouri.
Nevada, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ver-
the same state with themselves; they shall name in mont, Tennessee, Arkansas, Connecticut, New Hampshire.
their ballots the person voted for as President, and South Carolina, Alabama, North Carolina, and Georgia.
in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-Presi-
dent, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons ARTICLE XIV.
voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as
Vice-President, and of the number of votes for each, SECTION 1. All persons born or naturalized in the
which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof,
sealed to the seat of the government of the United are citizens of the United States and of the State
States, directed to the President of the Senate ;-The wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce
President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the any law which shall abridge the privileges or im-
Senate and House of Representatives, open all the munities of citizens of the United States; nor shall
certificates and the votes shall then be counted;- any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or prop-
The person having the greatest number of votes for erty, without due process of law; nor deny to any
President, shall be the President, if such number be person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of
a majority of the whole number of Electors ap- the laws.
pointed; and if no person have such majority, then.
SECTION 2. Representatives shall be apportioned
from the persons having the highest numbers not
exceeding three on the list of those voted for as among the several States according to their respec-
President, the House of Representatives shall choose tive numbers, counting the whole number of persons
immediately, by ballot, the President. But in choos- in each State, excluding Indians not taxed. But
ing the President, the votes shall be taken by states, when the right to vote at any election for the choice
the representation from each state having one vote of electors for President and Vice President of the
a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member United States, Representatives in Congress, the Ex-
or members from two-thirds of the states, and a ma- ecutive and Judicial officers of a State, or the mem-
jority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice. bers of the Legislature thereof, is denied to any of
And if the House of Representatives shall not choose the male inhabitants of such State, being twenty-
a President whenever the right of choice shall de- one years of age, and citizens of the United States, or
volve upon them, before the fourth day of March
next following, then the Vice-President shall act as in any way abridged, except for participation in re-
President, as in the case of the death or other con- bellion, or other crime, the basis of representation
stitutional disability of the President.-The per- therein shall be reduced in the proportion which the
son having the greatest number of votes as Vice- number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole
President, shall be the Vice-President, if such number number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in
" This amendment was affected by Amendment XX, § 3. such State.
p. XLIX.
SECTIOr4 3. No person shall be a Senator or Repre-
sentative in Congress, or elector of President and
 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA-1787 Page XLVIII

Vice President, or hold any office, civil or military, Jected by Kentucky January 10, 1867; by Delaware Febru-
ary 8, 1867; by Maryland March 23, 1867; and was not
under the United States, or under any State, who, afterward ratified by either State.
having previously taken an oath, as a member of
ARTICLE XV.
Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as
a member of any State legislature, or as an executive SECTION 1. The right of citizens of the United
or judicial officer of any State, to support the Consti- States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the
tution of the United States, shall have engaged in United States or by any State on account of race,
insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given color, or previous condition of servitude.
aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Con- SECTION 2. The Congress, shall have power to
gress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
remove such disability. The fifteenth amendment to the Constitution of the
SECTION 4. The validity of the public debt o1 the United States was proposed to the legislatures of the
United States, authorized by law, including debts in- several States by the Fortieth Congress, on the 27th
of February, 1869, and was declared, in a proclamation
curred for payment of pensions and bounties for of the Secretary of State, dated March 30, 1870, to have
services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall been ratified by the legislatures of twenty-nine of the
not be questioned. But neither the United States thirty-seven States. The dates of these ratifications
(arranged in the order of their reception at the De-
nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or partment of State) were: from North Carolina. March
obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or re- 5, 1869; West Virignia, March 3, 1869; Massachusetts,
bellion against the United States, or any claim for March 9-12, 1869; Wisconsin, March 9, 1869; Maine,
March 12, 1869: Louisiana, March 5, 1869; Michigan,
the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such March 8, 1869; South Carolina, March 16, 1869; Penn-
debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal sylvania, March 26, 1869; Arkansas, March 30, 1869; Con-
and void. necticut, May 19, 1869: Florida, June 15, 1869; Illinois,
March 5, 1869; Indiana. May 13-14, 1869; New York,
SECTION 5. The Congress shall have power to en-
March 17-April 14, 1869, (and the legislature of the
force, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of same State passed a resolution January 5, 1870, to with-
this article. draw its consent to it;) New Hampshire, July 7, 1869;
Nevada, March 1, 1869; Vermont, October 21, 1869; Vir-
The fourteenth amendment to the Constitution of the
ginia. October 8. 1869; Missouri, January 10, 1870; Missis-
United States was proposed to the legislatures of the sippi. January 15-17, 1870; Ohio, January 27, 1870; Iowa,
several States by the Thirty-ninth Congress. on the 16th
February 3. 1870: Kansas, January 18-19, 1870; Minnesota,
of June, 1866. On the 21st of July. 1868, Congress
February 19, 1870; Rhode Island, January 18, 1870;
adopted and transmitted to the Department of State a
Nebraska, February 17. 1870; Texas, February 18, 1870.
concurrent resolution, declaring that "the legislatures
The State of Georgia also ratified the amendment February
of the States of Connecticut, Tennessee. New Jersey.
2, 1870.
Oregon, Vermont, New York, Ohio. Illinois, West Vir-
ginia, Kansas, Maine. Nevada, Missouri, Indiana. Minne- ARTICLE XVI.
sota. New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Iowa.
Arkansas, Florida, North Carolina, Alabama, South Caro- The Congress shall have power to lay and collect
lina, and Louisiana, being three-fourths and more of the taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived,
several States of the Union, have ratified the fourteenth
without apportionment among the several States, and
article of amendment to the Constitution of the United
States, duly proposed by two-thirds of each House of the without regard to any census or enumeration.
Thirty-ninth Congress: Therefore, Resolved, That said
The sixteenth amendment to the Constitution of the
fourteenth article is hereby declared to be a part of the
United States was proposed to the legislatures of the
Constitution of the United States, and it shall be duly several States by the Sixty-first Congress on the 12th
promulgated as such by the Secretary of State." The
of July. 1909, and was declared, in a proclamation of
Secretary of State accordingly issued a proclamation. the Secretary of State. dated the 25th of February. 1913,
dated the 28th of July, 1868. declaring that the proposed
to have been ratified by the Legislatures of the States
fourteenth amendment had been ratified, in the manner
of Alabama, Kentucky. South Carolina, Illinois. Mississippi.
hereafter mentioned, by the legislatures of thirty of the
Oklahoma. Maryland. Georgia. Texas. Ohio. Idaho, Oregon,
thirty-six States, viz: Connecticut. June 30, 1866; New Washington. California. Montana. Indiana. Nevada, North
Hampshire, July 7, 1866; Tennessee, July 19. 1866; New
Carolina. Nebraska. Kansas. Colorado. North Dakota, Mich-
Jersey, September 11, 1866, (and the legislature of the
igan. Iowa. Missouri. Maine. Tennessee. Arkansas. Wis-
same State passed a resolution in April. 1868, to with-
consin, New York. South Dakota. Arizona. Minnesota,
draw its consent to it:) Oregon, September 19, 1866:
Louisiana, Delaware. and Wyoming: in all, thirty-six.
Vermont, November 9, 1866; Georgia rejected it November
13, 1866, and ratified it July 21, 1868; North Carolina ARTICLE [XVII.]
rejected it December 4, 1866, and ratified it July 4. 1868:
South Carolina rejected it December 20, 1866, and rati- The Senate of the United States shall be composed
fied it July 6, 1868; New York ratified it January 10, 1867;
Ohio ratified it January 11, 1867, (and the legislature of two Senators from each State, elected by the
of the same State passed a resolution in January, 1868. people thereof. for six years; and each Senator shall
to withdraw its consent to it;) Illinois ratified it Janu- have one vote. The electors in each State shall have
ary 15. 1867; West Virginia, January 16, 1867. Kansas,
January 18, 1867; Maine, January 19, 1867; Nevada. Janu- the qualifications requisite for electors of the most
ary 22. 1867; Missouri, January 26, 1867; Indiana. January numerous branch of the State legislatures.
29, 1867; Minnesota, February 1, 1867; Rhode Island, When vacancies happen in the representation of
February 7, 1867; Wisconsin. February 13. 1867: Pennsyl-
vania, February 13, 1867; Michigan, February 15, 1867; any State in the Senate, the executive authority of
Massachusetts. March 20, 1867; Nebraska. June 15, 1867; such State shall issue writs of election to fill such
Iowa, April 3, 1868; Arkansas, April 6, 1868; Florida. June vacancies: Provided,That the legislature of any State
9, 1868; Louisiana, July 9, 1868; and Alabama, July 13,
1868. Georgia again ratified the amendment February 2, may empower the executive thereof to make tempo-
1870. Texas rejected it November 1, 1866. and ratified it rary appointments until the people fill the vacancies
February 18, 1870. Virginia rejected it January 19. 1867. by election as the legislature may direct.
and ratified it October 8. 1869. The amendment was re-
Page XLIX CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA-1787

This amendment shall not be so construed as to uary, and the terms of Senators and Representatives
affect the election or term of any Senator chosen at noon on the 3d day of January, of the years in
before it becomes valid as part of the Constitution. which such terms would have ended if this article
had not been ratified; and the terms of their succes-
The seventeenth amendment to the Constitution of
the United States was proposed to the legislatures of
sors shall then begin.
the several States by the Sixty-second Congress on the SEC. 2. The Congress shall assemble at least once
16th of May, 1912, and was declared, in a proclamation In every year, and such meeting shall begin at noon
of the Secretary of State. dated the 31st of May, 1913. on the 3d day of January, unless they shall by law
to have been ratified by the legislatures of the States of
Massachusetts, Arizona, Minnesota. New York, Kansas, appoint a different day.
Oregon, North Carolina. California, Michigan. Idaho, West SEc. 3. If. at the time fixed for the beginning of
Virginia, Nebraska. Iowa. Montana. Texas. Washington. the term of the President, the President elect shall
Wyoming. Colorado, Illinois. North Dakota, Nevada, Ver- have died, the Vice President elect shall become Presi-
mont, Maine. New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Ohio. South
Dakota, Indiana, Missouri. New Mexico, New Jersey. dent. If a President shall not have been chosen be-
Tennessee, Arkansas, Connecticut. Pennsylvania, and fore the time fixed for the beginning of his term, or
Wisconsin. if the President elect shall have failed to qualify,
ARTICLE [XVIII. Repealed. See Article XXI.] then the Vice President elect shall act as President
until a President shall have qualified; and the Con-
SECTION 1. After one year from the ratification of gress may by law provide for the case wherein neither
this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation a President elect nor a Vice President elect shall have
of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof qualified, declaring who shall then act as President,
into, or the exportation thereof from the United or the manner in which one who is to act shall be
States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction selected, and such person shall act accordingly until
thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited. a President or Vice President shall have qualified.
SEC. 2. The Congress and the several States shall SEC. 4. The Congress may by law provide for the
have concurrent power to enforce this article by case of the death of any of the persons from whom
appropriate legislation. the House of Representatives may choose a Presi-
SEC. 3. This article shall be inoperative unless it dent whenever the right of choice shall have devolved
shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Con- upon them, and for the case of the death of any of
stitution by the legislatures of the several States, as the persons from whom the Senate may choose a
provided in the Constitution, within seven years from Vice President whenever the right of choice shall
the date of the submission hereof to the States by have devolved upon them.
the Congress. SEC. 5. Sections 1 and 2 shall take effect on the
The eighteenth amendment to the Constitution of the 15th day of October following the ratification of this
United States was proposed to the legislatures of the article.
several States by the Sixty-fifth Congress, on the 3rd of SEC. 6. This article shall be inoperative unless it
December, 1917, and was declared, in a proclamation of
the Secretary of State, dated the 29th of January, 1919, shall have been ratified as an amendment to the
to have been ratified by the Legislatures of the States of Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of
Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware. Florida, the several States within seven years from the date
Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky. of its submission.
Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan.
Minnesota. Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Hamp- The twentieth amendment to the Constitution was
shire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma. proposed to the legislatures of the several states by the
Oregon, South Dakota, South Carolina, Texas. Utah, Vir- Seventy-Second Congress, on the 3d day of March, 1932.
ginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin. and and was declared, In a proclamation by the Secretary
Wyoming. of State, dated on the 6th day of February, 1933, to
ARTICLE [XI-.] have been ratified by the legislatures of the states of
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Con-
The right of citizens of the United States to vote necticut, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kan-
shall not be denied or abridged by the United States sas, Kentucky. Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan,
Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New
or by any State on account of sex. Jersey. New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio,
Congress shall have power to enforce this article Oklahoma. Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina,
by appropriate legislation. South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West
Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming-said states constituting
The nineteenth amendment to the Constitution of the three-fourths of the whole number of states in the United
United States was proposed to the legislatures of the States, and certified as valid to all intents and purposes
several States by the Sixty-sixth Congress, on the 19th as a part of the Constitution of the United States.
of May, 1919, and was declared, in a proclamation of the
Secretary of State, dated the 26th of August, 1920. to ARTICLE 1XXI.]
have been ratified by the Legislatures of the States of
Arizona, Arkansas. California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, SECTION 1. The eighteenth article of amendment
Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts,
to the Constitution of the United States is hereby
Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Ne-
vada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North repealed.
Dakota, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania. SEc. 2. The transportation or importation Into any
Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee. Texas, Utah. State, Territory, or possession of the United States
Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. for delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, in
ARTICLE [XX.] violation of the laws thereof, Is hereby prohibited.
SECTION 1. The terms of the President and Vice SEC. 3. This article shall be Inoperative unless It
President shall end at noon on the 20th day of Jan- shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Con-
21325°-58-vol. 1-4
 CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA-1787 Page L

stitution by conventions in the several States, as pro- proposed by the Congress, and shall not prevent any
vided in the Constitution, within seven years from person who may be holding the office of President,
the date of the submission hereof to the States by or acting as President, during the term within which
the Congress. this Article becomes operative from holding the
The twenty-first amendment to the Constitution was office of President or acting as President during the
proposed to the several states by the Seventy-Second Con- remainder of such term.
gress, on the 20th day of February, 1933. and was declared, SEC. 2. This article shall be inoperative unless
in a proclamation by the Secretary of State, dated on the it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the
5th day of December, 1933, to have been ratified by con-
ventions in the States of Arizona. Alabama, Arkansas, Cali- Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of
fornia, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, the several States within seven years from the date
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachu- of its submission to the States by the Congress.
setts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Hamp-
shire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York. Ohio, Oregon, PROPOSAL AND RATIFICATION
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Ver- This amendment was proposed to the legislatures of the
mont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and several States by the Eightieth Congress on Mar. 24, 1947
Wyoming-said states constituting three-fourths of the by House Joint Res. No. 27, and was declared by the
whole number of states in the United States, and certified Administrator of General Services, in a proclamation
as valid to all intents and purposes as a part of the dated Mar. 1, 1951, 16 P. R. Doc. 51-2940, 16 F. R. 2019,
Constitution of the United States. 65 Stat. 777. to have been ratified by the following State
legislatures: Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut,
ARTICLE [ II] Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas,
Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Mon-
SECTION 1. No person shall be elected to the office tana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New
of the President more than twice, and no person Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio,
Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas,
who has held th& office of President, or acted as
Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
President, for more than two years of a term to
CERTIFICATION OF VALTDITY
which some other person was elected President shall
be elected to the office of the President more than Publication of the certifying statement of the Admin-
istrator of General Services that the amendment had be-
once. But this Article shall not apply to any person come valid was made on Mar. 1. 1951, F. R. Doc. 51-2940,
holding the office of President when this Article was 16 F. R. 2019.

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES

[CHILD LABOR] RATIFICATION BY THE STATES-Continued
Kansas ------------------------------ February 25, 1937
SECTION 1. The Congress shall have power to limit, (certificate not received by State Dept. until
regulate, and prohibit the labor of persons under March 29, 1948)
Kentucky ---------------------------- January 13, 1937
eighteen years of age. Maine ------------------------------ December 16, 1933
SEC. 2. The power of the several States is unim- Michigan -------------------------------- May 1O, 1933
Minnesota -------------------------- December 14, 1933
paired by this article except that the operation of Montana ---------------------------- February 11, 1927
State laws shall be suspended to the extent necessary New Hampshire -------------------------- May 17, 1933
New Jersey ------------------------------ June 12, 1933
to give effect to legislation enacted by the Congress. New Mexico ------------------------- February 12, 1937
Proposed by the Sixty-eighth Congress on June 2, 1924. Nevada ------------------------------- January 29, 1937
North Dakota --------------------------- March 4, 1933
RATIFICATION BY THE STATES Ohio ---------------------------------- March 22, 1933
Oklahoma -------------------------------- July 5, 1933
Arizona ------------------------------ January 28, 1925 Oregon ------------------------------ January 31, 1933
Arkansas -------------------------------- June 28, 1924 Pennsylvania ------------------------- December 21, 1933
California ----------------------------- January 8, 1925 Utah ------------....--------------- February 5, 1935
Colorado ------------------------------- April 28, 1931 Washington -------------------------- February 3, 1933
West Virginia----------------------- December 12, 1933
Idaho -------------------------------- February 7, 1935 Wisconsin ----------------------- February 25, 1925
Illinois ---------------------------------- June 30, 1933 (received notification in State Dept. on
Indiana ------------------------------ February 8, 1935 February 28, 1925)
Iowa ------------------------------- December 5, 1933 Wyoming ---------------------------- February 1. 1935