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Bill
of Rights
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 insure 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 [Not Ratified]
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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 [Amendment XXVII - Ratified 1992]
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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 [Amendment I]
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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 [Amendment II]
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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 [Amendment III]
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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 [Amendment IV]
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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 [Amendment V]
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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 [Amendment VI]
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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 [Amendment VII]
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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 [Amendment VIII]
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Excessive
bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines
imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments
inflicted.
- Article
the eleventh [Amendment IX]
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The
enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights,
shall not be construed to deny or disparage others
retained by the people.
- Article
the twelfth [Amendment X]
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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.
ATTEST:
Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg, Speaker of the House
of Representatives
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