tion of delegates, chosen in each State by the people thereof, under the recommendation of its Legislature, for their assent and ratification; and that each convention, assenting to and ratifying the same, should give notice thereof to the United States in Congress assem

bled.

Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Convention, that, as soon as the conventions of nine States shall have ratified this Constitution, the United States in Congress assembled should fix a day on which electors should be appointed by the States which shall have ratified the same, and a day on which the electors should assemble to vote for the President, and the time and place for commencing proceedings under this Constitution; that, after such publication, the electors should be appointed, and the senators and representatives elected; that the electors should meet on the day fixed for the election of the President, and should transmit their votes, certified, signed, sealed, and directed as the Constitution requires, to the Secretary of the United States in Congress assembled; that the senators and representatives should convene at the time and place assigned; that the senators should appoint a President of the Senate, for the sole purpose of receiving, opening, and counting the votes for President, and that, after he shall be chosen, the Congress, together with the President, should, without delay, proceed to execute this Constitution.

By the unanimous order of the Convention.

WILLIAM JACKSON, Secretary.

-

GEORGE WASHINGTON, President.

IN CONVENTION, Sept. 17, 1787.

SIR, We have now the honor to submit to the consideration of the United States in Congress assembled that Constitution which has appeared to us the most advisable.

The friends of our country have long seen and desired that the power of making war, peace, and treaties, that of levying money and regulating commerce, and the correspondent executive and judicial authorities, should be fully and effectually vested in the General Government of the Union. But the impropriety of delegating

such extensive trust to one body of men is evident: hence results the necessity of a different organization.

It is obviously impracticable, in the Federal Government of these States, to secure all rights of independent sovereignty to each, and Individuals entering yet provide for the interest and safety of all.

into society must give up a share of liberty to preserve the rest. The magnitude of the sacrifice must depend as well on situation and It is at all times difcircumstance as on the object to be obtained. ficult to draw with precision the line between those rights which must be surrendered and those which may be reserved; and, on the present occasion, this difficulty was increased by a difference among the several States as to their situation, extent, habits, and particular interests.

In all our deliberations on this subject, we kept steadily in our view that which appears to us the greatest interest of every true American, the consolidation of our Union, - in which is involved our prosperity, felicity, safety, perhaps our national existence. This important consideration, seriously and deeply impressed on our minds, led each State in the Convention to be less rigid on points of inferior magnitude than might have been otherwise expected; and thus the Constitution which we now present is the result of a spirit of amity, and of that mutual deference and concession which the peculiarity of our political situation rendered indispensable.

That it will meet the full and entire approbation of every State, is not, perhaps, to be expected; but each will doubtless consider, that, had her interest been alone consulted, the consequences might have been particularly disagreeable or injurious to others. That it is liable to as few exceptions as could reasonably have been expected, we hope and believe; that it may promote the lasting welfare of that country so dear to us all, and secure her freedom and happiness, is our most ardent wish.

With great respect, we have the honor to be, sir, your Excellency's most obedient, humble servants.

By unanimous order of the Convention.

GEORGE WASHINGTON, President.

His Excellency the PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

NOTE. — The figures at the end of the paragraphs, in the following analysis, refer to paragraphs in the Constitution printed in this work marked with corresponding figures.

PREAMBLE.

WE, the people of the United States,

1. In order to form a more perfect Union, 2. Establish justice,

3. Insure domestic tranquillity,

4. Provide for the common defense,

5. Promote the general welfare, and

6. Secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States

of America. 1.

DEPARTMENTS.

Civil government in the United States is administered through three several departments; viz.,

I. The Legislative,

II. The Executive, and

III. The Judicial.

LEGISLATIVE.

All legislative powers granted by the Constitution are vested in a Congress of the United States, consisting of a Senate and House of Representatives. 2.

CHAPTER I.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

ARTICLE I.-PROPORTION.

1. The number of representatives shall not exceed one for every

thirty thousand. 5.

2. Until the first enumeration was made, the States were allowed

Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations, 1. 5.

ART. II.-HOW APPORTIONED.

Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, which shall include,

1. The whole number of free persons, excluding Indians not taxed; 2. Those bound to service for a term of years;

3. Indians who are taxed; and

4. Three-fifths of all other persons. 5. (See appendix to Analysis C, page 106.)

ART. III.- — ELIGIBILITY.

1. A representative must have attained to the age of twenty-five years.

2. Must have been seven years a citizen of the United States.

3. When elected, must be an inhabitant of the State in which

chosen. 4.

4. No United-States officer shall be a member of either House of Congress. 22. (See appendix to Analysis D, page 107.)

ART. V.-BY WHOM ELECTED.

By the people of the several States. 3.

ART. VI.- ELECTORS.

The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislature. 3.

ART. VII.- VACANCIES.

When vacancies happen in the representation from any State, the executive authority thereof shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies. 6.

1. How made.

ART. VIII. - CENSUS.

In such manner as Congress shall by law direct. 2. When made. - 1st. The actual enumeration shall be made within three years after the first meeting of Congress.

2d. It shall be made within every subsequent term of ten years. 5.

1. Co-ordinate with the Senate in general legislation. 2.

2. Sole power of originating bills for raising revenue. 3. Sole power of originating impeachments. 7.

4. To choose their Speaker and other officers.

23.

5. When the electors of President and Vice-President of the United States fail to elect a President, the House of Representatives shall elect one. 94.

CHAPTER II.

UNITED-STATES SENATE.

ART. 1.- HOW COMPOSED.

Of two senators from each State. 8.

ART. II.-ELIGIBILITY.

1. Must have attained to the age of thirty years.

2. Must have been nine years a citizen of the United States.

3 When elected, shall be an innhabitant of the State for which

chosen. 10.

4. No United-States officer shall be a member of either House of Congress. 22. (See appendix to Analysis D, page 107).

ART. III. TERM.

The senatorial term is six years. 8.