would have done, had such persons died in the natural way; nor shall any article, which may occasion accidentally, the death of any one, be henceforth deemed a deodand, or in anywise forfeited, on account of such misfortune.

XVIII. That no person shall ever within this colony, be deprived of the inestimable privilege of worshipping Almighty God, in a manner agreeable to the dictates of his own conscience; nor, under any pretence whatever, be compelled to attend any place of worship, contrary to his own faith and judgement; nor shall any person, within this colony, ever be obliged to pay tithes, taxes, or any other rates, for the purpose of building or repairing any other church or churches, place or places of worship, or for the maintenance of any minister or ministry, contrary to what he believes to be right, or has deliberately or voluntarily engaged himself to perform.

XIX. That there shall be no establishment of any one religious sect in this province, in preference to another; and that no Protestant inhabitant of this colony shall be denied the enjoyment of any civil right, merely on account of his religious principles; but that all persons, professing a belief in the faith of any Protestant sect, who shall demean themselves peaceably under the government, as hereby established, shall be capable of being elected into any office of proit or trust, or being a member of either branch of the Legislature, and shall fully and freely enjoy every privilege and immunity, enjoyed by others their fellow-subjects.

XX. That the legislative department of this government may, as much as possible, be preserved from all suspicion of corruption, none of the Judges of the Supreme or other Courts, Sheriffs, or any other person or persons possessed of any post of profit under the government, other than Justices of the Peace, shall be entitled to a seat in the Assembly; but that, on his being elected, and taking his seat, his office or post shall be considered as vacant.

XXI. That all the laws of this province, contained in the edition lately published by Mr. Allison, shall be

and

and remain in full force, until altered by the Legislature of this colony (such only excepted, as are incompatible with this charter) and shall be, according as heretofore, regarded in all respects, by all civil officers, and others, the good people of this province.

XXII. That the common law of England, as well as so much of the statute law, as have been heretofore practised in this colony, shall still remain in force, until they shall be altered by a future law of the Legislature; such parts only excepted, as are repugnant to the rights and privileges contained in this charter; and that the inestimable right of trial by jury shall remain confirmed, as a part of the law of this colony, without repeal, for

ever.

XXIII. That every person, who shall be elected, as aforesaid, to be a member of the Legislative Council, or House of Assembly, shall, previous to his taking his seat in Council or Assembly, take the following oath or affirmation, viz.

“I, A. B. do solemnly declare, that, as a member of the Legislative Council, (or Assembly, as the case may be,) of the colony of New-Jersey, I will not assent to any law, vote or proceeding, which shall appear to me injurious to the public welfare of said colony, nor that shall annul or repeal that part of the third section in the charter of this colony, which establishes, that the elections of members of the Legislative Council and Assembly shall be annual; nor that part of the twentysecond section in said charter, respecting the trial by jury, nor that shall annul, repeal, or alter any part or parts of the 18th or 19th sections of the same.”

And any person or persons, who shall be elected as aforesaid, is hereby empowered to administer, to the said members, the said oath or affirmation.

Provided always, and it is the true intent and mean. ing of this Congress, that if a reconciliation between Great-Britain and these Colonies should take place, and the latter be taken again under the protection and government of the crown of Britain, this charter shall be null and void-otherwise to remain firm and inviolable.

In Provincial Congress, New-Jersey, Burlington,
July 2, 1776By Order of Congress,

SAMUEL TUCKER, President.
WM. PATTERSON, Secretary.

PENNSYLVANIA.

The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, as ratified in Convention, the 2d day of September, 1790. WE, the People of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, ordain and establish this Constitution for its Govern

ment.

ARTICLE I.

THE legislative power of this Commonwealth shall be vested in a General Assembly, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.

II. The Representatives shall be chosen annually by the citizens of the city of Philadelphia, and of each county respectively, on the 2d Tuesday of October.

III. No person shall be a Representative, who shall not have attained the age of twenty-one years, and have been a citizen and inhabitant of the State three years next preceding his election, and the last year thereof an inhabitant of the city or county, in which he shall be chosen; unless he shall have been absent on the public business of the United States, or of this State. No person, residing within any city, town, or borough, which shall be entitled to a separate representation, shall be elected a member for any county; nor shall any person, residing without the limits of any such city, town, or borough, be elected a member therefor.

IV. Within three years after the first meeting of the General Assembly, and within every subsequent term of seven years, an enumeration of the taxable inhabitants shall be made, in such manner as shall be directed by law. The number of Representatives shall, at the several periods of making such enumeration, be fixed by the Legislature, and apportioned among the city of

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Philadelphia, and the several counties, according to the number of taxable inhabitants in each; and shall never be less than sixty, nor greater than one hundred. Each county shall have, at least, one Representative; but no county, hereafter erected, shall be entitled to a separate representation, until a sufficient number of taxable inhabitants shall be contained within it, to entitle them to one Representative, agreeable to the ratio which shall then be established.

V. The Senators shall be chosen for four years, by the citizens of Philadelphia, and of the several counties, at the same time, in the same manner, and at the same places, where they shall vote for Representatives.

VI. The number of Senators shall, at the several periods of making the enumeration before mentioned, be fixed by the Legislature, and apportioned among the districts formed as herein after directed, according to the number of taxable inhabitants in each; and shall never be less than one-fourth, nor greater than one-third, of the number of Representatives.

VII. The Senators shall be chosen in districts, to be formed by the Legislature; each district containing such a number of taxable inhabitants, as shall be entitled to elect not more than four Senators. When a district shall be composed of two or more counties, they shall be adjoining. Neither the city of Philadelphia, nor any county, shall be divided in forming a district.

VIII. No person shall be a Senator, who shall not have attained the age of twenty-five years, and have been a citizen and inhabitant of the State four years next before his election, and the last year thereof an inhabitant of the district for which he shall be ch sen; unless he shall have been absent on the public business of the United States, or of this State.

IX. Immediately after the Senators shall be assembled, in consequence of the first election, subsequent to the first enumeration, they shall be divided, by lot, as equally as may be, into four classes. The seats of the Senators of the first class shall be vacated, at the expiration of the first year; of the second class, at the expiration of the second year; of the third class, at the

so that one fourth

expiration of the third year; and of the fourth class, at the expiration of the fourth year may be chosen every year.

X. The General Assembly shall meet on the first Tuesday of December in every year, unless sooner convened by the Governor.

XI. Each House shall choose its Speaker and other officers; and the Senate shall also choose a Speaker, pro tempore, when the Speaker shall exercise the office of Governor.

XII. Each House shall judge of the qualifications of its members. Contested elections shall be determined by a committee to be selected, formed, and regulated in such manner as shall be directed by law. A majority of each House shall constitute a quorum to do business; but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorised, by law, to compel the attendance of absent members, in such manner, and under such penalties, as may be provided.

XIII. Each House may determine the rules of its proceedings; punish its members for disorderly behaviour; and, with the concurrence of two-thirds, expel a member, but not a second time for the same cause; and shall have all other powers necessary for a branch of the Legislature of a free State.

XIV. Each House shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and publish them weekly, except such parts as may require secrecy. And the yeas and nays of the members, on any question, shall, at the desire of any two of them, be entered on the journals.

XV. The doors of each House, and of committees of the whole, shall be open, unless when the business shall be such as ought to be kept secret.

XVI. Neither House shall, without the consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.

XVII. The Senators and Representatives shall receive a compensation for their services, to be ascertained by law, and paid out of the treasury of the Commonwealth. They shall, in all cases except treason,

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