Original Source: United States Congress - Joint Resolution Proposing Twelve Amendments, 1789

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United States Congress
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Document Date September 25, 1789
Signed September 28, 1789
Document Type Joint resolution proposing constitutional amendments
Known For Proposing twelve articles of amendment to the Constitution of the United States
Historical Significance Ten proposed articles became the first ten amendments; another became the Twenty-seventh Amendment in 1992.
Publication Notes Transcription of the enrolled original resolution. Original spelling and punctuation are retained.
Encyclopiea Page Joint Resolution Proposing Twelve Amendments, 1789
Related Pages Declaration of Independence

Original Source: United States Congress - Joint Resolution Proposing Twelve Amendments, 1789
Bill of Rights
Constitution of the United States
Amendments to the Constitution
The Federalist Papers

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JOINT RESOLUTION PROPOSING TWELVE AMENDMENTS, 1789

Transcription Note

The following text is transcribed from the enrolled original of the joint resolution passed by the First Congress of the United States proposing twelve amendments to the Constitution. The transcription follows the National Archives version, which states that the spelling and punctuation reflect the original document. The text is reproduced as a historical primary source. The twelve articles below should not be confused with the ten amendments ratified in 1791 and conventionally known as the Bill of Rights. See the National Archives transcription.

TRANSCRIPTION OF THE JOINT RESOLUTION

1

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.

2

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 ensure the beneficent ends of its institution.

3

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.

4

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.

5

Article the first...
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.

6

Article the second...
No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened.

7

Article the third...
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.

8

Article the fourth...
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.

9

Article the fifth...
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.

10

Article the sixth...
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.

11

Article the seventh...
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.

12

Article the eighth...
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.

13

Article the ninth...
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.

14

Article the tenth...
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

15

Article the eleventh...
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

16

Article the twelfth...
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.

17

ATTEST,
Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg, Speaker of the House of Representatives
John Adams, Vice-President of the United States, and President of the Senate
John Beckley, Clerk of the House of Representatives.
Sam. A Otis Secretary of the Senate

Historical Note

The original resolution proposed twelve articles of amendment. Articles the third through the twelfth were ratified by the required number of states on December 15, 1791, becoming the first ten amendments to the Constitution, commonly called the Bill of Rights. Article the second was ratified much later, on May 7, 1992, as the Twenty-seventh Amendment. Article the first, concerning the ratio of representation in the House of Representatives, was never ratified. These later outcomes are noted here to distinguish the original proposal from the constitutional amendments that ultimately took effect. See the National Archives record.

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