|
THE FIRST 10 AMENDMENTS
American Bill of Rights 1791:
Transcript
The first 10 amendments to the
Constitution were adopted as a single unit on December 15, 1791.
Here follows the full transcript of the United States
Bill of Rights 1791.
Preamble
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 ensure 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.
Note: The
following text is a transcription of the first
ten amendments to the Constitution in their
original form. These amendments were ratified
December 15, 1791, and form what is known as the
"Bill of Rights."
Amendment I
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.
Amendment II
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.
Amendment III
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.
Amendment IV
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.
Amendment V
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.
Amendment VI
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.
Amendment VII
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.
Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor
excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and
unusual punishments inflicted.
Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of
certain rights, shall not be construed to
deny or disparage others retained by the
people.
Amendment X
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.
More History
|
|
