 |
The Bill of Rights:
|
Below is a Transcription from the National Archives [Archives.gov]
PDF copy of the The
Bill of Rights
------------------------------------------------------------------
The Preamble to The 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
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.
------------------------------------------------------------------
The Bill of Rights: A Transcription
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.
Constitutional
Amendments 11-27
Site Directory
