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:
This is a transcription in
their original form of the first ten amendments to the
Constitution. These amendments are referred to as the "Bill of
Rights". They were ratified December 15, 1791.
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.
These first 10
Amendments to the United States Constitution make up
what has become known as the "Bill of Rights"
Amendment II
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 V
Amendment VI
Amendment VII
Amendment VIII
Amendment IX
Amendment X
These first 10 Amendments to the United States Constitution make up what has become known as the "Bill of Rights"