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  1. Overview: U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 (2021 Edition)
  2. Full Record: U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 (2021 Edition)
  3. Committee:The Convention
  4. Session: 1787-08-07 11:00:00
  5. Event type: CREATE

U.S. Constitutional Convention 1787 (2021 Edition)

Grand Convention at Philadelphia, May to September, 1787, Quill Project 2021 Edition.

The Convention

The main chamber of the Constitutional Convention, consisting of all delegates.

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To see the full record of a committee, click on the corresponding committee on the map below.

Document introduced in:

Session 6250: 1787-08-07 11:00:00

Report of Committee of Detail considered. First three articles agreed. Qualifications of electors debated.

Document View (with components):

Constitution Proposed by the Committee of Detail (Amended)

Shown with amendment 'Article VII: Section 4 (Import and Export)' (e673801)

(Showing state at moment e674191)
There are 16 proposed amendments related to this document on which decisions have not been taken.

[Constitution Reported from the Committee of Detail as Amended by the Convention] [+e673227]

[+e673227]

WE the People of the States of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, South-Carolina, and Georgia, do ordain, declare and establish the following Constitution for the Government of Ourselves and our Posterity.[+e673227] [+e673229]

[+e673229]

ARTICLE I. [+e673229]

[+e673229]

The stile of this Government shall be, “The United States of America.”[+e673229] [+e673231]

[+e673231]

II. [+e673231]

[+e673231]

The Government shall consist of supreme legislative, executive and judicial powers.[+e673231] [+e673233]

[+e673233]

III. [+e673233]

[+e673233]

The legislative power shall be vested in a Congress, to consist of two separate and distinct bodies of men, a House of Representatives, and a Senate[+e673233]; each of which shall, in all[+e673233 -e673237]at least once in every year; and such meeting shall be [+e673251] cases, have a negative on the o[+e673233 -e673237]ther. The Leg[+e673233 -e673251] [+e673243 -e673251]unless a different day shall be app[+e673243] [+e673254]

[+e673254]

IV.[+e673254] [+e673255]

[+e673255]

Sect. 1. The Members of the House of Representatives shall be chosen every second year, by the people of the several States comprehended within this Union. The qualifications of the electors shall be the same, from time to time, as those of the electors in the several States, of the most numerous branch of their own legislatures.[+e673255] [+e673268]

[+e673268]

Sect. 2. Every Member of the House of Representatives shall be of the age of twenty-five years at least; shall have been a citizen [+e673268]of[+e673273]in[+e673268 -e673273] the United States for at least [+e673268]seven[+e673269]three[+e673268 -e673269] years before his election; and shall be, at the time of his electi[+e673268]n inhabita[+e673273]on, a r[+e673268 -e673273]esident of the State in which he sh[+e673268] [+e673290]

[+e673290]

Sect. 3. The House of Representatives shall, at its first formation, and until the number of citizens and inhabitants shall be taken in the manner herein after described, consist of sixty-five members, of whom three shall be chosen in New-Hampshire, eight in Massachusetts, one in Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations, five in Connecticut, six in New-York, four in New-Jersey, eight in Pennsylvania, one in Delaware, six in Maryland, ten in Virginia, five in North-Carolina, five in South-Carolina, and three in Georgia.[+e673290] [+e673294]

[+e673294]

Sect. 4. As the proportions of numbers in the different States will alter from time to time; as some of the States may hereafter be divided; as others may be enlarged by addition of territory; as two or more States may be united; as new States will be erected within the limits of the United States, the Legislature shall, in each of these cases, regulate the number of representatives by the number of inhabitants, according to the [+e673294]rule[+e673295]provisions[+e673294 -e673295] herein after made[+e673294] for direct[+e673295]no[+e673298] [+e673295 -e673298]ta[+e673295]exceeding [+e673298]xation[+e673295],[+e673294 -e673295] at the rate of one for every for[+e673294] Provided that every State shall have at least one representative.[+e673303] [+e673313]

[+e673313]

Sect. 6. The House of Representatives shall have the sole power of impeachment. It shall choose its Speaker and other officers.[+e673313] [+e673316]

[+e673316]

Sect. 7. Vacancies in the House of Representatives shall be supplied by writs of election from the executive authority of the State, in the representation from which they shall happen.[+e673316] [+e673319]

[+e673319]

V.[+e673319] [+e673334]

[+e673334]

Sect. 1.[+e673334] The Senate of the United States shall be chosen by the Legislatures of the several States. Each Legislature shall chuse two members. Vacancies happening by refusals to accept, resignations or otherwise may be supplied by the Legislature of the State in the representation of which such vacancies shall happen, or by the executive thereof until the next meeting of the Legislature.[+e673335] Each member shall have one vote.[+e673337] [+e673344]

[+e673344]

Sect. 2. The Senators shall be chosen for six years; but immediately after [+e673344]they shall be assembled in consequence of [+e673345]the first election they shall be divided, by lot, into three classes, as nearly as may be, numbered one, two and three. The seats of the members of the first class shall be vacated at the expiration of the second year, of the second class at the expiration of the fourth year, of the third class at the expiration of the sixth year, so that a third part of the members may be chosen every second year.[+e673344] [+e673348]

[+e673348]

Sect. 3. Every member of the Senate shall be of the age of thirty years at least; shall have been a citizen [+e673348]of[+e673359]in[+e673348 -e673359] the United States for at least [+e673348]nine[+e673357]four[+e673348 -e673357] years before his election; and shall be, at the time of his electio[+e673348]n inhabita[+e673359]n, a re[+e673348 -e673359]sident of the State for which he sha[+e673348] [+e673362]

[+e673362]

Sect. 4. The Senate shall chuse its own President and other officers.[+e673362] [+e673365]

[+e673365]

VI.[+e673365] [+e673372]

[+e673372]

Sect. 1.[+e673372] The times and places and the manner of holding the elections of the members of each House shall be prescribed by the Legislature of each State respectively;[+e673373] but [+e673375]regulations in each of the forego[+e673379]their provisions concern[+e673375 -e673379]ing [+e673375]cases[+e673379]them[+e673375 -e673379] may[+e673375],[+e673379] at any time[+e673375],[+e673379] be [+e673375]made or [+e673379]altered by the Legis[+e673375] [+e673402]

[+e673402]

Sect. 3. In each House a majority of the members shall constitute a quorum to do business; but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day[+e673402], and may be authorised to compel the attendance of absent members in such manner and under such penalties as each House may provide[+e673410].[+e673402] [+e673413]

[+e673413]

Sect. 4. Each House shall be the judge of the elections returns and qualifications of its own members.[+e673413] [+e673415]

[+e673415]

Sect. 5. Freedom of speech and debate in the Legislature shall not be impeached or questioned in any court or place out of the Legislature; and the members of each House shall, in all cases, except treason, felony and breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest during their attendance at Congress, and in going to and returning from it.[+e673415] [+e673417]

[+e673417]

Sect. 6. Each House may determine the rules of its proceedings; may punish its members for disorderly behaviour; and may[+e673417], with the concurrence of two thirds,[+e673418] expel a member.[+e673417] [+e673440]

[+e673440]

Sect. 7.[+e673440] The House of Representatives, and the Senate, shall keep a journal of their proceedings, and shall, from time to time, publish them,[+e673441] except such parts thereof as in their judgment require secrecy;[+e673443] and the yeas and nays of the members of each House, on any question, shall, at the desire of one-fifth part of the members present, be entered on the journal.[+e673445] [+e673448]

[+e673448]

Sect. 8.[+e673448] [+e673449]During the session of the Legislature, n[+e673460]N[+e673449 -e673460]either House, without the consent of the other, shall adjourn for more than three days,[+e673449] nor to any other place than that at which the two Houses are sitting[+e673451] [+e673513]

[+e673513]

Sect. 10. The members of each House shall receive a compensation for their services, to be [+e673513]p[+e673520]ascert[+e673513 -e673520]ai[+e673513]ne[+e673513 -e673520]d [+e673513]out of[+e673520]and paid by[+e673513 -e673520] the [+e673513]Treasury o[+e673520], to be ascertained by law[+e673528]f[+e673520] [+e673534]

[+e673534]

Sect. 11. The enacting stile of the laws of the United States shall be, “Be it enacted, and it is hereby enacted by the House of Representatives, and by the Senate of the United States, in Congress assembled.”[+e673534] [+e673544]

[+e673544]

Sect. 13. Every bill, which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a law, be presented to the President of the United States, for his revision: if, upon such revision, he approve of it, he shall signify his approbation by signing it: But if, upon such revision, it shall appear to him improper for being passed into a law, he shall return it, together with his objections against it, to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider the bill. But if, after such reconsideration, t[+e673544]hree four[+e673552]wo [+e673544 -e673552]th[+e673544]ird[+e673544 -e673552]s of that House shall, notwithstanding the objections of the President, agree to pass it, it shall, together with his objections, be sent to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and, if approved by t[+e673544]hree four[+e673552]wo [+e673544 -e673552]th[+e673544]ird[+e673544 -e673552]s of the other House also, it shall become a law. But, in all such cases, the votes of both Houses shall be determined by Yeas and Nays; and the names of the persons voting for or against the bill shall be entered in the Journal of each House respectively. If any bill shall not be returned by the Presi[+e673544]t[+e673560]den[+e673544 -e673560]t withi[+e673544] (Sundays excepted)[+e673560]n seven days after it shall have been presented to him, it shall be a law, unless the Legislature, by their adjournment, prevent its return; in which case it shal[+e673544] [+e673566]

[+e673566]

Sect. 14. Every order, resolution or vote, to which the concurrence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of adjournment, and in the cases hereinafter mentioned) shall be presented to the President for his revision; and before the same shall have force, shall be approved by him, or, being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the rules and limitations prescribed in the case of a bill.[+e673566] [+e673570]

[+e673570]

VII.[+e673570] [+e673571]

[+e673571]

Sect. 1.[+e673571] The Legislature [+e673572]of the United States [+e673572 -e673892]shall [+e673572]fulfil[+e673892]have[+e673572 -e673892] the [+e673572]engagements[+e673892]power to lay[+e673572 -e673892] and [+e673572]dis[+e673892], and shall have the power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises[+e673916]charge the debts of the United Stat[+e673892]collect taxes, duties, imposts and excis[+e673572 -e673892]es;[+e673572] [+e673578]

To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several States;[+e673578] [+e673580]

To establish an uniform rule of naturalization throughout the United States;[+e673580] [+e673582]

To coin money;[+e673582] [+e673584]

To regulate the value of foreign coin;[+e673584] [+e673586]

To fix the standard of weights and measures;[+e673586] [+e673588]

To establish post-offices[+e673588] and post-roads[+e673589];[+e673588] [+e673592]

To borrow money[+e673592], and emit bills[+e673592 -e673593] on the credit of th[+e673592] [+e673601]

To appoint a Treasurer by [+e673601]joint [+e673602]ballot;[+e673601] [+e673609]

To constitute tribunals inferior to the supreme court;[+e673609] [+e673611]

To make rules concerning captures on land and water;[+e673611] [+e673613]

To [+e673613]define and [+e673619]punish[+e673617]declare the law an[+e673613 -e673617]d punishment [+e673613 -e673614]of piracies and felo[+e673613]to punish the[+e673622]nies c[+e673613 -e673622]ommitted on the [+e673613]of [+e673622]high[+e673613]securities and current [+e673622] seas, and [+e673613]the punishment [+e673613 -e673614]of co[+e673613]unt[+e673613 -e673622]erfeiting the coin of the U[+e673613] [+e673640]

To [+e673640]declar[+e673642]mak[+e673640 -e673642]e w[+e673640] [+e673688]

To raise [+e673688]and support [+e673689]armies;[+e673688] [+e673693]

To [+e673693]provide[+e673694]build[+e673693 -e673694] and [+e673693]maintain[+e673694]equ[+e673693 -e673694] [+e673697]

To ma[+e673697]provide for [+e673908]ke r[+e673697]ing[+e673908]ules for th[+e673697]e governmen[+e673697 -e673908]t and r[+e673697]egulation [+e673697 -e673908]of the land and naval forces;[+e673697] [+e673724]

To [+e673724]call forth the aid[+e673724 -e673906] of the militia, in order to execute the laws of the Union, enforce treaties, suppress insurrections, and repel invasions;[+e673724] [+e673729]

To make laws for organizing, arming, and disciplining the militia, and for governing such part of them as may be employed in the service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the appointment of the Officers, and the authority of training the militia according to the discipline prescribed by the United States; [+e673892]

And to make all laws that shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other power[+e673729]All debts contracted and engagements entered into, by or under the authority of Congress shall be as valid against the United States under this constitution as under the confederation. [+e674016]

[+e674016]

s vested, by this Constitution, in the government of the United States, or in any department or officer thereof.[+e673729] [+e673734]

[+e673734]

Sect. 2. Treason [+e673734]against the United States [+e673756]against the United Sta[+e673734 -e673745]tes shall consist [+e673734 -e673750]only [+e673734]m,[+e673761]in [+e673734 -e673761]some overt-a[+e673738 -e673761]ct of [+e673738]levying war[+e673734], giving them aid and comfort[+e673763] agai[+e673734]ir[+e673761]nst the [+e673734]United States, or any[+e673734 -e673761] of them[+e673734 -e673740]; [+e673734]or[+e673738]and[+e673734 -e673738] in[+e673734] adhering to the enem[+e673734 -e673758]ies of the United Sta[+e673734]tes, or any of t[+e673734 -e673740]hem. The Legislature of the United States shall have power to de[+e673734], or on confession in open court[+e673765]clare the punishment of treason. No person shall be c[+e673734] to the same overt-act[+e673747]onvicted of treason, unless on the testimony o[+e673734] The Legislature shall pass no bill of attainder[+e673845], nor any ex post facto laws.[+e673847] [+e673768]

[+e673768]

Sect. 3. The proportions of direct taxation shall be regulated by the whole number of [+e673768]white and other [+e673768 -e673769]free citizens and inhabitants, of every age, sex and condition, including those bound to servitude for a term of years, and three fifths of all other persons not comprehended in the foregoing description, (except Indians not paying taxes) which numbe[+e673768]three[+e673771]r s[+e673768 -e673771]hall, within six years after the first meeting of the Legislature, and within the term of every ten years afterwards, be taken in such manner as the said Legisl[+e673768] [+e673801]

[+e673801]

Sect. 4. No tax or duty shall be laid by the Legislature on articles exported from any State; nor on the migration or importation of such persons as the several States shall [+e673801] [+e673894]

[+e673894]

Sect. 7. The United States shall not grant any title of nobility.[+e673894] No person holding any office of profit or trust under the United States, shall without the consent of the Legislature accept of any present, emolument, office, or title of any kind whatever, from any king, prince, or foreign State.[+e673896] [+e673898]

[+e673898]

VIII. [+e673898]

[+e673898]

Th[+e673898]is Constitution and[+e673899]e acts of[+e673898 -e673899] the L[+e673898]aws[+e673899]egislature[+e673898 -e673899] of the United States [+e673898]which [+e673899]or which shall be made [+e740366]shall be [+e673899]made in pursuance [+e673898]of [+e673898 -e673899]th[+e673898]ereof[+e673899]is constitution[+e673898 -e673899], and all treaties made under the authority of the United States shall be the supreme law of the several States, and of their citizens and inhabitants; and the judges in the several States shall be bound thereby in their decisions; any thing in the [+e673898] [+e673957]

[+e673957]

X.[+e673957] [+e673958]

[+e673958]

Sect. 1. [+e673958]The Executive power of the United States shall be vested in a single person.[+e673959] His stile shall be, “The President of the United States of America;”[+e673961] and his title shall be, “His Excellency.”[+e673963] [+e674070]

[+e674070]

Sect. 2. He shall, from time to time, give to the Legislature information of the State of the Union: and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary, and expedient: he may convene them on extraordinary occasions, and in case of disagreement between the two Houses, with regard to the time of adjournment, he may adjourn them to such time as he shall think proper: he shall take care that the laws of the United States be duly and faithfully executed: he shall commission all the officers of the United States; and shall appoint to all offices established by this Constitution, except in cases herein otherwise provided for, and to all offices which may here after be created by law. He shall receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers.[+e674070] He shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons[+e674071] except in cases of impeachment.[+e674074] He shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several [+e674084]States when called into the actual service of the United [+e674085]States.[+e674084] He shall, at stated times, receive for his services, a compensation, which shall neither be encreased nor diminished during his continuance in office. Before he shall enter on the duties of his department, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation, “I ———— solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States of America[+e674088], and will to the best of my judgment and power, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States[+e674096].”[+e674088] [+e674101]

[+e674101]

XI.[+e674101] [+e674102]

[+e674102]

Sect. 1. The Judicial Power of the United States [+e674102]both in Law and Equity [+e674103]shall be vested in one Supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as shall, when necessary, from time to time, be constituted by the Legislature of the United States.[+e674102] [+e674107]

[+e674107]

Sect. 2. The Judges of the Supreme Court, and of the Inferior courts, shall hold their offices during good behaviour. They shall, at stated times, receive for their services, a compensation, which shall not be diminished during their continuance in office.[+e674107] [+e674117]

[+e674117]

Sect. 3.[+e674117] The Ju[+e674118]ris[+e674118 -e674154]dic[+e674118]ial Power[+e674154]tion of the Supreme Cour[+e674118 -e674154]both in law and equity [+e674164]t[+e674118 -e674154] shall extend to all cases arising under [+e674118]this Constitution and the [+e674127]laws [+e674118]of[+e674130]passed by[+e674118 -e674130] the [+e674118]United States, and t[+e674130]Legislatu[+e674118 -e674130]re[+e674118]aties made[+e674130] o[+e674118]r which shall be made under their authority[+e674130]f the United States[+e674118 -e674130]; to all cases affecting Ambassadors, other Public Ministers and Consuls;[+e674118] to all cases of Admiralty and Maritime Jurisdiction;[+e674122] to Controversies[+e674124] to whic[+e674125] controversies[+e674132]h the United States shall be a Party,[+e674125] between two or more States (except such as shall regard Territory or Jurisdiction) between a State and[+e674124] between Citizens of the same State claiming lands under grants of different States,[+e674166] citizens of another State, between citizens of different States, and between a State or the citizens thereof and [+e674124] In cases affecting Ambassadors, other Public Ministers and Consuls, and those in which [+e674137]the United States o[+e674138]e supreme Co[+e674156]r [+e674138 -e674156]a [+e674137 -e674156]St[+e674137]ate s[+e674137 -e674156]h[+e674137]all[+e674137 -e674156] be par[+e674137]hav[+e674156]t[+e674137 -e674156]y, this Ju[+e674137] jurisdiction[+e674156]risdiction shall be original[+e674137]the Supreme Cour[+e674171].[+e674137 -e674171] In all [+e674141]hav[+e674171]t[+e674141 -e674171]he other cas[+e674141]jurisdiction [+e674171]es beforementioned it shall be appellate[+e674141] both as to law and fact[+e674145],[+e674141 -e674145] with such exceptions and under suc[+e674141] [+e674174]

[+e674174]

Sect. 4. The trial of all crim[+e674174]inal offenc[+e674174 -e674175]es (except in cases of impeachment[+e674174]s[+e674174 -e674175]) shall be [+e674174]by Jury — and such trial shall be held [+e674175]in the State where the[+e674174] said crimes[+e674175]y[+e674174 -e674175] shall [+e674174]have [+e674175]be[+e674174]en[+e674175] committed; [+e674174]but when not committe[+e674175]an[+e674174 -e674175]d [+e674174]within any State then the trial [+e674175]shall be [+e674174]at such place or places as the Legislat[+e674175] [+e674183]

[+e674183]

The privilege of the writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended[+e674183]; unless where in cases of rebellion or invasion the public safety may require it.[+e674185] [+e674188]

[+e674188]

Sect. 5. Judgment, in cases of Impeachment, shall not extend further than to removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honour, trust or profit under the United States. But the party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to indictment, trial, judgment and punishment, according to law.[+e674188]ure may direct[+e674175]by jury[+e674174 -e674175].[+e674174]h regulations as the Legislature shall make.[+e674141]foreign States, citizens or subjects.[+e674124]constitutions or laws of the several States to the contrary notwithstanding.[+e673898]think proper to admit; nor shall such migration or importation be prohibited.[+e673801]ature shall direct.[+e673768]f two witnesses. No attainder of treason shall work corruption of blood, nor forfeiture, except during the life of the person attainted.[+e673734]ip[+e673693 -e673694] fleets;[+e673693]ar;[+e673640]nited States, and of offences against the law of nations;[+e673613]e United States;[+e673592]l not be a law.[+e673544] the United States[+e673520]State, in which they shall be chosen[+e673513 -e673520].[+e673513].[+e673451] But this regulation shall not extend to the Senate, when it shall exercise the powers mentioned in the ____ article.[+e673459 -e673460]lature of the United States.[+e673375]ll be chosen.[+e673348]ty thousand.[+e673294]all be chosen.[+e673268]ointed by law[+e673243]islature shall meet on the first Monday in December in every year.[+e673233]

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