ject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled, in any criminal case, to be 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.

ARTICLE 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.

ARTICLE 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.

ARTICLE VIII.

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

ARTICLE IX.

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

ARTICLE 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.

ARTICLE XI.

The judicial power of the United States shall not be constructed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by citizens of another state, or by citizens or subjects of any foreign

state.

ARTICLE XII.

The electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote by ballot, for President and Vice-President, one of whom at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President; and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice-President, and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate; the President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates, and the votes shall then be counted; the person having the greatest number of votes for President, shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed; and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by states, the representation from each state having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two thirds of the states,

and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice. And if the House of Representatives shall not choose a President whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March next following, then the Vice President shall act as President, as in the case of the death or other constitutional disability of the President.

The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice. President, shall be the Vice-President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed; and if no person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice-President: a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice.

But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President.

CONSTITUTION

OF THE

STATE OF NEW-YORK.

米米

In Convention of the Representatives of the State of New-York.

KINGSTON, 20th April, 1777.

WHEREAS the many tyrannical and oppressive usurpations of the king and parliament of Great-Britain, on the rights and liberties of the people of the American colonies, had reduced them to the necessity of introducing a government by congresses and committees, as temporary expedients, and to exist no longer than the grievances of the people should remain without redress.

AND WHEREAS the congress of the colony of NewYork, did, on the thirty-first day of May, now last past, resolve as follows, viz.

"WHEREAS the present government of this colony, by congress and committees, was instituted while the former government, under the crown of Great Britain, existed in full force;-and was established for the sole purpose of opposing the usurpation of the British parliament, and was intended to expire on a reconciliation with Great-Britain, which it was then apprehended would soon take place, but is now considered as remote and uncertain.

"AND WHEREAS many and great inconveniences attend the said mode of government by congress and committees, as of necessity, in many instances, legislative, judicial and executive powers have been vested therein, especially since the dissolution of the former government, by the abdication of the late governor, and the exclusion of this colony from the protection of the king of Great-Britain.

"AND WHEREAS the continental congress did resolve as followeth, to wit:

"WHEREAS his Britannic majesty, in conjunction with

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"the lords and commons of Great-Britain, has, by a late act of parliament, excluded the inhabitants of these united "colonies from the protection of his crown. And whereas, no answers whatever, to the humble petition of the colo"nies for redress of grievances and reconciliation with "Great Britain, has been, or is likely to be given, but the "whole force of that kingdom, aided by foreign mercena"ries, is to be exerted for the destruction of the good people of these colonies. And whereas it appears absolute"ly irreconcileable to reason and good conscience, for the people of these colonies, now to take the oaths and affir"mations necessary for the support of any government un"der the crown of Great-Britain, and it is necessary that "the exercise of every kind of authority under the said 66 crown, should be totally suppressed, and all the powers "of government exerted under the authority of the people "of the colonies, for the preservation of internal peace, "virtue and good order, as well as for the defence of our "lives, liberties, and properties, against the hostile inva"sions and cruel depredations of our enemies :

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Therefore,

"RESOLVED, That it be recommended to the respec"tive assemblies and conventions of the united colonies, "where no government sufficient to the exigencies of their "affairs has been hitherto established, to adopt such gov"ernment as shall, in the opinion of the representatives of "the people, best conduce to the happiness and safety of "their constituents in particular, and America in gen❝eral."

"AND WHEREAS doubts have arisen, whether this congress are invested with sufficient power and authority to deliberate and determine on so important a subject as the necessity of erecting and constituting a new form of government and internal police, to the exclusion of all foreign jurisdiction, dominion and control whatever. And whereas it appertains of right solely to the people of this colony to determine the said doubts: Therefore,

"RESOLVED, That it be recommended to the electors in the several counties in this colony, by election in the manuer and form prescribed for the election of the present