THE

CONSTITUTION

OF THE

Anited States.

WE, the People of the United States, in order to form Preamble. a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquillity, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this constitution for the United States of America.

ARTICLE I.-Section 1.

1. All legislative powers herein granted, shall be of the vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall legislative consist of a senate and house of representatives.

Section 2.

power.

1. The house of representatives shall be composed of the house of members chosen every second year by the people of representatives its of the several states; and the electors in each state members; shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the by whom' most numerous branch of the state legislature.

chosen.

tions of representatives.

2. No person shall be a representative who shall not Qualificahave attained to the age of twenty-five years, and been seven years a citizen of the United States, and, who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that state in which he shall be chosen.

Of the house tatives.

3. Representatives and direct taxes shall be appor of represen- tioned among the several states which may be included within this Union, according to their respective numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole number of free persons, including those bound to service for a term of years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three-fifths of all other persons. The actual enumeration shall be made within three years after the first meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent term of ten years, in such manner as they shall by law direct. The number of representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty thousand, but each state shall have at least one representative; and until such enumeration shall be made, the state of New-Hampshire shall be entitled to choose three; Massachusetts, eight; Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, one; Connecticut, five; New-York, six; New-Jersey, four; Pennsylvania, eight; Delaware, one; Maryland, six; Virginia, ten; North-Carolina, five; South-Carolina, five; and Georgia, three.

Ib.

lb.

Of the senate.

Ib.

4. When vacancies happen in the representation from any state, the executive authority thereof shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies.

5. The house of representatives shall choose their speaker and other officers, and shall have the sole power of impeachment.

Section 3.

1. The senate of the United States shall be composed of two senators from each state, chosen by the legislature thereof, for six years; and each senator shall have one vote.

2. Immediately after they shall be assembled in con
sequence of the first election, they shall be divided as
equally as may be into three classes. The seats of
the senators of the first class shall be vacated at the ex-

piration of the second year, of the second class at the ex-
piration of the fourth year, and of the third class at the
expiration of the sixth year, so that one-third may be
chosen every second year; and if vacancies happen, by

resignation or otherwise, during the recess of the legislature of any state, the executive thereof may make temporary appointments until the next meeting of the legislature, which shall then fill such vacancies.

3. No person shall be a senator who shall not have of the attained the age of thirty years, and been nine years a senate. citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that state for which he shall be chosen.

4. The vice-president of the United States shall be Ib. president of the Senate, but shall have no vote unless they be equally divided.

5. The senate shall choose their other officers, and 1b. also a president pro tempore in the absence of the vicepresident, or when he shall exercise the office of president of the United States.

6. The senate shall have the sole power to try all im- lb. peachments. When sitting for that purpose, they shall be on oath or affirmation. When the president of the United States is tried, the chief justice shall preside: and no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds of the members present.

7. Judgment in cases of impeachment shall not extend Ib. further than to removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, 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.

Section 4.

members.

1. The times, places, and manner of holding elections Manner of for senators and representatives, shall be prescribed in electing each state by the legislature thereof; but the congress may at any time, by law, make or alter such regulations, except as to the places of choosing senators.

2. The congress shall assemble at least once in every Congress to year; and such meeting shall be on the first Monday in assemble December, unless they shall by law appoint a different day.

annually.