We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union,
       establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense,
       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. All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the
       United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.

       Section 2. The House of Representatives shall be composed of members chosen every
       second year by the people of the several states, and the electors in each state shall
       have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the state
       legislature.

       No person shall be a Representative who shall not have 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.

       Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned 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.

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

       The House of Representatives shall choose their speaker and other officers; and shall
       have the sole power of impeachment.

       Section 3. 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.

       Immediately after they shall be assembled in consequence 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 expiration of the second year, of the second class
       at the expiration of the fourth year, and 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.

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

       The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have
       no vote, unless they be equally divided.

       The Senate shall choose their other officers, and also a President pro tempore, in the
       absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the office of President of the
       United States.

       The Senate shall have the sole power to try all impeachments. 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.

       Judgment in cases of impeachment shall not extend 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. The times, places and manner of holding elections for Senators and
       Representatives, shall be prescribed in 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.

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

       Section 5. Each House shall be the judge of the elections, returns and qualifications of
       its own members, and a majority of each shall constitute a quorum to do business; but
       a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the
       attendance of absent members, in such manner, and under such penalties as each
       House may provide.

       Each House may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its members for
       disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence of two thirds, expel a member.

       Each House shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and from time to time publish the
       same, excepting such parts as may in their judgment require secrecy; and the yeas and
       nays of the members of either House on any question shall, at the desire of one fifth of
       those present, be entered on the journal.

       Neither House, during the session of Congress, shall, without the consent of the other,
       adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other place than that in which the two
       Houses shall be sitting.

       Section 6. The Senators and Representatives shall receive a compensation for their
       services, to be ascertained by law, and paid out of the treasury of the United States.
       They shall in all cases, except treason, felony and breach of the peace, be privileged
       from arrest during their attendance at the session of their respective Houses, and in
       going to and returning from the same; and for any speech or debate in either House,
       they shall not be questioned in any other place.

       No Senator or Representative shall, during the time for which he was elected, be
       appointed to any civil office under the authority of the United States, which shall have
       been created, or the emoluments whereof shall have been increased during such time:
       and no person holding any office under the United States, shall be a member of either
       House during his continuance in office.

       Section 7. All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives;
       but the Senate may propose or concur with amendments as on other Bills.

       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; if he
       approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his objections to that House in
       which it shall have originated, who shall enter the objections at large on their journal,
       and proceed to reconsider it. If after such reconsideration two thirds of that House
       shall agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, together with the objections, to the other
       House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of
       that House, 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 and against
       the bill shall be entered on the journal of each House respectively. If any bill shall not
       be returned by the President within ten days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have
       been presented to him, the same shall be a law, in like manner as if he had signed it,
       unless the Congress by their adjournment prevent its return, in which case it shall not
       be a law.

       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) shall be
       presented to the President of the United States; and before the same shall take effect,
       shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two
       thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the rules and
       limitations prescribed in the case of a bill.

       Section 8. The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and
       excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of
       the United States; but all duties, imposts and excises shall be uniform throughout the
       United States;

       To borrow money on the credit of the United States;

       To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states, and with the
       Indian tribes;

       To establish a uniform rule of naturalization, and uniform laws on the subject of
       bankruptcies throughout the United States;

       To coin money, regulate the value thereof, and of foreign coin, and fix the standard of
       weights and measures;

       To provide for the punishment of counterfeiting the securities and current coin of the
       United States;

       To establish post offices and post roads;

       To promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for limited times to
       authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries;

       To constitute tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court;

       To define and punish piracies and felonies committed on the high seas, and offenses
       against the law of nations;

       To declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules concerning
       captures on land and water;

       To raise and support armies, but no appropriation of money to that use shall be for a
       longer term than two years;

       To provide and maintain a navy;

       To make rules for the government and regulation of the land and naval forces;

       To provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the union, suppress
       insurrections and repel invasions;

       To provide 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 Congress;

       To exercise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever, over such District (not
       exceeding ten miles square) as may, by cession of particular states, and the acceptance
       of Congress, become the seat of the government of the United States, and to exercise
       like authority over all places purchased by the consent of the legislature of the state in
       which the same shall be, for the erection of forts, magazines, arsenals, dockyards, and
       other needful buildings;--And

       To make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the
       foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the government
       of the United States, or in any department or officer thereof.

       Section 9. The migration or importation of such persons as any of the states now
       existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the
       year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a tax or duty may be imposed on such
       importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each person.

       The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in cases
       of rebellion or invasion the public safety may require it.

       No bill of attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.

       No capitation, or other direct, tax shall be laid, unless in proportion to the census or
       enumeration herein before directed to be taken.

       No tax or duty shall be laid on articles exported from any state.

       No preference shall be given by any regulation of commerce or revenue to the ports of
       one state over those of another: nor shall vessels bound to, or from, one state, be
       obliged to enter, clear or pay duties in another.

       No money shall be drawn from the treasury, but in consequence of appropriations
       made by law; and a regular statement and account of receipts and expenditures of all
       public money shall be published from time to time.

       No title of nobility shall be granted by the United States: and no person holding any
       office of profit or trust under them, shall, without the consent of the Congress, accept
       of any present, emolument, office, or title, of any kind whatever, from any king, prince,
       or foreign state.

       Section 10. No state shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or confederation; grant letters
       of marque and reprisal; coin money; emit bills of credit; make anything but gold and
       silver coin a tender in payment of debts; pass any bill of attainder, ex post facto law, or
       law impairing the obligation of contracts, or grant any title of nobility.

       No state shall, without the consent of the Congress, lay any imposts or duties on
       imports or exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing it's
       inspection laws: and the net produce of all duties and imposts, laid by any state on
       imports or exports, shall be for the use of the treasury of the United States; and all
       such laws shall be subject to the revision and control of the Congress.

       No state shall, without the consent of Congress, lay any duty of tonnage, keep troops,
       or ships of war in time of peace, enter into any agreement or compact with another
       state, or with a foreign power, or engage in war, unless actually invaded, or in such
       imminent danger as will not admit of delay.

       Article II

       Section 1. The executive power shall be vested in a President of the United States of
       America. He shall hold his office during the term of four years, and, together with the
       Vice President, chosen for the same term, be elected, as follows:

       Each state shall appoint, in such manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a
       number of electors, equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives to
       which the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or
       person holding an office of trust or profit under the United States, shall be appointed
       an elector.

       The electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote by ballot for two persons, of
       whom one at least shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves. And
       they shall make a list of all the persons voted for, and of the number of votes for each;
       which list 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 shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole
       number of electors appointed; and if there be more than one who have such majority,
       and have an equal number of votes, then the House of Representatives shall
       immediately choose by ballot one of them for President; and if no person have a
       majority, then from the five highest on the list the said House shall in like manner
       choose 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. In every case, after the choice of the President,
       the person having the greatest number of votes of the electors shall be the Vice
       President. But if there should remain two or more who have equal votes, the Senate
       shall choose from them by ballot the Vice President.

       The Congress may determine the time of choosing the electors, and the day on which
       they shall give their votes; which day shall be the same throughout the United States.

       No person except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United States, at the time of
       the adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the office of President; neither shall
       any person be eligible to that office who shall not have attained to the age of thirty five
       years, and been fourteen Years a resident within the United States.

       In case of the removal of the President from office, or of his death, resignation, or
       inability to discharge the powers and duties of the said office, the same shall devolve
       on the Vice President, and the Congress may by law provide for the case of removal,
       death, resignation or inability, both of the President and Vice President, declaring what
       officer shall then act as President, and such officer shall act accordingly, until the
       disability be removed, or a President shall be elected.

       The President shall, at stated times, receive for his services, a compensation, which
       shall neither be increased nor diminished during the period for which he shall have been
       elected, and he shall not receive within that period any other emolument from the
       United States, or any of them.

       Before he enter on the execution of his office, he shall take the following oath or
       affirmation:--"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of
       President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and
       defend the Constitution of the United States."

       Section 2. The President shall be commander in chief of the Army and Navy of the
       United States, and of the militia of the several states, when called into the actual
       service of the United States; he may require the opinion, in writing, of the principal
       officer in each of the executive departments, upon any subject relating to the duties of
       their respective offices, and he shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for
       offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment.

       He shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to make
       treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate,
       and by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall appoint ambassadors,
       other public ministers and consuls, judges of the Supreme Court, and all other officers
       of the United States, whose appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and
       which shall be established by law: but the Congress may by law vest the appointment
       of such inferior officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the courts of
       law, or in the heads of departments.

       The President shall have power to fill up all vacancies that may happen during the
       recess of the Senate, by granting commissions which shall expire at the end of their
       next session.

       Section 3. He shall from time to time give to the Congress information of the state of
       the union, and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge
       necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary occasions, convene both Houses,
       or either of them, and in case of disagreement between them, with respect to the time
       of adjournment, he may adjourn them to such time as he shall think proper; he shall
       receive ambassadors and other public ministers; he shall take care that the laws be
       faithfully executed, and shall commission all the officers of the United States.

       Section 4. The President, Vice President and all civil officers of the United States, shall
       be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, treason, bribery, or
       other high crimes and misdemeanors.

       Article III

       Section 1. The judicial power of the United States, shall be vested in one Supreme
       Court, and in such inferior courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and
       establish. The judges, both of the supreme and inferior courts, shall hold their offices
       during good behaviour, and shall, at stated times, receive for their services, a
       compensation, which shall not be diminished during their continuance in office.

       Section 2. The judicial power shall extend to all cases, in law and equity, arising under
       this Constitution, the laws of the United States, and treaties made, or which shall be
       made, under their authority;--to all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers
       and consuls;--to all cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction;--to controversies to
       which the United States shall be a party;--to controversies between two or more
       states;--between a state and citizens of another state;-- between citizens of different
       states;--between citizens of the same state claiming lands under grants of different
       states, and between a state, or the citizens thereof, and foreign states, citizens or
       subjects.

       In all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, and those in
       which a state shall be party, the Supreme Court shall have original jurisdiction. In all
       the other cases before mentioned, the Supreme Court shall have appellate jurisdiction,
       both as to law and fact, with such exceptions, and under such regulations as the
       Congress shall make.

       The trial of all crimes, except in cases of impeachment, shall

       be by jury; and such trial shall be held in the state where the said crimes shall have
       been committed; but when not committed within any state, the trial shall be at such
       place or places as the Congress may by law have directed.

       Section 3. Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying war against
       them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort. No person shall be
       convicted of treason unless on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or
       on confession in open court.

       The Congress shall have power to declare the punishment of treason, but no attainder
       of treason shall work corruption of blood, or forfeiture except during the life of the
       person attainted.

       Article IV

       Section 1. Full faith and credit shall be given in each state to the public acts, records,
       and judicial proceedings of every other state. And the Congress may by general laws
       prescribe the manner in which such acts, records, and proceedings shall be proved,
       and the effect thereof.

       Section 2. The citizens of each state shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of
       citizens in the several states.

       A person charged in any state with treason, felony, or other crime, who shall flee from
       justice, and be found in another state, shall on demand of the executive authority of the
       state from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the state having
       jurisdiction of the crime.

       No person held to service or labor in one state, under the laws thereof, escaping into
       another, shall, in consequence of any law or regulation therein, be discharged from
       such service or labor, but shall be delivered up on claim of the party to whom such
       service or labor may be due.

       Section 3. New states may be admitted by the Congress into this union; but no new
       states shall be formed or erected within the jurisdiction of any other state; nor any state
       be formed by the junction of two or more states, or parts of states, without the consent
       of the legislatures of the states concerned as well as of the Congress.

       The Congress shall have power to dispose of and make all needful rules and
       regulations respecting the territory or other property belonging to the United States;
       and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to prejudice any claims of the
       United States, or of any particular state.

       Section 4. The United States shall guarantee to every state in this union a republican
       form of government, and shall protect each of them against invasion; and on
       application of the legislature, or of the executive (when the legislature cannot be
       convened) against domestic violence.

       Article V

       The Congress, whenever two thirds of both houses shall deem it necessary, shall
       propose amendments to this Constitution, or, on the application of the legislatures of
       two thirds of the several states, shall call a convention for proposing amendments,
       which, in either case, shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of this
       Constitution, when ratified by the legislatures of three fourths of the several states, or
       by conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other mode of ratification
       may be proposed by the Congress; provided that no amendment which may be made
       prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any manner affect the
       first and fourth clauses in the ninth section of the first article; and that no state, without
       its consent, shall be deprived of its equal suffrage in the Senate.

       Article VI

       All debts contracted and engagements entered into, before the adoption of this
       Constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this Constitution, as
       under the Confederation.

       This Constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance
       thereof; and all treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the
       United States, shall be the supreme law of the land; and the judges in every state shall
       be bound thereby, anything in the Constitution or laws of any State to the contrary
       notwithstanding.

       The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the members of the several
       state legislatures, and all executive and judicial officers, both of the United States and
       of the several states, shall be bound by oath or affirmation, to support this Constitution;
       but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust
       under the United States.

       Article VII

       The ratification of the conventions of nine states, shall be sufficient for the establishment
       of this Constitution between the states so ratifying the same.

       Done in convention by the unanimous consent of the states present the seventeenth day
       of September in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty seven
       and of the independence of the United States of America the twelfth. In witness
       whereof We have hereunto subscribed our Names,

       G. Washington-Presidt. and deputy from Virginia

       New Hampshire: John Langdon, Nicholas Gilman

       Massachusetts: Nathaniel Gorham, Rufus King

       Connecticut: Wm: Saml. Johnson, Roger Sherman

       New York: Alexander Hamilton

       New Jersey: Wil: Livingston, David Brearly, Wm. Paterson, Jona: Dayton

       Pennsylvania: B. Franklin, Thomas Mifflin, Robt. Morris, Geo. Clymer, Thos.
       FitzSimons, Jared Ingersoll, James Wilson, Gouv Morris

       Delaware: Geo: Read, Gunning Bedford jun, John Dickinson, Richard Bassett, Jaco:
       Broom

       Maryland: James McHenry, Dan of St Thos. Jenifer, Danl Carroll

       Virginia: John Blair--, James Madison Jr.

       North Carolina: Wm. Blount, Richd. Dobbs Spaight, Hu Williamson

       South Carolina: J. Rutledge, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Charles Pinckney, Pierce
       Butler

       Georgia: William Few, Abr Baldwin
 

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Edited 11/3/2000