On the part and behalf of the state of New York:

JAS. DUANE.

FRAS. LEWIS.

WILLIAM DUER.

GOUVR. MORRIS.

On the part and behalf of the state of New Jersey, November 26th, 1778: JNO. WITHERSPOON. NATHL. SCUDDER.

On the part and behalf of the state of Pennsylvania:

ROBT. MORRIS.

WILLIAM CLINGAN.

DANIEL ROBERDEAU.

JONA. BAYARD SMITH.

JOSEPH REED. (22 July, 1778.)

NICHOLAS VAN DYKE.

On the part and behalf of the state of Delaware:
THO. M'KEAN, Feb. 12, 1779.
JOHN DICKINSON, May 5, 1779.

On the part and behalf of the state of Maryland:
JOHN HANSON, March 1st, 1781.

DANIEL CARROLL, March 1st, 1781.

On the part and behalf of the state of Virginia: RICHARD HENRY LEE.

JOHN BANISTER.

THOMAS ADAMS.

JNO. HARVIE.

FRANCIS LIGHTFOOT LEE.

On the part and behalf of the state of North Carolina: JOHN PENN, July 21st, 1778.

CORNS HARNET.

JNO. WILLIAMS.

On the part and behalf of the state of South Carolina:

HENRY LAURENS.

WILLIAM HENRY DRAYTON.

JNO. MATTHEWS.

RICHD. HUTSON.

THOS. HEYWARD, Jun.

On the part and behalf of the state of Georgia:

JNO. WALTON, 24th July, 1778.

EDWD. TELFAIR.

EDWD. LANGWORTHY.

The articles of confederation were ratified by the states as follows: South Carolina, February 5, 1778; New York, February 6, 1778; Rhode Island, February 9, 1778; Connecticut, February 12, 1778; Georgia, February 26, 1778; New Hampshire, March 4, 1778; Pennsylvania, March 5, 1778; Massachusetts, March 10, 1778; North Carolina, April 5, 1778; New Jersey, November 19, 1778; Virginia, December 15, 1778; Delaware, February 1, 1779; Maryland, January 30, 1781.

The ratification by all the states was formally announced to the public March 1, 1781.

CONVENTION OF 1787.

In January, 1786, the legislature of Virginia appointed commissioners to meet such as might be appointed by other states, to take into consideration the trade of the United States, to consider how far a uniform system in their commercial relations might be necessary to their common interest and their permanent harmony, and to report an act for the consideration of the several legislatures and congress to accomplish the object. Under this call delegates from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware met with those of Virginia, at Annapolis, in September, 1786. Deeming their numbers too small and their powers too limited, they recommended to the states and to congress the calling of another convention, to meet at Philadelphia on the second Monday of the following May. On the 21st of February, 1787, congress acted by a resolution providing for a convention for revising the articles of confederation. The delegates assembled, and after four months of deliberation, their sessions (conducted with strict secrecy) being presided over by George Washington, they presented to the people, in the constitution, a scheme for an entirely new form of government. Rhode Island took no part in the convention. There was great opposition to the constitution on account of the omission of provisions to prevent encroachments by the government to be created upon certain valued rights, and the states in ratifying sent up to congress numerous proposed amendments. Congress at its first session submitted to the states twelve new articles, of which ten were adopted, and became the first ten amendments.

CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.*

WE the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, 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.

Of the Legislative Powers.

SECTION I. 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.

Of the House of Representatives.

SEC. II. 1. 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.

Qualifications of Members.

2. 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.

Apportionment of Representatives and Direct Taxes; Census.

3. 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,

*This constitution went into operation on the first Wednesday in March, 1789.

Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten, North. Carolina five, South Carolina five, and Georgia three.

Vacancies.

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

Of their Officers; Impeachment.

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

of the Senate.

SEC. III. 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.

Their Classes; Vacancies.

2. 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 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.

Qualifications of Senators.

3. 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.

Of the Vice President.

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

Of the Officers of the Senate.

5. 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.

Of Impeachment.

6. 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.

7. 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.

Manner of Electing Members of Congress.

SEC. IV. 1. 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.

Of the Meeting of Congress.

2. 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.

Powers of each House.

SEC. V. 1. 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.

Expulsion.

2. 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.

Journals and Yeas and Nays.

3. 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