HERE we append, for convenience of reference, and as being what every American should know and understand, a copy of the Constitution of the United States, and the Amendments thereto.

Preamble.

Congress.

CONSTITUTION.

WE, the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure 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 I.

All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall con

sist of a Senate and House of Representatives.

SECTION II

tives, how chosen.

The House of Representatives shall Representa 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.

of Represen

No person shall be a Representa- Qualification tive who shall not have attained the tatives. age of twenty-five years, and have 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.

ment of Representatives,

taxes.

Representatives and direct taxes Apportionshall be apportioned among the sev-and direct' eral 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

ten years.

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 subCensus every sequent 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.

Vacancies, how filled.

When vacancies happen in the representation from any State, the executive authority thereof shall issue

writs of election to fill such vacan

cies.

tives choose officers and

The House of Representatives shall Representachoose their Speaker and other offi- bring imp'chcers; and shall have the sole power

of impeachment.

SECTION III.

ments.

chosen.

The Senate of the United States Senate, how shall be composed of two Senators from each State, chosen by the legis lature thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote.

classed.

Immediately after they shall be Senators 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 Vacancies, happen by resignation or otherwise during the recess of the legislature

how filled.

Qualifications

of Senators.

Vice President to preside.

Officers of
Senate.

Trial of impeachments.

of any State, the executive thereof may make temporary appointments until the next meeting of the legislature, which shall then fill such vàcancies.

No shall be a Senator who person 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.