such scenes, are more apt to have that leaning to the side of mercy which the humane maxims of the English law inculcate. The privilege of trial by jury, has ever been regarded as one of the dearest rights of Englishmen. What importance was attached to it by the framers of the constitution, is evident from the rule in question. Why were cases of impeachment made an exception to the rule of trial by jury? Ans. The trial of high officers of the government for official misdemeanors, requires, greater knowledge of public matters, and a more imposing dignity than would be possess. ed by a tribunal composed of jurymen. In what places must criminal trials be held? What is the reason of this rule? Ans. It is that the accused may be tried, and if found guilty, punished, by the laws of the place where the offence was committed. To try and punish him by other laws, would evidently be unjust.

SEC. 3. In what does treason against the United States consist?

Remark. By the English law, as many as seven or eight different offences are construed to be treason. The laws regarding treason, were sometimes made use of as engines of ty.

ranny. Offences against the person of the king, and of some members of the royal family, and against some of the king's prerogatives were thus construed. Our law, distinguishes between the government itself, and the rulers. Assaults upon the chief magistrate of the nation are in the eye of our law, offences of the same grade as assaults upon the humblest private individual.

What testimony is requisite to convict a person of treason? What is the meaning of "overt act?" Ans. Some open, manifest act in distinction from design or intention residing in the mind, and not expressed by any deed.

Remark. In England the celebrated Algernon Sydney was executed for high treason, simply on account of some papers on government, found in his possession, and construed to be of a treasonable nature.

Who are authorized to declare the punishment of treason? What is the punishment as declared by law of congress? Ans. Death. What restriction is placed upon the power of congress to declare the punishment of treason? What is meant by working "corruption of blood ?" Ans. Destroying its inheritable

qualities, that is, rendering it impossible for any person to inherit estate from or through the person attainted?

ARTICLE IV.

SEC. 1. What is the object of the rule which requires full faith and credit to be given in each state to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state? Ans. It is to facilitate the purposes of justice which might be obstructed, were it necessary to prove anew in each state what had been already proved before the courts of another. Who are authorized to prescribe the manner in which such acts, records and proceedings shall be proved and their effect? What have oon. gress by law declared shall be their effect? Ans. They are to have in every court of the United States the same effect which they have in the courts of the state from which they are taken. What is meant by "their effect?" Ans. The degree of credit to be attached to them.

SEC. 2. To what privileges and immuni ties are the citizens of each state entitled in the other states? What was the object of this rule? Ans. The object of the union being

to make the United States one nation, it was a matter of course that the citizens of the United States, should not on account of removal from one state to another be laid under disabilities, but enjoy the same advantages as the citizens of the latter state.

In what manner can a person fleeing from one state into another, to escape justice, be delivered up, to be removed into the state which has jurisdiction of the crime?

What is the provision of the constitution which prevents a person held to service from becoming free by escaping into another state? SEC. 3. Who are authorized to admit new states into the union? How many states have been admitted since the adoption of the constitution? Ans. Eleven. What restrictions are placed upon the authority of congress to admit new states?

Who are authorized to dispose of, and make rules for the regulation of the territory, and other property of the United States? It is said that "nothing in the constitution shall be construed to prejudice any claim of the United States or of any particular state;" to what claim is allusion made? Ans. To claims of unsettled lands, about which there was at the

time of the formation of the constitution, some dispute.

SEC. 4. What form of government do the United States guaranty to every state in the union?

Remark. All the members of the union have a particular interest in the forms of gov ernment of each other, since those forms may affect the well being of the union. Besides, to promote the general welfare is one of the great objects of the union. In what way can it be more effectually promoted than by this combination against any but the freest form of government?

Against what are the United States bound to protect each of the states?

ARTICLE V.

In what way may amendments to the constitution be made? What exceptions are made to the general rule concerning amendments? Repeat the clauses which it is declared, should not be altered prior to the year 1808.

ARTICLE VI.

Repeat the clause of the constitution by