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1st-10th Amendments

Text of the 1st through 10th Amendents to the U.S. Constitution (the Bill of Rights)

New Jersey's Original Parchment Bill of Rights

State of New Jersey

An Act to ratify on the part of this State
certain Amendments to the Constitution of
the United States.


Whereas the Congress of the United States begun and held at the City of New York on Wednesday the fourth Day of March one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine Resolved, two thirds of both houses concurring that sundry Articles be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States as amendments to the Constitution of the United States, all or any of which Articles when ratified by three fourths of the said Legislatures to be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the said Constitution: And Whereas the president of the United States did in pursuance of a Resolve of the Senate and house of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled transmit to the Governor of this State the amendments proposed by Congress which were by him laid before the Legislature for their Consideration, Wherefore,1. Be it enacted by the Council and General [pg. 1]


Assembly of this State, and it is hereby enacted by the Authority of the same, That the following Articles proposed by Congress in Addition to and amendment of the Constitution of the United States, to wit,

"Article the first.  After the first enumeration required by the first article of the Constitution there shall be one representative for every thirty thousand until the number shall amount to one hundred after which the proportion shall be so regulated by Congress that there shall be not less than one hundred representatives, nor less than one Representative for every forty thousand persons until the number of Representatives shall amount to two hundred after which the proportion shall be so regulated by Congress that there shall not be less than two hundred representatives, nor more than one Representative for every fifty thousand persons.

Article the third.  Congress shall make no law respecting an Establishment of Religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging [pg. 2]


the freedom of Speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to Assemble and to Petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Article the Fourth.  A well regulated Militia being necessary to the Security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed.

Article the Fifth.  No Soldier shall in time of peace be Quartered in any House, without the Consent of the owner, nor in time of War but in a manner to be prescribed by Law.

Article the Sixth.  The right of the People to be secure in their persons, Houses, Papers, and effects against unreasonable Searches and Seizures shall not be violated and no Warrants shall issue but upon probable cause supported by Oath or Affirmation and particularly discribing the place to be searched and the person or things to be seized.

Article the Seventh.  No person shall be held to answer for a Capital, or otherwise infamous Crime unless on a presentment or Indictment of a Grand [pg. 3]


Jury except in cases arising in the land or Naval forces, or in the Militia when in actual Service in time of War or public danger nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in Jeopardy of life or limb nor shall be compelled in any Criminal case to be a Witness against himself nor be deprived of life liberty or property without due process of law nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation.

Article the eighth.  In all criminal Prosecutions the Accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public tryal by an impartial Jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed which district shall have been previously ascertained by Law and to be informed of the nature and cause of the Accusation to be confronted with the Witnesses against him, to have compulsory process for obtaining Witnesses in his favour and to have the assistance of Counsel for his defence.

Article the Ninth.  In Suits at common Law where the Value in controversy shall exceed [pg. 4]


twenty Dollars the right of tryal by Jury shall be preserved and no fact tryed by a Jury shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States than according to the Rules of the common Law.

Article the Tenth.  Excessive Bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Article the eleventh.  The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage others Retained by the People.

Article the twelfth.  The Powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States are reserved to the States respectively or to the people." be and the same are hereby ratified and adopted by the State of New Jersey.

  • Council Chamber Nov.m 20th—1789
    This Bill having been three times read in Council.
    Resolved, That the same do pass.
         By Order of the House
    Wil. Livingston Pres'd.

  • House of Assembly November 19th 1789
    This Bill having been three times read in this House
    Resolved That the same do pass.
         By Order of the House
    John Beatty
    Speaker

[pg. 5]


An Act to ratify on the part of this State certain amendments to the Constitution of the United States House of Assembly November 19th 1789 This Bill having been three times read in this House is pased. Maskell Ewing Council Chamber Nov.m 20th 1789 This Bill having been three times read in Council is passed. — B. Reed [pg. 6]


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