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]
