named as the place of meeting. This example was followed by some of the States, and commissioners from five of them met in Annapolis the ensuing September. It was soon perceived, that in order to produce any beneficial result, the representation ought to be more general, and the powers of the delegates more ample; and the convention therefore adjourned, after having agreed upon a report, to be made to the respective States, representing the necessity of a complete revision of the federal system, and recommending the appointment of deputies for this purpose, to meet in convention, in Philadelphia on the second day of the ensuing May. This recommendation also received the sanction of Congress, who adopted a resolution on the 21st of February, 1787, declaring that "in the opinion of Congress, it was expedient that on the second Monday in May next, a convention of delegates, who shall have been appointed by the several States, be held in Philadelphia, for the sole and express purpose of revising the articles of confederation, and reporting to Congress, and the several legislatures, such alterations and provisions therein, as shall, when agreed to in Congress, and confirmed by the States, render the federal Constitution adequate to the exigencies of government, and the preservation of the union."

Under this authority, deputies from all the States, except Rhode Island, assembled in Philadelphia, in the month of May, and having chosen General Washington president of the Convention, proceeded to deliberate upon the objects of their meeting, with closed doors. After a session of several months, during which time they were constantly occupied with the important subject intrusted to them, they agreed upon the present Constitution, which was transmitted to Congress, to be submitted to the people of the several States, for their ratification and adoption.

It was accompanied by a letter to Congress, written by General Washington, as president of the Convention, in which, after stating the necessity of a new organization of government, he says: "It is obviously impracticable, in the federal government of these States, to secure all rights of independent sovereignty to each, and yet provide for the interest and safety of all. Individuals entering into society, must. give up a share of liberty to preserve the rest. In all our deliberations on this subject, we kept steadily in our view, that which appears to us the greatest interest of every true American, the consolidation of our Union, in which is involved our prosperity, felicity, safety, perhaps our national existence. This important consideration, seriously and deeply impressed upon our minds, led each State in the Convention to be less rigid on points of inferior magnitude, than might have been otherwise expected; and thus, the Constitution, which we now present, is the result of a spirit of amity, and of that mutual deference and concession, which the peculiarity of our political situation rendered indispensable."

The Constitution thus prepared was submitted by Congress, to the people of each State, assembled in conventions, called for this purpose. In this respect, it differed essentially from the former articles of confederation; which were formed and ratified by the State legislatures, without the intervention of the people; but the present government of the Union is founded on the broad basis of the will of the people, and derives all its authority from their ratification.

After a minute examination of every article in the several State conventions, during a period of several months, in which time, the most distinguished men in the country were engaged in its consideration, and its greatest talents and ingenuity were exerted in the attack and defence, the Constitution was finally rati

fied by eleven States, and preparations were made for carrying it into operation on the 4th of March, 1789, when the new government was organized, and commenced its career under the direction of General Washington; who was unanimously elected the first President. North Carolina and Rhode Island, the only dissenting States, at length agreed to adopt it, and in June, 1790, it comprised all the members of the original confederacy. The animosity of opposition soon subsided, public credit was restored, public. confidence established; and the beneficial influence of the new system was felt in the promotion of national and individual prosperity, which has ever since continued to flourish under its protection.

CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.

Preamble.

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.

Of the Legislature.

SECTION I.

1. 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.

SECTION 11.

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.

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.

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

4. When vacancies happen in the representation from any state, the