The Constitution of the United States of America ...

CONTENTS.

AN ANALYTICAL INDEX OF THE CONSTITUTION AND AMENDMENTS WILL BE
SEEN AT PAGE 38, AND AN INDEX TO THE RESIDUE OF THE MATTER CONTAINED IN
THIS VOLUME WILL BE FOUND AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE BOOK.

CHAPTER 1.

1. THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES

2. The dates of ratification of the Constitution by the Thirteen original States 24

3. THE ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION........ 25

4. The verification of the Constitution and amendments by the Secretary of

State

5. The Headings and dates of ratification of the amendments of the Constitu-

tion

6. AN ANALYTICAL INDEX OF THE CONSTITUTION as amended 38

CHAPTER 2.

Introductory remarks to this Chapter

129

OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS, AND THE CAUSES WHICH LED TO

THE ADOPTION AND RATIFICATION OF THE CONSTITU-

TION OF THE UNITED STATES, viz:.......

130

1. REPORT OF A COMMITTEE OF THE CONGRESS OF THE CON-

FEDERATION, on the objections of one of the States to confer certain

powers on Congress with regard to revenue and commerce. 16th De-

cember, 1782...

2. ADDRESS OF CONGRESS TO THE STATES, calling upon their jus-

tice and plighted faith, and representing the consequences of a failure

on their part to sustain the Government and provide for its wants. 26th

April, 1783...

131

139

3. PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTIONS OF CONGRESS, presenting the

exposed condition of the trade and commerce with foreign countries,

and the destructive effect of foreign policy, and recommending that

power for their protection be vested in Congress. 30th April, 1784.... 140

4. REPORT OF A COMMITTEE OF CONGRESS, with a statement of the

reasons why the States should confer upon Congress the powers therein

enumerated. 13th July, 1785....

5. REPORT OF A COMMITTEE OF CONGRESS, showing the failure

of the States to comply with the requisitions of Congress, and the neces-

sity for a complete accession of all the States to the Revenue System.

15th February, 1786...

142

146

6. REPORT OF A COMMITTEE OF CONGRESS, relating to the con-

tinued non-compliance of some of the States with the requisitions of Con-

gress, and recommending the subject again to their consideration.

3d March, 1786......

7. REPORT OF A COMMITTEE OF CONGRESS again earnestly recom-
mending the subject to the consideration of the States. 23d October,
1786..

8. BRIEF HISTORICAL VIEW OF THE ACTS OF THE STATES

which led to the formation and adoption of the Constitution of the United

States

9. RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS appointing committees to repair to the
States, to make such representations as might induce them to carry the
requisitions of Congress into effect with the greatest despatch. 22d May,
1782.

10. RESOLUTIONS OF THE LEGISLATURE OF NEW YORK, on the

critical condition of affairs,-that the existing system exposed the com-

mon cause to a precarious issue, that the defects of the Confederation

should be speedily repaired, and recommending a General Convention

of the States for that purpose. 21st July, 1782

11. RESOLUTIONS OF THE LEGISLATURE OF VIRGINIA, recom-

mending to the States to empower Congress to regulate the trade and

commerce of the country. 30th November, 1785 ·

150

151

153

155

158

12. RESOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATURE OF VIRGINIA, appointing

commissioners to meet others to be appointed by the several States, to

take into consideration the trade and commerce, and to empower Con-

gress effectually to provide for the same. 21st January, 1786.......... 160

13. PROCEEDINGS AND REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS FROM
SEVERAL OF THE STATES, AT ANNAPOLIS, recommending a
Convention to meet at Philadelphia, with ample powers to adopt a Con-
stitution adequate to the exigencies of the Union. 11-14th September,
1786.

161

14. PROCEEDINGS AND RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS OF THE

CONFEDERATION, calling a Convention at Philadelphia, to render

the Constitution adequate to the exigencies of the Government and the

preservation of the Union. 21st February, 1787
164

15. ACTS OF THE SEVERAL STATES FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF

DEPUTIES TO MEET IN CONVENTION WITH POWER TO

FORM A CONSTITUTION OF GOVERNMENT, viz.:

VIRGINIA. 16th October, 1786 ·

NEW JERSEY. 23d November, 1786...

PENNSYLVANIA. 30th December, 1786.

NORTH CAROLINA. 6th January, 1787.

DELAWARE. 3d February, 1787

GEORGIA. 10th February, 1787......

NEW YORK. 28th February, 1787

SOUTH CAROLINA. 8th March, 1787..

MASSACHUSETTS. 10th March, 1787

16. LETTER OF GEORGE WASHINGTON, the President, with Resolu-

tions of the Convention, laying the Constitution before Congress, to be

transmitted to the several States to be submitted to Conventions thereof

for ratification. 17th September, 1787...

187

17. RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS, transmitting the same to the States ac-

cordingly. 28th September, 1787...
189

18. PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTION OF THE CONGRESS OF THE

CONFEDERATION, in pursuance of the resolution of the Convention,

fixing a day for the appointment of electors, a day for them to vote for

President and Vice President, and the time and place for commencing

proceedings under the Constitution...

19. BRIEF HISTORICAL VIEW OF THE MANNER IN WHICH THE

GOVERNMENT COMMENCED ITS PROCEEDINGS UNDER THE

1. PROCEEDINGS IN THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED COLONIES

respecting Independence.

193

2. RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS DECLARING THE UNITED COLO-

NIES FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES. 2d July, 1776...... 195

3. A DECLARATION BY THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNI-

TED STATES OF AMERICA, IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED.

July 4, 1776..

195

CHAPTER 4.

1. APPOINTMENT OF GEORGE WASHINGTON TO BE GENERAL

AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE ARMY, BY THE CON-

GRESS OF THE UNITED COLONIES, on the 15th June, 1775.............. 201

2. ADDRESS OF GEORGE WASHINGTON, accepting the appointment

16th June, 1775..

3. COMMISSION OF GEORGE WASHINGTON for the same. 17th June,
1775.

4. RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS that they would maintain and assist
George Washington, and adhere to him in the maintenance and preser-
vation of American liberty, with their lives and fortunes. 17th June,
1775......

201

202

203

5. ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS of the Confedera-

tion to George Washington, on the termination of the war. 26th August,

1783

203

6. REPLY OF GEORGE WASHINGTON to the same. 26th August, 1783 204

7. INSCRIPTION AND REMARKS CONCERNING HOUDON'S STATUE

OF WASHINGTON.