The Making of the U.S. Constitution Transcription of This Introduction as Well as the U.S. Constitution from That the First Volume of the Annals of Congress.

After compiled the first discussions and proceedings of Congress for publication in 1834 that he opted to present the initial volume with a concise history of the making of this Constitution followed by the text from the Constitution itself," as originally adopted," which is, with no adjustments we all know as the Bill of Rights. Below is that Introduction to quantity 1 of this Annals of Congress.                                                                                       

INTRODUCTION

Very shortly after the Treaty of Peace, where the Freedom of the United States was approved by the Government where they had effected their separation, the desire of a general superintending authority over trade, together with the correlative power of taxation, has been nearly universally believed, and quite commonly deplored by the people of the States, although not to the same extent whatsoever.

It had been easier to observe that the flaw, and also to feel that the evils which flowed from it to supply the remedy. Intelligent citizens, nevertheless, shortly busied themselves in devising the way of forming a Union, which ought to have the required authority, and eventually become the basis of particular and durable wealth.

Of the Way the desired thing was consummated, the following short account is condensed from Life of Washington, the very authentic history of the period:

While the urges for Union were devoting themselves to match its requirement on the mind, steps were shot in Virginia, which, although originating in various views, declared in a proposal for an overall Convention to revise the condition of this Union.

To produce a compact relative to the navigation of those rivers Potomac and Pocomoke, as well as a part of the bay of Chesapeake, commissioners were appointed by the Legislatures of both Virginia and Maryland, that constructed in Alexandria, in March 1785. While in Mount Vernon to a trip, they agreed to suggest to their respective Governments the appointment of different commissioners, with electricity to generate conjoint structures, to which the assent of Congress was solicited, for keeping up a naval force from the Chesapeake; and also to establish a succession of duties on imports, to the legislation of both States must conform. Whenever these propositions obtained the assent of the Legislature of Virginia, an extra resolution has been passed, directing what honored the duties on imports to be communicated to each of the States from the Union, that had been encouraged to send deputies to the assembly.

About the 21st of January, 1786, a Couple of Days following the passing of these settlements, yet another was embraced by the Exact Same Legislature, devoting particular commissioners," who had been to fulfill these as could be appointed by

Page another States from the Union, in a time and should be agreed on, to take under consideration the trade of the United States; to inspect the relative position and transaction from the said States; to consider just how far a uniform system in their commercial relations could be necessary for their common interest and their permanent harmony; and also to report to the several States such action relative to the fantastic object, as, when ratified by them, will allow the USA, in Congress assembled, effectually to provide for the same"

From the circular letter expressing those settlements to the various States, Annapolis, in Maryland, has been suggested as the location, and the resultant September at the time, of fulfilling.

The Convention in Annapolis was attended by commissioners from just five States, [New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Virginia.] These, after devoting Mr. DICKINSON that their Chairman, went to go over the items for which they'd convened. Perceiving that more abundant abilities would have to influence the beneficial purposes that they considered, and expecting to secure representation by a larger number of States, the Convention decided to increase without coming to some particular resolutions on the specific topic which was known to them. Past to their adjournment, however, they consented to a Report to be made for their States, where they represented the necessity of expanding the revision of the national system to all of its flaws, also advocated that Deputies for this function be appointed by the several Legislatures, to meet Convention from the city of Philadelphia, on the next day of the consequent May.

The reasons for preferring a Convention into a discussion of the topic in Congress were said to be, "that, at the latter body, it may be too much translated by the normal business before them, and might, moreover, be alert to their precious counsels of sundry people who were cheered from the laws or constitution of certain States, or even from odd conditions, by a seat in that meeting."

A copy of the Report was sent to Congress at a letter by the Chairman, saying the inefficacy of the Federal Government, along with the requirement of devising such additional provisions as might render it adequate to the exigencies of the Union.

On getting this Report, the Legislature of Virginia passed an act for the appointment of Deputies, to fulfill these as may be appointed with additional States; to build in Convention in Philadelphia, at the moment, and for the purposes defined at the recommendation in the Convention that had met at Annapolis.

In that time and place appointed, the Agents of twelve States convened. In Rhode Island alone, a soul sufficiently hostile to each species of reform has been discovered, to protect against the election of Deputies on an event so normally deemed momentous. Having reluctantly picked GENERAL WASHINGTON to their President, the Convention proceeded, with shut doors, to go over the intriguing and comprehensive subject submitted for their thought.

About the 17th of September, the Constitution was introduced to the American people. The tool, with its corresponding resolutions,

We have the honor to submit to the thought of the USA in Congress assembled, that Constitution which has appeared to us the most advisable.

The size of the sacrifice must depend too on situation and circumstance, according to the object to be accessed. It's always difficult to draw with precision the line between those rights that must be surrendered, and those that could be maintained; and, on the present occasion, this problem was raised by a difference among the several States regarding their situation, extent, habits, and special interests.

With good regard, we've got the honor to be, your excellency's most obedient and humble servants. From the hierarchical order of this seminar.

Congress resolved, unanimously, the Report, together with all the letter accompanying it, be sent to the several Legislatures, to be submitted to a Convention of Delegates selected in each State by the People thereof.

Following a discussion of this Constitution at the majority of the many States, during that its eventual destiny suspended for a time in questionable and painful suspense, the Conventions of eleven out of the thirteen States assented to, and ratified the Constitution in another form:

CONSTITUTION OF THE USA,

SECTION 2.

The House of Representatives shall choose their Speaker, along with other officers, and will have the sole power of impeachment.

He will have power, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to make treaties, given two-thirds of those Senators present concur; he shall nominate. However, the Congress may, by law, vest the appointment of such inferior officers as they think appropriate in the President alone, in the courts of law, or the heads of sections.

1. All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the USA, which will consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.

The judicial power shall extend to all cases in law and equity arising under the constitution, the laws of the USA, and treaties made, or that will be made, under their jurisdiction; to all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers, and consuls; into most cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction.

SECTION 3.

The seats of the Senators of the first class shall be vacated at the beginning of the next year, of the next class after the fourth year, and of the third class after the sixth season, and so that one-third could be chosen every second year; and when vacancies happen, by resignation.

*The Amendments then adopted, and that is presently part of the Constitution, will probably be located in the Appendix, at the end of the volume.

Treason against the USA shall consist only in levying war against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them aid and comfort. No individual shall be convicted of treason unless on the testimony of 2 witnesses to the same overt act, or confession in open court.

SECTION 4.

The Congress shall assemble at least once in each calendar year, and such meeting shall be on the first Monday in December unless they shall by law appoint a different day.

The Congress, if two-thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose amendments to the constitution; yet, on the use of the Legislatures of all two-thirds of the several States, shall call a convention for proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid for all intents and purposes as part of the constitution.

The constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof, and all treaties made, or that will be produced, under the jurisdiction of the USA, are the supreme law of this property and the judges in every State shall be bound thereby, anything in the constitution or laws of any State to the contrary notwithstanding.

SECTION 5.

Neither House, during the session of Congress, shall, without the permission of the other, adjourn to over three days, nor to any other location than that where the two Houses shall be sitting.

SECTION 6.

The Senators and Representatives shall get compensation for their services, to be determined by law, and paid from the treasury of the USA. 

No Senator or Representative shall, during the period he had been elected, be appointed to any civil office under the jurisdiction of the USA, which will have been created, or the emoluments whereof shall have been increased during such period; and no individual holding any office under the USA will be a member of either House during his continuance in office.

SECTION 7.

All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; however, the Senate may propose or concur with amendments, as on other bills.

If, after such reconsideration, two-thirds of the House shall agree to pass the bill, it will be sent, along with the objections, to the other House, it shall become a law. But in all such cases, the votes of both Houses shall be determined by yeas and nays, as well as the titles of the individual voting for and against.

SECTION 8.

To lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises, to pay the debts, and provide for the Frequent defense and general welfare of the United States

To establish a uniform rule of naturalization, and uniform laws on the Topic of bankruptcies throughout the United States:

To declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules concerning captures on soil water:

To raise and support armies, but no appropriation of money to that use shall be for a longer-term than two decades:

To make rules for the regulation and government of the land and naval forces:

To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the militia, and for governing such Part of them as might be utilized in the support of America, reserving to the States respectively the appointment of these officers, and the authority of training the militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress:

SECTION 9.

No bill of attainder, or ex post facto legislation, will be passed.

SECTION 10.

He will hold his office during the term of four Decades, also, together with the Vice President, chosen for the Exact Same term, be elected as follows:

However, in choosing the President, the votes will be taken by States, the representation from every two-thirds of those States, and the vast majority of the States shall be necessary to a decision. In each scenario, after the option of the President, the person having the best number of votes of the electors shall be the Vice President. However, if there should remain two or more who have equal Votes, the Senate shall pick from them, by ballot, the Vice President.

The President of the Senate shall, at the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates, and the votes shall then be counted. The person with the best number of votes will be the President if such number be a vast majority of the whole number of Electors appointed; and should there are more than one who have such Majority and have an equal number of votes, then the House of Representatives shall immediately select, by ballot, one of them for President; and if no person have a majority, then from the five highest on the list the said House shall, in such manner, choose the President.

No individual, except a natural-born citizen, or a citizen of the USA in the time of the adoption of the constitution, shall be entitled to the office of President; neither will any person be eligible to that office who shall not have reached age thirty-five decades, and been fourteen years a resident within the USA.

Before he enters on the execution of the office he shall take the following oath or affirmation