# 1862 Territory of Dakota Session Laws/Constitution of the United States

Layout 2
CONSTITUTION
OF
THE UNITED STATES.
PreambleWe, 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.
SECTION I.
Legislative powers vested in congress.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 II
House of representatives—it's members; by whom chosen; qualifications of electors.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.
A representative to be 25; 7 years a citizen of the United States; and an inhabitant of his State when elected.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.
Representatives and taxes to be apportioned according to numbers.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. Actual enumeration every ten yearsThe 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. Limitation of the ratio of representation, &c.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, First apportionment of representatives.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.
Writs of election for filling vacancies4. When vacancies happen in the representation from any state, the executive authority thereof shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies.
House of representatives to choose speaker, &c., and have power of impeachment5. The house of representatives shall choose their speaker and other officers; and shall have the sole power of impeachment.
SECTION III.
Senators, how chosen; each to have a vote.1. The senate of the United States shall be composed of two senators from each state, chosen by the legislature thereof, for six years; and each senator shall have one vote.
Senate divided into three classes; to be chosen every two years.2. Immediately after they shall be assembled in consequence of the first election, they shall be divided, as equally as may be, into three classes. The seats of the senators of the first class shall be vacated at the expiration of the second year, of the second class at the expiration of the fourth year, and of the third class at the expiration of the sixth year, so that one third may be chosen every second year;Executives of states to fill vacancies in the recess of legislatures, &c. and if vacancies happen by resignation, or otherwise, during the recess of the legislature of any state, the executive thereof may make temporary appointments until the next meeting of the legislature, which shall then fill such vacancies.
A senator aged 30; nine years a citizen of the United States and an inhabitant of his state when chosen.3. No person shall be a senator who shall not have attained to the age of thirty years, and been nine years a citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that state for which he shall be chosen.
Vice-president to be president of the senate; to vote on a equal div. only.4. The vice-president of the United States shall be president of the senate, but shall have no vote, unless they be equally divided.
The senate to choose their president pro tempore, &c.5. The senate shall choose their other officers, and also a president pro tempore in the absence of the vice-president, or when he shall exercise the office of president of the United States.
The senate have the sole power to try impeachments, &c.6. The senate shall have the sole power to try all impeachments. When sitting for that purpose, they shall be on oath or affirmation. When the president of the United States is tried, the chief justice ​shall preside: and no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two thirds of the members present.
Extent of judgement in cases of impeachment; but the party further liable by indictment at law7. Judgment, in cases of impeachment, shall not extend further than to removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust, or profit under the United States: but the party convicted shall, nevertheless, be liable and subject to indictment, trial, judgment, and punishment, according to law.
SECTION IV.
Times, &c. of holding elections for senators and representatives regulated by the states or by congress.1. The times, places, and manner of holding elections for senators and representatives shall be prescribed in each state by the legislature thereof; but the congress may, at any time, by law, make or alter such regulations, except as to the places of choosing senators.
Congress to assemble annually the 1st Monday in Dec. unless, &c.2. The congress shall assemble at least once in every year; and such meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall by law appoint a different day.
SECTION V.
Each house judge of the election and qualification of it's own members.1. Each house shall be the judge of the elections, returns, and qualifications of its own members; Quorum.and a majority of each shall constitute a quorum to do business; but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the attendance of absent members, in such manner and under such penalties as each house may provide.
Each house to form its own rules and punish its members.2. Each house may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its members for disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence of two thirds, expel a member.
Journals of each house. Yeas and nays, how taken.3. Each house shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such parts as may, in their judgment, require secrecy; and the yeas and nays of the members of either house on any question shall, at the desire of one fifth of those present, be entered on the journal.
Adjournment of both houses.4. Neither house, during the session of congress, shall, without the consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other place than that in which the two houses shall be sitting.
SECTION VI.
Senators and representatives to be paid, &c.; privileged from arrest; not to be questioned for debate, &c.1. The senators and representatives shall receive a compensation for their services, to be ascertained by law, and paid out of the treasury of the United States. They shall, in all cases, except treason, felony, and breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest during their attendance at the session of their respective houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any speech or debate in either house they shall not be questioned in any other place.
​Concerning the holding of offices by senators and representatives.2. No senator or representative shall, during the time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil office under the authority of the United States which shall have been created, or the emoluments whereof shall have been increased, during such time; and no person holding any office under the United States shall be a member of either house during his continuance in office.
SECTION VII.
Revenue bill to originate in the house of representatives, &c.1. All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the house of representatives; but the senate may propose or concur with amendments, as on other bills.
Powers of the president and of congress in the enacting of laws and the forms of proceeding on bills in that respect.2. Every bill which shall have passed the house of representatives and the senate shall, before it become a law, be presented to the president of the United States; if he approve, he shall sign it; but if not, he shall return it, with his objections, to that house in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the objections at large on their journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If, after such reconsideration, two thirds of that house shall agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, together with the objections, to the other house, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that house, it shall become a law. But in all such cases the votes of both houses shall be determined by yeas and nays; and the names of the persons voting for and against the bill shall be entered on the journal of each house respectively. If any bill shall not be returned by the president within ten days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the same shall be a law, in like manner as if he had signed it, unless the congress, by their adjournment, prevent its return; in which case it shall not be a law.
Joint resolutions, except for adjournment, to receive the same sanction as bills.3. Every order, resolution, or vote, to which the concurrence of the senate and house of representatives may be necessary (except on a question of adjournment), shall be presented to the president of the United States; and before the same shall take effect, shall be approved by him; or, being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two thirds of the senate and house of representatives, according to the rules and limitations prescribed in the case of a bill.
SECTION VIII.
Congress shall have power, 1st, to lay taxes, &c.The congress shall have power,—
1. To lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises; to pay the debts and provide for the common defence and general welfare of the United States; but all duties, imposts, and excises shall be uniform throughout the United States:
2. Bor. money.2. To borrow money on the credit of the United States:
​3. Regulate commerce.3. To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states, and with the Indian tribes:
4. Establish the rule of naturalization and bankrupt laws.4. To establish an uniform rule of naturalization, and uniform laws on the subject of bankruptcies, throughout the United States:
5. Coin money, &c., and fix weights and measures.5. To coin money, regulate the value thereof, and of foreign coin, and fix the standard of weights and measures:
6. Provide for punishing counterfeiters.6. To provide for the punishment of counterfeiting the securities and current coin of the United States:
7. Establish post-offices, &c.7. To establish post-offices and post-roads:
8. Patent rights.8. To promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing, for limited times, to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries:
9. To constitute inferior tribunals, &c.9. To constitute tribunals inferior to the supreme court:
10. To define and punish piracies and felonies committed on the high seas, and offences against the law of nations:
11. To declare war, &c.11. To declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules concerning captures on land and water:
12. Raise armies, &c.12. To raise and support armies; but no appropriation of money to that use shall be for a longer term than two years:
13. Provide a navy.13. To provide and maintain a navy:
14. Make rules for army and navy.14. To make rules for the government and regulation of the land and naval forces:
15. Provide for calling forth the militia.15. To provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the union, suppress insurrections, and repel invasions:
16. Provide for organizing the militia, &c.16. To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the militia, and for governing such part of them as may be employed in the service of the United States, reserving to the states respectively the appointment of the officers, and the authority of training the militia, according to the discipline prescribed by congress:
17. Exercise exclusive jurisdiction over a district, and places for forts, &c.17. To exercise exclusive legislation, in all cases whatsoever, over such district (not exceeding ten miles square) as may, by cession of particular states, and the acceptance of congress, become the seat of government of the United States, and to exercise like authority over all places purchased by the consent of the legislature of the state in which the same shall be, for the erection of forts, magazines, arsenals, dock-yards, and other needful buildings: And,
18. Make all laws necessary to the execution of their powers.18. To make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this constitution in the government of the United States, or in any department or officer thereof.
SECTION IX.
Importation of certain persons not to be prohibited until after 1808.1. The migration or importation of such persons as any of the states, now existing, shall think proper to admit, shall not be ​ prohibited by the congress prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight; but a tax or duty may be imposed on such importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each person.
Habeas corpus.2. The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless when, in cases of rebellion or invasion, the public safety may require it.
No bill of attainder or ex post facto law.3. No bill of attainder, or ex post facto law, shall be passed.
Direct taxes according to census.4. No capitation or other direct tax shall be laid, unless in proportion to the census or enumeration herein before directed to be taken.
No export duty, nor preference of one State to another in commerce.5. No tax or duty shall be laid on articles exported from any state. No preference shall be given, by any regulation of commerce or revenue, to the ports of one state over those of another; nor shall vessels bound to or from one state be obliged to enter, clear, or pay duties in another.
Public moneys, how drawn, &c.6. No money shall be drawn from the treasury, but in consequence of appropriations made by law; and a regular statement and account of the receipts and expenditures of all public money shall be published from time to time.
No titles of nobility. No presents, &c.7. No title of nobility shall be granted by the United States; and no person holding any office of profit or trust under them shall, without the consent of congress, accept of any present, emolument, office, or title of any kind whatever, from any king, prince, or foreign state.
SECTION X
Restrictions on the power of the states individually.1. No state shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or confederation; grant letters of marque and reprisal; coin money; emit bills of credit; make any thing but gold and silver coin a tender in payment of debts; pass any bill of attainder, ex post facto law, or law impairing the obligation of contracts; or grant any title of nobility.
Powers which the states can exercise only under the sanction of congress.2. No state shall, without the consent of the congress, lay any imposts or duties on imports or exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing its inspection laws; and the net produce of all duties and imposts laid by any state on imports or exports, shall be for the use of the treasury of the United States; and all such laws shall be subject to the revision and control of the congress. No state shall, without the consent of congress, lay any duty of tonnage, keep troops or ships of war in time of peace, enter into any agreement or compact with another state, or with a foreign power, or engage in war, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent danger as will not admit of delay.
ARTICLE II.
SECTION I.
Executive power vested in a president, &c.1. The executive power shall be vested in a president of the United States of America. He shall hold his office during the term of four years, and, together with the vice-president, chosen for the same term, be elected as follows:
Electors of president and vice-president.2. Each state shall appoint, in such manner as the legislature thereof may direct, a number of electors, equal to the whole number of senators and representatives to which the state may be entitled in the congress; but no senator or representative, or person holding an office of trust or profit under the United States, shall be appointed an elector.
3. [Annulled. See Amendments, Art. 12.]
Congress may fix the time of choosing the electors, &c.4. The congress may determine the time of choosing the electors, and the day on which they shall give their votes; which day shall be the same throughout the United States.
Qualifications of president.5. No person except a natural-born citizen, or a citizen of the United States at the time of the adoption of this constitution, shall be eligible to the office of president; neither shall any person be eligible to that office who shall not have attained to the age of thirty-five years, and been fourteen years a resident within the United States.
In case of vacancy in the office of president, the vice-president to act, &c.6. In case of the removal of the president from office, or of his death, resignation, or inability to discharge the powers and duties of the said office, the same shall devolve on the vice-president; and the congress may by law provide for the case of removal, death, resignation, or inability, both of the president and vice-president, declaring what officer shall then act as president, and such officer shall act accordingly, until the disability be removed, or a president shall be elected.
Compensation to the president.7. The president shall, at stated times, receive for his services a compensation which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the period for which he shall have been elected; and he shall not receive, within that period, any other emolument from the United States, or any of them.
The president to take an oath.8. Before he enter on the execution of his office, he shall take the following oath or affirmation:
Form of the oath."I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of president of the United States, and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the constitution of the United States."
SECTION II.
The president is commander-in-chief—he may require opinions of executive officers, and may grant pardons, &c.1. The president shall be commander-in-chief of the army and navy of the United States, and of the militia of the several states, when called into the actual service of the United States; he may require the opinion, in writing, of the principal officer in each of the executive departments upon any subject relating to the duties of their respective offices; and he shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offences against the United States, except in cases of impeachment.
He may, by advice of the senate, make treaties, appoint ambassadors and other officers; but congress may vest certain appointments otherwise.2. He shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of the senate, to make treaties, provided two thirds of the senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the advice and consent of the senate, shall appoint ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, judges of the supreme court, and all other officers of the United States whose appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by law. But the congress may, by law, vest the appointment of such inferior officers as they think proper in the president alone, in the courts of law, or in the heads of departments.
President may fill vacancies in recess.3. The president shall have power to fill up all vacancies that may happen during the recess of the senate, by granting commissions, which shall expire at the end of their next session.
SECTION III.
President to recommend measures to congress, &c., may convene and adjourn congress on certain occasions, shall receive ambassadors, see the laws executed, and commission officers.He shall, from time to time, give to the congress information of the state of the union, and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary occasions, convene both houses, or either of them, and in case of disagreement between them with respect to the time of adjournment, he may adjourn them to such time as he shall think proper; he shall receive ambassadors, and other public ministers; he shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed; and shall commission all the officers of the United States.
SECTION IV.
President and other officers removable by impeachment.The president, vice-president, and all civil officers of the United States, shall be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.
ARTICLE III.
SECTION I.
Judicial power vested in a supreme court, &c.; judges to hold their offices during good behavior.The judicial power of the United States shall be vested in one supreme court, and in such inferior courts as the congress may, from ​time to time, ordain and establish. The judges, both of the supreme and inferior courts, shall hold their offices during good behavior, and shall, at stated times, receive for their services a compensation which shall not be diminished during their continuance in office.
SECTION II.
Extent of the judicial power.1. The judicial power shall extend to all cases, in law and equity, arising under this constitution, the laws of the United States, and treaties made, or which shall be made, under their authority; to all cases affecting ambassadors, and other public ministers and consuls; to all cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction; to controversies to which the United States shall be a party; to controversies between two or more states; between a state and citizens of another state; between citizens of different states; between citizens of the same state, claiming lands under grants of different states, and between a state, or the citizens thereof, and foreign states, citizens, or subjects.
Original and appellate jurisdiction of the supreme court.2. In all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers, and consuls, and those in which a state shall be a party, the supreme court shall have original jurisdiction. In all the other cases before mentioned, the supreme court shall have appellate jurisdiction, both as to law and fact, with such exceptions, and under such regulations, as the congress shall make.
Trial of crimes to by by jury.3. The trial of all crimes, except in cases of impeachment, shall be by jury; and such trial shall be held in the state where the said crimes shall have been committed; The venue.but when not committed within any state, the trial shall be at such place or places as the congress may by law have directed.
SECTION III.
Definition of treason, &c.1. Treason against the United States shall consist only in levying, war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort. No person shall be convicted of treason, unless on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open court.
Congress to declare the punishment of treason, &c.2. The congress shall have power to declare the punishment of treason; but no attainder of treason shall work corruption of blood, or forfeiture, except during the life of the person attainted.
ARTICLE IV.
SECTION I.
Credit to be given in one State to the public acts, &c. of another.Full faith and credit shall be given in each state to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other State. And the ​ congress may, by general laws, prescribe the manner in which such acts, records, and proceedings shall be proved, and the effect thereof.
SECTION II.
Reciprocity of citizenship throughout the states.1. The citizens of each state shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of citizens in the several states.
Criminals flying from one state to another to be delivered up.2. A person charged in any state with treason, felony, or other crime, who shall flee from justice, and be found in another state, shall, on demand of the executive authority of the state from which he fled, be delivered up to be removed to the state having jurisdiction of the crime.
Runaway slaves, &c. to be delivered up.3. No person held to service or labor in one state, under the laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in consequence of any law or regulation therein, be discharged from such service or labor, but shall be delivered up on claim of the party to whom such service or labor may be due.
SECTION III.
New States may be admitted into the union, &c.1. New states may be admitted by the congress into this union; but no new state shall be formed or erected within the jurisdiction of any other state; nor any state be formed by the junction of two or more states, or parts of states, without the consent of the legislatures of the states concerned, as well as of the congress.
Congress to have power of territory, &c.2. The congress shall have power to dispose of and make all needful rules and regulations respecting the territory or other property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this constitution shall be so construed as to prejudice any claims of the United States, or of any particular state.
SECTION IV.
Republican form of government guaranteed to each State, &c.The United States shall guarantee to every state in this union a republican form of government, and shall protect each of them against invasion, and, on application of the legislature, or of the executive (when the legislature cannot be convened) against domestic violence.
ARTICLE V.
Mode of amending the constitution.The congress, whenever two thirds of both houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose amendments to this constitution, or, on the application of the legislatures of two thirds of the several states, shall call a convention for proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of this constitution, when ratified by the legislatures of three fourths of the several states, or by conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other ​mode of ratification may be proposed by the congress; provided that no amendment which may be made prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any manner affect the first and fourth clauses in the ninth section of the first article; and that no state, without its consent, shall be deprived of its equal suffrage in the senate.
ARTICLE VI.
Assumption of debts incurred under the confederation.1. All debts contracted, and engagements entered into, before the adoption of this constitution, shall be as valid against the United States, under this constitution, as under the confederation.
This constitution, acts of congress and treaties, the supreme law—the state judges bound thereby.2. This constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof; and all treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the land; and the judges in every state shall be bound thereby; any thing in the constitution or laws of any state to the contrary notwithstanding.
Members of congress and of the state legislatures, &c. bound by oath to support this constitution.3. The senators and representatives before mentioned, and the members of the several state legislatures, and all executive and judicial officers, both of the United States and of the several states, shall be bound by oath or affirmation to support this constitution; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.
ARTICLE VII.
Ratification of nine states, sufficient, &c.The ratification of the conventions of nine states shall be sufficient for the establishment of this constitution between the states so ratifying the same.
Done in convention, by the unanimous consent of the States present, the seventeenth day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-seven, and of the independence of the United States of America the twelfth. In witness whereof, we have hereunto subscribed our names.
GEORGE WASHINGTON, President and Deputy from Virginia.
NEW HAMPSHIRE. John Langdon, Nicholas Gilman.
CONNECTICUT. Wm. Samuel Johnston, Roger Sherman.
MASSACHUSETTS. Nathaniel Gorham, Rufus King.
NEW YORK. Alexander Hamilton.
​NEW JERSEY. William Livingston, William Patterson, David Brearley, Jonathan Dayton.
PENNSYLVANIA. Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Mifflin, Robert Morris, George Clymer, Thomas Fitzsimons, Jared Ingersoll, James Wilson, Gouverneur Morris.
DELAWARE. George Read, Gunning Bedford, Jr., John Dichinson, Richard Bassett, Jacob Broom.
MARYLAND. James M'Henry, Dan'l of St. Tho. Jenifer, Daniel Carroll.
VIRGINIA. John Blair, James Madison, Jr.
NORTH CAROLINA. William Blount, Rich. Dobbs Spaight, Hugh Williamson.
SOUTH CAROLINA. John Rutledge, Charles C. Pinckney, Charles Pinckney, Pierce Butler.
GEORGIA. William Few, Abraham Baldwin.
| Attest, | WILLIAM JACKSON, Secretary. |