

                               THE BILL OF RIGHTS

                                    PREAMBLE

        PREAMBLE TO THE BILL OF RIGHTS OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED
                              STATES OF AMERICA

        Conventions of a number of  States, having at the time  of their
        adopting  the  Constitution,  expressed  a  desire,  in order to
        prevent misconstruction  or abuse  of its  powers, that  further
        declaratory  and  restrictive  clauses  should  be added: And as
        extending the  ground of  public confidence  in the  Government,
        will but ensure the beneficent ends of its institution

   RESOLVED...the following articles be ... part of the said Constitution;

      NOTE: THIS PREAMBLE IS NOT OFFICIALLY A PART OF THE CONSTITUTION



                        The Amendments to the Constitution

                                  Ratified 1791

        ARTICLES IN ADDITION TO,  AND AMENDMENT OF, THE  CONSTITUTION OF
        THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, PROPOSED BY CONGRESS, AND RATIFIED
        BY THE LEGISLATURES OF THE  SEVERAL STATES, PURSUANT TO THE  5th
        ARTICLE OF THE ORIGINAL CONSTITUTION.

        (The first  10 Amendments  were ratified  15 December  1791, and
        form what is known as the 'Bill of Rights'.)

                                   AMENDMENT I

        Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of  reli-
        gion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the
        freedom of speech, or of the  press; or the right of the  people
        peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a  re-
        dress of grievances.

                                   AMENDMENT II

        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.

                                   AMENDMENT III

        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.

                                   AMENDMENT IV

        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  particu-
        larly describing the  place to be  searched, and the  persons or
        things to be seized.

                                   AMENDMENT V

        No person shall  be held to  answer for a  capital, or otherwise
        infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand
        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.

                                   AMENDMENT VI

        In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the  right
        to a speedy and public trial, 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  favor, and to  have the
        Assistance of Counsel for his defence.

                                   AMENDMENT VII

        In suits  at common  law, where  the value  in controversy shall
        exceed  twenty  dollars,  the  right  of  trial by jury shall be
        preserved,  and  no  fact  tried  by  a jury, shall be otherwise
        reexamined in any Court of the United States, than according  to
        the rules of the common law.

                                   AMENDMENT VIII

        Excessive bail shall  not be required,  nor excessive fines  im-
        posed, nor cruel and unusual punishment inflicted.

                                   AMENDMENT IX

        The enumeration  in the  Constitution, of  certain rights, shall
        not be  construed to  deny or  disparage others  retained by the
        people.

                                   AMENDMENT X

        The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitu-
        tion, nor prohibited to it by the States, are reserved to the
        States respectively, or to the people.