E440 .5 T7R . 1 /o LIBRARY OF CONGRESS DDDD173fiE15 v *°M ^ ** -^. • • - at <> •* .•• \ *w* ••■ *«°* •SMS'.* > ^ r^\y v**. •' *> C-."V^'.-lfflK-/V^-'i * ^ t • .'V !.'• SECESSION AN ABSURDITY : IT IS PERJURY, TREASON & WAR ; TO WHICH ARK .ADDED TKEASON DEFINED, gedantiou of litirepttoa, . AND CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. By FRANCIS G. TREADWELL, COUNSELLOR AT LAW, Lttwrtr upon wki.l. To the Honorable Roger B Ta'.ey, Chief Justice, the Hon. John MoLeau, and other Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States. Affirmed to before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace inand for said County and District. B. W. Fkrquso.v, Jr. Wa shington, Dislrvi if Columbia, January 19&, 1 SGI. TREASON DEFINED: BY FRANCIS C. TREADWELL, COUNSELLOR' AT LAW, AND LECTURER UPON THE CONSTITUTION. TO WHICj: ARK ADDED, THI DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, AND THE CONSTITUTION THE UNITED STATES. NEW YORK : PUBLISHED AT THE PEOPLE'S RIGHTS OFFICE, 29 ANN-STREET. 1844. Price 10 cents PREFACE. The definition of Treason, in Art. 3, sec. 3, of the Constitution of the United States, though brief, would seem to be sufficiently explicit without a commentary. The idea that the crime of treason can, in a single sovereign nation, be committed against twenty-seven sovereign powers, seems too extravagant to need refutation. Hut since the several States have their acts upon treason, and since one of the purest and best men in one of them is now under sentence of solitary imprisonment for life for an alleged offence against one of these acts, a feeling of humanity, no less than of watchful vigilance tor liberty, demands of every friend of free government, an impartial examination of the validity of such a procedure. To diffuse the Constitution itself in a form convenient for the pocket of every individual, is deemed to be the best mode of making known the "supreme law of the land." If this attempt to expose the abuse of one of its important provisions shall be received with favour by the public, other similar abuses may hereafter be sought to be corrected in the same manner. Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1844, By FRANCIS C. TREADWELL, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Southern Dis- trict of New York. TREASON DEFINED. What is treason ? What is the punishment of that crime ? The Constitution of the United States, " the su preme law of the land," thus, in a few words, de- fines the crime of treason : " 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 per- son shall be convicted of treason unless on the testi- mony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open court." Art. III. Sec. 3. The next sentence empowers Congress " to declare the punishment of treason." " 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." In pursuance of this power, the Act of Congress of Ihe 3Uth April, 1790, declares: " If any person or persons, owing allegiance to the United States of America, shall levy war against them, or shall adhere to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort, within the United States, or elsewhere, and shall be thereof convicted, on confession in open court, or on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act of treason whereof he or they shall stand indicted, 4 TREASON DEFINED. such person or persons shall be adjudged guilty of treason against the United States, and shall suffer death. " If any person or persons, having knowledge of the commission of any of the treasons aforesaid, shall conceal, and not, as soon as may be, disclose and make known the same to the President of the United States, or some one of the judges thereof, or to the president or governor of a particular State, or some one of the judges or justices thereof, such person or persons, on conviction, shall be adjudged guilty of misprision of treason, and shall be imprisoned not exceeding seven years, and fined not exceeding one thousand dulktrs.'' What is " levying war Y* To collect, enrol, or enlist men, take up arms, and make a forcible attack, is to levy war. An overt act, is an open, public, apparent act. What, then, is levying war against the United States? An overt act of war against any one of the United States, territories, districts or fortresses, is an act of war against the United States. As much so as an attack upon each and every one of them. Indeed it is an attack upon each and every one of them, in their highest, their dearest, their collected, their united character. How then can the crime of treason be committed against a single State, in its separate distinct capaci- ty ? Most certainly it cannot. The act will be treason against the United States, or it cannot be treason at all. The people of the United States have, in their Constitution, in the brief and forcible words quoted above, declared in what, and only in what, the crime of treason shall consist. They have therein de- clared upon what evidence, and cm/y'upon what evi- TREASON DEFINED. ft dence, conviction shall be had. and have authorized Congress, under a strict limitation, to declare the pun- ishment of treason. Congress has decreed the punishment of death against ail persons who commit the crime, of treason. How then can a single State fritter down a crime committed against the United States to an offence against itself alone, and commute the punishment of death for that of imprisonment for life ; grant a re- prieve, or a full pardon 1 Under the Constitution of the United States, this cannot be done, nor can it take place without a gross violation of that sacred fiat of the American people. The courts of a State in which a person might be accused of committing treason, would not be likely to afford the accused an impartial trial. Hence the law of Congress quoted above, has made it the duty of all " persons having knowledge of the commission of any of the treasons aforesaid," as soon as may be, to u dis- close and make known the same to the President of the United States," or to some other officer sworn to support the Constitution thereof. And why? Mani- festly because the Courts of the United States are the only proper or lawful tribunals in which the acoused could be tried. Persons having such knowledge, and concealing it, or not disclosing it to the proper officers, are, by the law of Congress aforesaid, declared to be guilty of misprision of treason, and liable to imprison- ment and fine. Suppose an overt act of war, by persons owing alle- giance to the United States, should be committed in the State, or in the City and County of New York, and the persons having knowledge thereof should con- ceal it ; or, instead of promptly giving notice to the ex- TREASON DEFINED. eculive or judicial magistrates as provided by the law of Congress, should prefer a complaint to the Grand Jury of the City and County of New York ; would not such persons he guilty of misprision of treason ? The Grand Jury are not the magistrates referred to in the Act of Congress. It may be that not one of them is a magistrate or justice at all. It might be that some of the traitors would be in the panel, and that they would resort to this course to mitigate their punish- ment in case of conviction, or, what is more probable, to suppress all inquiry into their crimes. The Constitution of the United States, Art. 5 of the amendments, declares — " Nor shall any person be sub- ject for the same offence, to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb;" "nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law." If the same overt act be both treason against a single State, and treason against the United States, a person having committed that act, might " be subject, for the same offence, to be twice put in jeopardy of life" or liberty. The Revised Statutes of New York impose the pen- alty of death upon " every person who shall be con- victed of treason against the people of this State." Some persons in Rhode Island send a man to prison for life, for having, as they say, committed treason against that State. A man convicted in cither of those States, and sentenced for treason against the State, might be pardoned by the Governor thereof, and immediately thereafter, for the same act, might be indicted, tried, convicted, sentenced to death, and executed, by the authority of the United States. Nei- ther the indictment, trial, conviction, sentence, nor pardon, of the authorities of New York, for treason by TREASON DEFINED. t an overt act of war against the Slate of New York, could be received in the Courts of the United States as a plea in bar of an indictment for treason against the United States, found against a person for the commis- sion of the same act of offence. It would no more be a valid plea, than would an act of the mobs of Ken- sington or Southwark. Nor can such an unwarrant- able assumption of power by a State, have the slight- est claim to be considered as " due process of law." It would be difficult to conceive of a more atrocious per- version of that constitutional shield of individual pro- perty, liberty, and life, than to raise the act of a mob, or the unlawful assumption of power by a State, to the dignity of " due process of law." An extract from Story's Commentaries upon the Constitution, being the last paragraph of the author's remarks upon the power of Congress to punish treason, is deemed to be an apposite conclusion of this subject. The extract sufficiently indicates, that it is not within the scope of the mind of the learned jurist and com- mentator, to conceive the possibility of the existence of a case of treason, committed against a State, under the Constitution, which is not at the same time, trea- son against the United States. " The power of punishing the crime of treason " against the United States is exclusive in Congress ; " and the trial of the offence belongs exclusively to the " tribunals appointed by them. A State cannot take " cognizance, or punish the offence ; whatever it may " do in relation to the offence of treason, committed " exclusively against itself, if indeed any case can, " under the Constitution, exist, which is not, at the " same time, treason against the United States." 3d Story's Com. on Const. "§ 1296, p. 173. DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to as. sume among the powers of the earth the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of na- ture's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opin- ions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident — that all men are created equal ; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights ; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happi- ness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted anion £ men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed ; that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute a new government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence indeed will dic- tate, that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes, and accordingly, all experience hath shown, that mankind are more dis- posed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. U evinces a design to reduce them under absolute des- potism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. Such has been the patient sufferance of these colonies ; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former systems of gov- ernment. The history of the present king of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object, the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these states. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world. He has refused his assent to laws the most whole- some and necessary for the public good. He has forbidden his governors to pass laws of im- mediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his assent should be obtained ; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them. He has refused to pass other laws for the accommo- dation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of representation in the legislature ; a right inestimable to them, and formida- ble to tyrants only. He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the deposi- tory of their public records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into a compliance with his measures. He has dissolved representative houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasion on the rights of the people. He has refused for a long time, after such dissolu- tions, to cause others to be elected ; whereby the legis- lative powers, incapable of annihilation, have returned to the people at large, for their exercise : the state 10 DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within. He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these states ; for that purpose obstructing the laws for naturalization of foreigners ; refusing to pass others to encourage their migration hither, and raising the con- ditions of new appropriations of lands. He has obstructed the administration of justice, by refusing his assent to laws for establishing judiciary powers. He has made judges dependent on his will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and pay- ment of their salaries. He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither swarms of new officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance. He has kept among us, in times of peace, standing armies, without the consent of our legislatures. He has affected to render the military independent of, and superior to, the civil power. He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknow- ledged by our laws, giving his assent to their acts of pretended legislation. For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us. For protecting them, by a mock trial, from punish- ment for any murders which they should commit on the inhabitants of these states. For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world. For imposing taxes on us without our consent. For depriving us, in many cases, of the benefits of trial by jury. For transporting us beyond seas to be tried for pre- tended offences. DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. 11 For abolishing the free system of English laws in a neighbouring province, establishing therein an arbitrary government, and enlarging its boundaries, so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these colonies. For taking away our charters, abolishing our most valuable laws, and altering fundamentally the forms of our governments. For suspending our own legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever. He has abdicated government here, by declaring us out of his protection, and waging war against us. He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people. He is at this time transporting large armies of for- eign mercenaries to complete the works of death, deso- lation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of cruelty and perfidy scarce paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the head of a civilized nation ! He has constrained our fellow-citizens, taken cap- tive on the high seas, to bear arms against their coun- try, become the executioners of their friends and breth- ren, or to fall themselves by their hands. He has excited domestic insurrections among us, and has endeavoured to bring en the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian savages, whose known rule of warfare is an undistinguished destruc- tion of all ages, sexes, and conditions. In every stage of these oppressions we have peti- tioned for redress in the most humble terms ; our repeat- ed petitions have been answered only by repeated inju- ries. A prince whose character is thus marked by every 12 DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people. Nor have we been wanting in attention to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the cir- cumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would in- evitably interrupt our connection and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and con. sanguinity. We must therefore acquiesce in the neces- sity which denounces our separation, and hold them as we hold the rest of mankind, enemies in war, in peace, friends. We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in general congress assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by the authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united col- onies are, and of right ought to be FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES; that they are ab- solved from all allegiance to the British crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain, is, and ought to be, totally dis- solved ; and that as free and independent states, they hive full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do. And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honour. CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES, We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, pro- vide 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 CONGRESS. Section 1. — Legislative Powers. 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 II.— House of Representatives. 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 appor- tioned among the several states which may be included 14 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES — SENATE. within this Union, according to their respective num- bers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole number of free persons, including those bound to ser- vice 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 repre- sentative ; and until such enumeration shall be made, the State of New Hampshire shall be entitled to choose three, Massachusetts eight, Rhode Island and Provi- dence 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 executive authority thereof shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies. 5. The House of Representatives shall choose their Speaker and other officers; and shall have the sole power of impeachment. Section III. — Senate. 1. The Senate of the United States shall be com- posed of two Senators from each State, chosen by the Legislature thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. 2. Immediately after they shall be assembled in con- sequence ol the first election, they shall be divided as equally as may he into three classes. The seats of the Senators of the tirst class shall be vacated at the ex- SENATE. 15 piration 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 ; 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. 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. 4. The Vice-Fresident of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no vote unless they be equally divided. 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. 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. 7. Judgment in cases of impeachment shall not ex- tend further than to removal from office, and disquali- fication to hold and enjoy any office of honour, trust or profit under the United States : but the party con- victed shall nevertheless be liable and subject to in dictment, trial, judgment, and punishment, according to law. 16 ELECTIONS POWERS OF EACH IlOl'SE. Section IV.— Election of Members. 1. The times, places, and manner of holding elec- tions for Senators and Representatives, shall be pre. scribed 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. 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.— Powers of each House. 1. Each House shall be the judge of the elections, returns and qualifications of its own members, and a majority of each shall constitute a quorum to do busi- ness ; 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. 2. Each House may determine the rules of its pro- ceedings, punish its members for disorderly behaviour, and, with the concurrence of two-thirds, expel a mem- ber. 3. Each House shall keep a journal of its proceed- ings, and from time to time publish the same, except- ing 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. 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 plaee than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting. wMi'ENSATION PRIVILEGES, ETC. BILLS. 11 Section VI. — Compensation — Privileges^ S,-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 or returning from the same : and for any speech or debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other place. 2. No Senator or Representative shall, during the time for which lie 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 ofRce under the United States shall be a member of either House during his continuance in office. Section VII. — Bills and Resolutions, kc. 1. All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives ; but the Senate may pro- pose, or concur with amendments, as on other bills. 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 ap- 18 POWERS OF CONGRESS. proved 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. 3. Every order, resolution, or vote to which the con- currence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of adjourn- ment) shall he 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. — Powers of Congress. 1. The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defence and general wel- fare of the United States ; but all duties, imposts, and excises shall be uniform throughout the United States : 2. To borrow money on the credit of the United States : 3. To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian tribes: 4. To establish a uniform rule of naturalization, and uniform laws on the subject of bankruptcies through- out the United States ; rOTVERS OF CONGRESS. 19 5. To coin money, regulate the value thereof, and of foreign coin, and fix the standard of weights and measures : 6. To provide for the punishment of counterfeiting the securities and current coin of the United States: 7. To establish post offices and post roads: 8. To promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for limited times to authors and in- ventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries : 9. To constitute tribunals inferior to the supreme court : 10. To define and punish piracies and felonies com- mitted on the high seas, and offences against the law of nations : 11. To declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules concerning captures on land and water: 12. To raise and support armies, but no appropria- tion of money to that use shall be for a longer term than two years : 13. To provide and maintain a navy : 14. To make rules for the government and regula- tion of the land and naval forces : 15. To provide for calling forth the militia to exe- cute the laws of the Union, suppress insurrections and repel invasions : 16. To provide for organizing, arming and disciplin- ing 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 ap- pointment of the officers, and the authority of training the militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress : 20 PROHIBITIONS AND PRIVILEGES. 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 scat 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. 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. — Prohibitions and Privileges. 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. 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. 3. No bill of attainder or ex post facto law shall be 4. No capitation, or other direct tax shall be laid, unless in proportion to the census or enumeration herein before directed to be taken. 5. No tax or duty shall be laid on articles exported from anj' Mate. 6. No preference shall be given by any regulation of commerce or revenue to the ports of one State over STATE RESTRICTIONS, ETC. 21 those of another : nor shall vessels bound to, or from, one State, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay duties in another. 7. 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. 8. 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 the Congress, accept of any present, emolument, office, or title of any kind whatever, from any king, prince, or foreign state. Section X. — State restrictions, <$-c. 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 im- pairing the obligation of contracts, or grant any title of nobility. 2. No State shall, without the consent of the Con- gress, lay any imposts or duties on imports or exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing its inspection laws ; and the nett 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 re- vision and control of the Congress. 3. 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 22 ELECTION OF PRF.SlDhVI. 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.— P RESIDENT. Section 1. — Election for president. 1. The Executive power shall be vested in a Presi- dent 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 : 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 Representa- tives to which the state may be entitled ia the Con- gress : but no Senator or Representative, or person holding any office of trust or profit under the United States, shall be appointed an elector. 3. The electors shall meet in their respective states and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves ; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the. person voted for as Vice-President, and they shall make distinct, lists of all persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice-Presi- dent, and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit scaled to the scat of the government of the United States, directed to the president of the senate; the president of the senate shall, in the presence of the senate and house of representatives, open all the certificates, and the votes shall then be counted: The person having the greatest number of votes for President, shall be the ELECTION OF PRESIDENT. 23 President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed ; and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having the high- est numbers, not exceeding three, on the list of those voted for as President, the house of representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by states, the representation from each state having one vote ; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice. And if the house of representatives shall not choose a President, whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March next following, then the Vice-Psesident shall act as President, as in case of the death or other constitutional disability of the President. 4. The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice-President, shall be the Vice-President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed, and if no person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers on the list, the senate shall choose the Vice-President : a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of senators : a majority of the whole number shall be neces- sary to a choice. 5. But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice- President of the United States. 6. The Congress may determine the time of choos- ing the electors, and the day on which they shall give their votes ; which day shall be the same throughout the United States. 7. No person except a natural born citizen, or a citi- 24 POWERS OF THE PRESIDENT. zen 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. 8. 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 de- volve 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. 9. 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. 10. Before he enters on the execution of his office, he shall take the following oath or affirmation : — " I do solemnly swear, (or affirm) that I will faith- fully 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. — Powers of the President. 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 ac- tual service of the United States ; he may require the opinion, in writing, of the principal officer in each of DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT. 25 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 impeach- ment. 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 ap- pointments 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 offi- cers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the courts of law, or in the heads of departments. 3. The President shall have power to fill up all va- cancies that may happen during the recess of the Senate, by granting commissions which shall expire at the end of their next session. Section III. — Duties of the President. 1. 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 re- spect 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. 26 IMPEACHMENT JUDICIARY. Section IV. — Impeachment of Officers. 1. The President, Vice-President, and all civil offi. cers of the United States, shall be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, treason, bri bery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors. Article III.— J UDICIARY. Section I. — Courts — Judges. 1. The judicial power of the United States shall be vested in one Supreme Court, and in such inferioi courts as the Congress may from time to time ordair and establish. The judges, both of the supreme and inferior courts, shall hold their offices during good be- haviour, and shall, at stated times, receive for their services, a compensation which shall not be diminished during their continuance in office. Section II.— Judicial Powers— Civil— Criminal. 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 af- fecting ambassadors, other public ministers and con- suls ; to all cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdic- tion ; to controversies to which the United States shal< 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 dif- ferent states— and between a state, or the citizens thereof, and foreign states, citizens or subjects. 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 juris- TREASON STATE RIGHTS. 87 diction. 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. 3. The trial of all crimes, except in cases of im- peachment, shall be by jury ; and such trial shall be held in the state where the said crimes shall have been committed; 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. — Treason. 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 per. son shall be convicted of treason unless on the testi- mony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open court. 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. -STATE RIGHTS. Section I. — Restitution and Privileges. 1. 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. — Privilege of Citizens. 1. The citizens of each state shall be entitled to all privileges aod immunities of citizens in the several states. SJD NEW STATES HOW ADMITTED. 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 ex- ecutive authority of the state from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the state having juris- diction of the crime. 3. No person held to service or labour in one state under the laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in consequence of any law or regulation therein, be dis- charged from such service or labor, but shall be de- livered up on claim of the part}' to whom such service or labor may be due. Section III.— JVew States. 1. New states may be admitted by the Congress in- to 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. 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 tStates : 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. — State governments, Republican. The United States shall guaranty to every state in this Union a republican form of government, and shall protect each of them against invasion ; arid on appli- cation of the Legislature, or of the executive, (when the Legislature cannot be convened,) against domestic violence. • AMENDMENTS. 29 Article V.— AMENDMENTS. The Congress, whenever two-thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose amendments to this constitution, or, on the application of the Legisla- tures 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 ; pro- vided 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 suf- frage in the Senate. Article VI.— DEBTS. 1. All debts contracted and engagements entered into, before the adoption of this constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this constitu- tion, as under the confederation. 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. 3. The Senators and Representatives before men. tioned, and the members of the several state Legisla- tures, and all executive and judicial officers, both of the United States and of the several states, shall be Ill RATIFICA.TIO.V AMENDMENTS. bound, by oath or affirmation, to support this constitu- tion ; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States. Article VII.— RATIFICATION. The ratifications of the conventions of nine states shall be sufficient for the establishment of this consti tution 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. GEO. WASHINGTON, President and Deputy from Virginia. AMENDMENTS. Article? in addition to, and amendment of, the Constitution of the United States of America, proposed l>y Congress, and ratified i.y the Legislatures of the several states, pursuant to the filth arti- cle of the oiiuinal Constitution. Art. 1. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exer- cise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press ; or the right of the people peaceably to as- semble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. 2. 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. AMENDMENTS. 31 3. 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. 4. The right of the people to be secure in their per- sons, 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 particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. 5. 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 ac- tual 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. 6. In all criminal prosecutions the accused shall en- joy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an im- partial 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 inform- ed 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 fa- vour ; and to have the assistance of counsel for his de- fence. 7. In suits at common law, where the value in con- troversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the light of trial by jury shall be preserved ; and no fact tried by a jury 6Z AMENDMENTS. shall be otherwise re-examined in any court of the United Slates, than according to the rules of the com- mon law. 8. Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments in- flicted. 9. The enumeration in the constitution of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. 10. The powers not delegated to the United States by the constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people. 11. The judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by citizens of another state, or by citizens or subjects of any foreign state. WINDT'S PIUNTKRY, From. Shelbtyille, Tennessee. The people have risen in their strength to put down the vile serpent of /Secession, which would wind its slimy form around our people and crush out every patriotic feeling in their bosoms. Tennessee has 6hown that she will not bo led astray by the de- lusive eloquence of political demagogues and intriguing office- seekers. In our State " freedom of speech" is beginning to be respected. A man can express hi3 opinion of Slavery pro or con with no fear of being molested by fanatical fire-eaters. From indications shown during the last three weeks, 1 think that I can safely say that in the nest four years a Republican ticket in this State will make an excellent run. I know that this couuty will give- a majority in favor of a Republican. A man need only show his hand, and stick up to it, and he will succeed. Let a man run in this State with the principle inscribed uu his banner that "All men are created free and equal,'" and he will get a majority in four years from now. I have heard many substantial men say, during the last month, that they would "willingly, cheerfully, give up every negro (they had them), if it would save the Union." There are many men in this State who are patiently waiting for the right opportunity to declare their abhorrence and detestation of the horrible " moral and social evil" which now exists in the South. There is a report extant here saying that a bill is about to be, or was, introduced by a member of Congress to purchase the slaves in Tennessee, and make her a Free State. It is useless to ex- peud money in that way, for the time is not far distant when Tennessee will open her eyes, and see the great sin of Slavery. I pray God that that time will soon come. Stand to your prin- ciples, and trust in God. If coercion is attempted (and it ought to be) , there are thou- sands in Tennessee who will light for this glorious Union. There is a Union flag floating above our town. It is saluted each night by a Union company. Three-fourths of the people of this county will vote for the total abolition of Slavery rather than have this Union dissolved. 5* « jP, i v . t • « J" # 4 V w ** v %. ^0 so9 • a>^#. - f ^ ° L . , : *°^ "