an equivalent thereto; but no part of a man's property can be justly taken from him or applied to public uses without his own consent or that of his legal representatives, nor can any man who is conscientiously scrupulous of bearing arms be justly compelled thereto if he will pay such equivalent, nor are the people bound by any laws but such as they have in like manner assented to, for their common good.

IX. That in all prosecutions for criminal offences, a man hath a right to be heard by himself and his counsel; to demand the cause and nature of his accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses; to call for evidence in his favor and a speedy public trial by an impartial jury of the country, without the unanimous consent of which jury he cannot be found guilty, nor can he be compelled to give evidence against himself, nor can any man be justly deprived of his liberty except by the laws of the land or the judgement of his peers.

X. That the people have a right to hold themselves, their houses, papers and possessions free from search and seizure, and therefore warrants, without oaths or affirmations first made affording a sufficient foundation for them, and whereby any officer or messenger may be commanded or required to search suspected places, or to seize any person or persons, his or their property not particularly described, are contrary to that right, and ought not to be granted.

XI. That in controversies respecting property, and in suits between man and man, the parties have a right to trial by jury, which ought to be held sacred.

XII. That the people have a right to freedom of speech and of writing and publishing their sentiments; therefore the freedom of the press ought not to be restrained.

XIII. That the people have a right to bear arms for the defence of themselves, and the State; and as standing armies in the time of peace, are dangerous to liberty they ought not to be kept up; and that the military should be kept under strict subordination to, and government by the civil power.

XIV. That a frequent recurrence to fundamental principles and a firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, industry and frugality, are absolutely necessary to preserve the blessings of liberty, and keep a government free. The people ought therefore to pay particular attention to these points in the choice of officers and representatives, and have a right to exact a due and constant regard to them from their legislatures and magistrates, in the making and executing such laws as are necessary for the good government of the State.

XV. That all men have a natural inherent right to emigrate from one State to another that will receive them, or to form a new State in vacant countries or in such countries as they can purchase, whenever they think that thereby they may promote their own happiness.

XVI. That the people have a right to assemble themselves together to consult for their common good, to instruct their representatives, and to apply to the Legislature for redress of grievances by address, petition and remonstrance.

CHAPTER II.

Plan or Frame of Government of the Commnnwealth or State of Pennsylvania.

SEC. 1. The Commonwealth or State of Pennsylvania shall be governed hereafter by an assembly of the representatives of the freemen of the same, and a president and council, in manner and form following:

SECT. 2. The supreme legislative power shall be vested in a House of Representatives of the Commonwealth or State of Pennsylvania.

SEC. 3. The Supreme executive power shall be vested in a President and Council.

SECT. 4. Courts of justice shall be established in the city of Philadelphia, and in every county of this State.

SECT. 5. The freemen of this Commonwealth, and their sons, shall be trained and armed for its defence, under such regulations, restrictions and exceptions as the General Assembly shall by law direct; preserving always to the people the right of choosing their colonels and all commissioned officers under that rank, in such manner and as often as by the said laws shall be directed.

SECT. 6. Every freeman of the full age of twenty-one years, having resided in this State for the space of one whole year next before the day of election for Representatives, and paid public taxes during that time, shall enjoy the right of an elec tor: Provided always, That sons of freeholders of the age of twenty-one years shall be entitled to vote although they have not paid taxes.

SECT. 7. The House of Representatives of the freemen of this Commonwealth shall consist of per

sons most noted for wisdom and virtue, to be chosen by the freemen of every city and county of this Commonwealth respectively, and no person shall be elected unless he has resided in the city or county for which he shall be chosen two years immediately, before the said election, nor shall any member, while he continues such, hold any other office except in militia.

SECT. 8. No person shall be capable of being elected a member to serve in the House of Representatives of the freemen of this Commonwealth more than four years in seven.

SECT. 9. The members of the House of Representatives shall be chosen annually by ballot, by the freemen of the Commonwealth, on the second Tuesday in October forever, (except this present year,) and shall meet on the fourth Monday of the same month, and shall be styled The General Assembly of the Representatives of the freemen of Pennsylvania, and shall have power to choose their Speaker, the Treasurer of the State and their other officers; sit on their own adjournments; prepare bills and enact them into laws; judge of the elections and qualifications of their own members; they may expel a member, but not a second time for the same cause; they may administer oaths, or affirmations nor examination of witnesses; redress grievances; impeach State criminals; grant charters of incorporation; constitute towns, boroughs, cities and counties; and shall have all other powers necessary for the Legislature of a free State or commonwealth; but they shall have no power to add to, alter, abolish or infringe any part of this Constitution.

SECT. 10. A quorum of the House of Representatives shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of members elected, and having met and chosen their Speaker, shall each of them, before they proceed to business, take and subscribe as well the oath or affirmation of fidelity and allegiance hereinafter directed, as the following oath or affirmation, viz: I do swear (or aflirm) that as a member of this assembly, I will not propose or assent to any bill, vote or resolution, which shall appear to me injurious to the people, nor do or consent to any act or thing whatever, that shall have a tendency to lesson or abridge their rights and privileges as declared in the Constitution of this State, but will in all things conduct myself as a faithful, honest representative and guardian of the people, according to the best of my knowledge and abilities.

And each member, before he takes his seat, shall make and subscribe the following declaration, viz:

I do believe in one God, the Creator and Governcr of the Universe, the rewarder of the good and purisher of the wicked, and I do acknowledge the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be given by Divine Inspiration.

And no further or other religious test shall ever hereafter be required of any civil officer or magistrate in this State.

SECT. 11. Delegates to represent this State in Congress shall be chosen by ballot by the future General Assembly at their first meeting, and annually forever afterwards as long as such representation shall be necessary. Any delegate may be superseded at any time, by the General Assembly appointing another in his stead. No man shall sit