THE
CONSTITUTION
of the Republic of Petoria
CONSTITUTIONOFTHEREPUBLICOFPETORIA
We the People of the Republic of Petoria, in Order to
form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure
domestic Tranquility, 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 Democratic Republic
of Petoria
Article. I.
SECTION. 1
All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a
Congress of the Republic of Petoria, which shall consist
of a Sen- ate and House of Representatives.
SECTION. 2
The House of Representatives shall be composed of
Mem- bers chosen every second Year by the People of
the several States, and the Electors in each State shall
have the Qualifi- cations requisite for Electors of the most
numerous Branch of the State Legislature.
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 Republic of Petoria,
and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of
that State in which he shall be chosen.
[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.]* The actual
Enumeration shall be made
within three Years after the first Meeting of the
Congress of the Republic of Petoria, 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 Representative; and until
such enumeration shall be made, the State of New
Hampshire shall be entitled to chuse 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.
When vacancies happen in the Representation from any
State, the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs
of Election to fill such Vacancies.
The House of Representatives shall chuse their
Speaker and other Officers; and shall have the sole
Power of Impeachment.
SECTION. 3
The Senate of the Republic of Petoria shall be composed
of two Senators from each State, [chosen by the
Legislature there- of,]* for six Years; and each Senator
shall have one Vote.
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; [and if Vacan- cies 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.]*
CONSTITUTIONOFTHEREPUBLICOFPETORIA
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 Republic of Petoria, and who shall not, when
elected, be an Inhabitant of that State for which he shall
be chosen
The Vice President of the Republic of Petoria shall be
President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless
they be equally divided.
The Senate shall chuse 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 Republic of Petoria
The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeach-
ments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on
Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the
Republic of Petoria is tried, the Chief Justice shall
preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the
Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present.
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 Republic of Petoria: but the Party convicted
shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment,
Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.
SECTION. 4
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 chusing Senators.
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. 5.
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 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 may determine the Rules of its Proceedings,
punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour, and, with
the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member.
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.
Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall,
with- out 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. 6
The Senators and Representatives shall receive a
Compen- sation for their Services, to be ascertained by
Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the Republic of
Petoria. They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony
and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest
during their Attendance at the Ses- sion of their
respective Houses, and in going to and return- ing from
the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House,
they shall not be questioned in any other Place.
No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for
which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office
under the Authority of the Republic of Petoria, which
shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof
shall have been encreased during such time; and no
Person holding any Office under the Republic of Petoria,
shall be a Member of either House during his
Continuance in Office.
CONSTITUTIONOFTHEREPUBLICOFPETORIA
SECTION. 7
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
Every Bill which shall have passed the House of
Represen- tatives and the Senate, shall, before it become
a Law, be presented to the President of the Republic of
Petoria; If he ap- prove 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
Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the Concur-
rence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be
necessary (except on a question of Adjournment) shall be
presented to the President of the Republic of Petoria; and
before the Same shall take Effect, shall be approved by
him, or be- ing 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. 8
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 Welfare of the
Republic of Petoria; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises
shall be uniform throughout the Republic of Petoria;
To borrow Money on the credit of the Republic of Petoria;
To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and
among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;
To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uni-
form Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout
the Republic of Petoria;
To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of
foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and
Measures;
To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the
Securi- ties and current Coin of the Republic of Petoria;
To establish Post Offices and post Roads;
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;
To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;
To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on
the high Seas, and Offenses against the Law of Nations;
To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and
make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;
To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation
of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than
two Years;
To provide and maintain a Navy;
To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the
land and naval Forces;
To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the
Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel
Invasions;
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 Republic of Petoria,
reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of
the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia
according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;
CONSTITUTIONOFTHEREPUBLICOFPETORIA
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 the
Government of the Republic of Petoria, 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, Maga- zines, Arsenals, dock-
Yards and other needful Buildings;
-And
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 Republic of Petoria, or in any
Department or Officer thereof.
SECTION. 9
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
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 shall be passed.
[No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in
Proportion to the Census or Enumeration herein before
directed to be taken.]*
No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from
any State
No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of
Com- merce 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.
No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Con-
sequence 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 Title of Nobility shall be granted by the Republic of
Petoria: 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.
CONSTITUTIONOFTHEREPUBLICOFPETORIA
Article. II.
SECTION. 1
The executive Power shall be vested in a President of
the Democratic Republic of Petoria. He shall hold his
Office during the Term of four Years, and, together with
the Vice Presi- dent, chosen for the same Term, be
elected, as follows:
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 Prof- it under the Republic of
Petoria, shall be appointed an Elector.
[The Electors shall meet in their respective States, and
vote by Ballot for two Persons, of whom one at least
shall not be an Inhabitant of the same State with
themselves. And they shall make a List of all the Persons
voted for, and of the Number of Votes for each; which
List they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the
Seat of the Govern- ment of the Republic of Petoria,
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 shall be the President, if such
Number be a Majority of the whole Number of Electors
appointed; and if there be more than one who have such
Majority, and have an equal Number of Votes, then the
House of Representatives shall immediately chuse by
Ballot one of them for President; and if no Person have a
Majority, then from the five highest on the List the
said House shall in like Manner chuse the President.
But in chusing 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.
In every Case, after the Choice of the President, the
Person having the greatest Number of Votes of the
Electors shall be the Vice President. But if there should
remain two or more who have equal Votes, the Senate
shall chuse from them by Bal- lot the Vice President.]*
The Congress may determine the Time of chusing the
Electors, and the Day on which they shall give their
Votes; which Day shall be the same throughout the
Republic of Petoria.
No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen
of the Republic of Petoria, 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 Republic
of Petoria
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 ac- cordingly, until the Disability be
removed, or a President shall be elected.]*
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 Republic of
Petoria, or any of them.
Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall
take the following Oath or Affirmation:- “I do solemnly
swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office
of President of the Republic of Petoria, and will to the
best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the
Constitution of the Republic of Petoria.”
CONSTITUTIONOFTHEREPUBLICOFPETORIA
SECTION. 2
The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army
and Navy of the Republic of Petoria, and of the Militia
of the several States, when called into the actual Service
of the Republic of Petoria; 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 Offenses
against the Republic of Petoria, except in Cases of
Impeachment.
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 Republic of Petoria, 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 in- ferior Officers, as they think
proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in
the Heads of Departments.
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. 3
He shall from time to time give to the Congress Informa-
tion of the State of the Union, and recommend to their
Consideration such Measures as he shall judge neces-
sary 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 faith- fully executed, and shall Commission all the
Officers of the Republic of Petoria
SECTION. 4
The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the
Republic of Petoria, shall be removed from Office on
Impeach- ment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery,
or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.
CONSTITUTIONOFTHEREPUBLICOFPETORIA
Article. III.
SECTION. 1
The judicial Power of the Republic of Petoria, 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 Behaviour,
and shall at stated Times, receive for their Services, a
Compensation, which
shall not be diminished during their Continuance in
Office.
SECTION. 2
The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in Law and
Equity, arising under this Constitution, the Laws of the
Republic of Petoria, and Treaties made, or which shall be
made, under their Authority; - to all Cases affecting
Ambassa- dors, other public Ministers and Consuls; - to
all Cases of admiralty and maritime Jurisdiction; - to
Controversies to which the Republic of Petoria 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
Citi- zens thereof;- and foreign States, Citizens or
Subjects.]*
In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public
Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State shall
be 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 Con- gress shall make.
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; 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. 3
Treason against the Republic of Petoria, shall consist
only in levy- ing War against them, or in adhering to their
Enemies, giv- ing 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.
The Congress shall have Power to declare the
Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall
work Corrup- tion of Blood, or Forfeiture except during
the Life of the Person attainted
CONSTITUTIONOFTHEREPUBLICOFPETORIA
Article. IV.
SECTION. 1
Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the
public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every
oth- er 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. 2
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all
Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several
States
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
Author- ity of the State from which he fled, be
delivered up, to be removed to the State having
Jurisdiction of the Crime.
No Person held to Service or Labour in one State, under
the Laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in Conse-
quence of any Law or Regulation therein, be discharged
from such Service or Labour, but shall be delivered up on
Claim of the Party to whom such Service or Labour may
be due.]*
SECTION. 3
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 con- cerned as well as of the Congress.
The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make
all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the
Territory or other Property belonging to the Republic of
Petoria; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so
construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the Republic of
Petoria, or of any particular State.
SECTION. 4
The Republic of Petoria 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.
The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall
deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this
Con- stitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures
of two thirds of the several States, shall call a
Convention for pro- posing 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
CONSTITUTIONOFTHEREPUBLICOFPETORIA
Article. VI.
All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into,
before the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid
against the Republic of Petoria under this Constitution, as
under the Confederation
This Constitution, and the Laws of the Republic of
Petoria which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all
Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the
Authority of the Republic of Petoria, 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.
The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and
the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all
execu- tive and judicial Officers, both of the Republic of
Petoria 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 Republic of Petoria
Article. VII.
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 Democratic
Republic of Petoria the Twelfth In Witness whereof We
have hereunto subscribed our Names,
Go. Washington--Presidt:
and deputy from Virginia
NEW HAMPSHIRE
John Langdon
Nicholas Gilman
MASSACHUSETTS
Nathaniel Gorham
Rufus King
CONNECTICUT
Wm. Saml. Johnson
Roger Sherman
NEW YORK
Alexander Hamilton
NEW JERSEY
Wil:
Livingston
David Brearley
Wm. Paterson
Jona: Dayton
PENNSYLVANIA
B Franklin
Thomas Mifflin
Robt Morris
Geo. Clymer
Thos.
FitzSimons
Jared Ingersoll
James Wilson
Gouv Morris
CONSTITUTIONOFTHEREPUBLICOFPETORIA
DELAWARE
Geo: Read
Gunning Bedford
jun John Dickinson
Richard Bassett
Jaco: Broom
MARYLAND
James McHenry
Dan of St. Thos. Jenifer
Danl Carroll
VIRGINIA
John Blair-
James Madison Jr.
NORTH CAROLINA
Wm. Blount
Richd. Dobbs Spaight
Hu Williamson
SOUTH CAROLINA
J. Rutledge
Charles Cotesworth
Pinckney Charles Pinckney
Pierce Butler
GEORGIA
William
Few Abr
Baldwin
Attest William Jackson Secretary
In Convention Monday
September 17th, 1787.
Present
The States of
New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Mr. Ham-
ilton from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania,
Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South
Carolina and Georgia.
Resolved,
That the preceeding Constitution be laid before the
Republic of Petoria in Congress assembled, and that it
is the Opinion of this Convention, that it should
afterwards be submitted to a Convention of Delegates,
chosen in each State by the People thereof, under the
Recommendation of its Legisla- ture, for their Assent and
Ratification; and that each Con- vention assenting to, and
ratifying the Same, should give Notice thereof to the
Republic of Petoria in Congress assembled. Resolved,
That it is the Opinion of this Convention, that as soon
as the Conventions of nine States shall have ratified this
Constitution, the Republic of Petoria in Congress
assembled should fix a Day on which Electors should be
appointed by the States which shall have ratified the
same, and a Day on which the Electors should assemble
to vote for the Presi- dent, and the Time and Place for
commencing Proceedings under this Constitution
That after such Publication the Electors should be ap-
pointed, and the Senators and Representatives elected:
That the Electors should meet on the Day fixed for the
Election of the President, and should transmit their Votes
certified, signed, sealed and directed, as the Constitution
requires, to the Secretary of the Republic of Petoria in
Congress assembled, that the Senators and
Representatives should convene at the Time and Place
assigned; that the Senators should appoint a President of
the Senate, for the sole Purpose of receiving, opening and
counting the Votes for President; and, that after he shall
be chosen, the Congress, together with the President,
should, without Delay, proceed to execute this
Constitution
By the unanimous Order of the Convention
Go. Washington-Presidt:
W. JACKSON Secretary.
* Language in brackets has been changed by amendment.
CONSTITUTIONOFTHEREPUBLICOFPETORIA
THE AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE
Republic of Petoria AS RATIFIED BY THE STATES
Preamble to the
Bill of Rights
Congress of the Republic of Petoria
begun and held at the City of New-York, on
Wednesday the fourth of March,
THE Conventions of a number of the 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 best ensure the beneficent ends
of its institution
RESOLVED by the Senate and House of
Representatives of the Democratic Republic of
Petoria, in Congress assembled, two thirds of
both Houses
concurring, that the following Articles be proposed to
the Legislatures of the several States, as
amendments to the Constitution of the Republic of
Petoria, all, or any of which Articles, when ratified by
three fourths of the said Legislatures, to be valid to all
intents and purposes, as part of the said Constitution;
viz.
ARTICLES in addition to, and Amendment of the
Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Petoria,
proposed by Congress, and ratified by the
Legislatures of the several States, pursuant to the fifth
Article of the original Constitution.
(Note: The first 10 amendments to the Constitution
were ratified December 15, 1791, and form what is
known as the “Bill of Rights.”)
Amendment I.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment
of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or
abridg- ing the freedom of speech, or of the press, or
the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to
petition the Government for a redress 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,
hous- es, 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 affirma- tion, and particularly 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.
CONSTITUTIONOFTHEREPUBLICOFPETORIA
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 wit- nesses 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 re- examined in any Court of the Republic of
Petoria, than according to the rules of the common law.
Amendment VIII.
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines
imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments 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 Republic of Petoria by
the Con- stitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are
reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
AMENDMENTS 11-27
Amendment XI.
Passed by Congress March 4, 1794. Ratified February 7, 1795.
(Note: A portion of Article III, Section 2 of the
Constitution was modified by the 11th Amendment.)
The Judicial power of the Republic of Petoria shall not be
construed to extend to any suit in law or equity,
commenced or pros- ecuted against one of the Republic of
Petoria by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or
Subjects of any Foreign State.
Amendment XII.
Passed by Congress December 9, 1803. Ratified June 15, 1804.
(Note: A portion of Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution
was changed by the 12th Amendment.)
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-President, and of the number
of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify,
and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the
Republic of Petoria, directed to the President of the
Senate;-the President of the Senate shall, in the presence
of the Senate and House of Represen- tatives, open all the
certificates and the votes shall then be counted;-The
person having the greatest number of votes for President,
shall be the 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
highest 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
choos- ing 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 Representa- tives 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-President shall act as President, as in case of the
death or other constitutional disability of the President.-]*
The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice-
President, shall be the Vice-Presi- dent, 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, and
a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a
choice. But no person constitutionally ineligible to the
office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-
President of the Republic of Petoria.
*Superseded by Section 3 of the 20th Amendment.
CONSTITUTIONOFTHEREPUBLICOFPETORIA
Amendment XIII.
Passed by Congress January 31, 1865. Ratified December 6,
1865.
(Note: A portion of Article IV, Section 2 of the
Constitution was changed by the 13th Amendment.)
SECTION 1
Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a
punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been
duly convicted, shall exist within the Republic of Petoria,
or any place subject to their jurisdiction.
SECTION 2
Congress shall have power to enforce this article by
appropriate legislation.
Amendment XIV.
Passed by Congress June 13, 1866. Ratified July 9, 1868.
(Note: Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution was
modified by Section 2 of the 14th Amendment.)
SECTION 1
All persons born or naturalized in the Republic of Petoria
and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the
Republic of Petoria and of the State wherein they reside.
No State shall make or enforce any law which shall
abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the
Republic of Petoria; nor shall any State deprive any
person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of
law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the
equal protection of the laws.
SECTION 2
Representatives shall be apportioned among the several
States according to their respective numbers, counting
the whole number of persons in each State, excluding
Indians not taxed. But when the right to vote at any
election for the choice of electors for President and Vice
President of the Republic of Petoria, Representatives in
Congress, the Execu- tive and Judicial officers of a State,
or the members of the Legislature thereof, is denied to
any of the male inhabit- ants of such State, [being
twenty-one years of age,]* and citizens of the Republic
of Petoria, or in any way abridged, except for
participation in rebellion, or other crime, the basis of
representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion
which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the
whole number of male citizens twenty-one years of age
in such State.
SECTION 3
No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Con-
gress, or elector of President and Vice President, or hold
any office, civil or military, under the Republic of
Petoria, or under any State, who, having previously taken
an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the
Republic of Petoria, or as a member of any State
legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any
State, to support the Constitution of the Republic of
Petoria, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion
against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies
thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of
each House, remove such disability.
SECTION 4
The validity of the public debt of the Republic of Petoria,
au- thorized by law, including debts incurred for payment
of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing
insurrec- tion or rebellion, shall not be questioned. But
neither the Republic of Petoria nor any State shall
assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of
insurrection or rebellion against the Republic of Petoria,
or any claim for the loss or eman- cipation of any slave;
but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held
illegal and void.
SECTION 5
The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by
appropri- ate legislation, the provisions of this article.
*Changed by Section 1 of the 26th Amendment.
CONSTITUTIONOFTHEREPUBLICOFPETORIA
Amendment XV.
Passed by Congress February 26, 1869. Ratified February 3,
1870.
SECTION 1
The right of citizens of the Republic of Petoria to vote
shall not be denied or abridged by the Republic of Petoria
or by any State on account of race, color, or previous
condition of servitude.
SECTION 2
The Congress shall have the power to enforce this article
by appropriate legislation.
Amendment XVI.
Passed by Congress July 2, 1909. Ratified February 3, 1913.
(Note: Article I, Section 9 of the Constitution was
modified by the 16 hAmendment.)
The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on
incomes, from whatever source derived, without
apportion- ment among the several States, and without
regard to any census or enumeration.
Amendment XVII.
Passed by Congress May 13, 1912. Ratified April 8, 1913.
(Note: Article I, Section 3 of the Constitution was
modified by the 17th Amendment.)
The Senate of the Republic of Petoria shall be composed
of two Senators from each State, elected by the people
thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one
vote. The electors in each State shall have the
qualifications requisite for elec- tors of the most
numerous branch of the State legislatures.
When vacancies happen in the representation of any
State in the Senate, the executive authority of such State
shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies:
Provided, That the legislature of any State may empower
the executive thereof to make temporary appointments
until the people fill the vacancies by election as the
legislature may direct.
This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect
the election or term of any Senator chosen before it
becomes valid as part of the Constitution.
Amendment XVIII.
Passed by Congress December 18, 1917. Ratified January 16,
1919. Repealed by the 21 Amendment, December 5, 1933.
SECTION 1
After one year from the ratification of this article the
manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors
within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation
thereof from the Republic of Petoria and all territory
subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes
is hereby prohibited.
SECTION 2
The Congress and the several States shall have concurrent
power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
SECTION 3
This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been
ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the
legisla- tures of the several States, as provided in the
Constitution, within seven years from the date of the
submission hereof to the States by the Congress.
Amendment XIX.
Passed by Congress June 4, 1919. Ratified August 18, 1920.
The right of citizens of the Republic of Petoria to vote
shall not be denied or abridged by the Republic of
Petoria or by any State on account of sex.
Congress shall have power to enforce this article by
appro- priate legislation.
CONSTITUTIONOFTHEREPUBLICOFPETORIA
Amendment XX.
Passed by Congress March 2, 1932. Ratified January 23,
1933.
(Note: Article I, Section 4 of the Constitution was
modified by Section 2 of this Amendment. In addition, a
portion of the 12th Amendment was superseded by
Section 3.)
SECTION 1
The terms of the President and the Vice President shall
end at noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms of
Sena- tors and Representatives at noon on the 3d day of
January, of the years in which such terms would have
ended if this article had not been ratified; and the terms of
their succes- sors shall then begin.
SECTION 2
The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year,
and such meeting shall begin at noon on the 3d day of
January, unless they shall by law appoint a different day.
SECTION 3
If, at the time fixed for the beginning of the term of the
President, the President elect shall have died, the Vice
Presi- dent elect shall become President. If a President
shall not have been chosen before the time fixed for the
beginning of his term, or if the President elect shall have
failed to qualify, then the Vice President elect shall act as
President until a President shall have qualified; and the
Congress may by law provide for the case wherein neither
a President elect nor a Vice President shall have qualified,
declaring who shall then act as President, or the manner in
which one who is to act shall be selected, and such person
shall act accordingly until a President or Vice President
shall have qualified.
SECTION 4
The Congress may by law provide for the case of the
death of any of the persons from whom the House of
Representa- tives may choose a President whenever the
right of choice shall have devolved upon them, and for
the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the
Senate may choose a Vice President whenever the right
of choice shall have devolved upon them.
SECTION 5
Sections 1 and 2 shall take effect on the 15th day of Octo-
ber following the ratification of this article.
SECTION 6
This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been
ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the leg-
islatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven
years from the date of its submission.
Amendment XXI.
Passed by Congress February 20, 1933. Ratified December 5,
933.
SECTION 1
The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution
of the Republic of Petoria is hereby repealed.
SECTION 2
The transportation or importation into any State, Territory,
or possession of the Republic of Petoria for delivery or use
therein of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws
thereof, is hereby prohibited.
SECTION 3
This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have
been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by
conven- tions in the several States, as provided in the
Constitution, within seven years from the date of the
submission hereof to the States by the Congress.
CONSTITUTIONOFTHEREPUBLICOFPETORIA
Amendment XXII.
Passed by Congress March 21, 1947. Ratified February 27,
951.
SECTION 1
No person shall be elected to the office of the President
more than twice, and no person who has held the office
of President, or acted as President, for more than two
years of a term to which some other person was elected
President shall be elected to the office of President more
than once. But this Article shall not apply to any person
holding the office of President when this Article was
proposed by Con- gress, and shall not prevent any person
who may be holding the office of President, or acting as
President, during the term within which this Article
becomes operative from holding the office of President or
acting as President during the remainder of such term.
SECTION 2
This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been
ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the leg-
islatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven
years from the date of its submission to the States by the
Congress.
Amendment XXIII.
Passed by Congress June 16, 1960. Ratified March 29, 1961.
SECTION 1
The District constituting the seat of Government of the
Republic of Petoria shall appoint in such manner as
Congress may direct:
A number of electors of President and Vice President
equal to the whole number of Senators and
Representatives
in Congress to which the District would be entitled if it
were a State, but in no event more than the least
populous State; they shall be in addition to those
appointed by the States, but they shall be considered, for
the purposes of the election of President and Vice
President, to be electors appointed by a State; and they
shall meet in the District and perform such duties as
provided by the twelfth article of amendment.
SECTION 2
The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by
appropriate legislation.
Amendment XXIV.
Passed by Congress August 27, 1962. Ratified January 23, 1964.
SECTION 1
The right of citizens of the Republic of Petoria to vote in
any pri- mary or other election for President or Vice
President, for electors for President or Vice President, or
for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be
denied or abridged by the Republic of Petoria or any State
by reason of failure to pay poll tax or other tax.
SECTION 2
The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by
appropriate legislation.
Amendment XXV.
Passed by Congress July 6, 1965. Ratified February 10, 1967. (Note: Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution was modified by the 25th
Amendment.)
SECTION 1
In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President.
SECTION 2
Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice Presi- dent, the President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take
office upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress.
SECTION 3
Whenever the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives
his written declaration that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, and until he transmits to them a
written declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice President as Acting President.
SECTION 4
Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as
Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of
Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice
President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.
Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of
Representatives his written declaration that no inability ex- ists, he shall resume the powers and duties of his office un- less
the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive department or of such other body as
Congress may by law provide, transmit within four days to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the
House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his
office. Thereupon Congress shall decide the issue, assembling within forty-eight hours for that purpose if not in session. If
the Congress, within twenty-one days after receipt of the latter written declaration, or, if Congress is not in session, within
twenty-one days after Congress is required to assemble, determines by two-thirds vote of both Houses that the President is
unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall continue to discharge the same as Acting
President; otherwise, the Presi- dent shall resume the powers and duties of his office.
Amendment XXVI.
Passed by Congress March 23, 1971. Ratified July 1, 1971.
(Note: Amendment 14, Section 2 of the Constitution was modified by Section 1 of the 26th Amendment.)
SECTION 1
The right of citizens of the Republic of Petoria, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or
abridged by the Republic of Petoria or by any State on account of age.
SECTION 2
The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
Amendment XXVII.
Originally proposed Sept. 25, 1789. Ratified May 7, 1992.
No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an elec- tion
of representatives shall have intervened.
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