Bill of Rights: First House of Representatives Draft, Rare July 31, 1789 Newspaper Printing

The Pennsylvania Packet, and Daily Advertiser, July 31, 1789 (No. 3276). Philadelphia: John Dunlap and David C. Claypoole. 4 pp., 11 x 18 1/4 in. On June 8, 1789, Congressman James Madison introduced his summary of proposed amendments to the Constitution. On July 21, John Vining of Delaware was appointed to chair a Committee of 11, with one member representing each state, as Rhode Island and North Carolina had yet to ratify the Constitution, to consider the subject. This is the Report of Mr. Vining and the Committee "to whom it was referred to take the subject of Amendments to the Constitution of the United States, generally into their consideration.," in essence the first Congressional draft of the Bill of Rights. The twenty words this report proposed to be added before the introductory phrase "We the people," were not accepted by Congress. Revisions were made by both the House and the Senate, but within two months, this draft was edited down to twelve proposed amendments that Congress submitted to the states for ratification. Complete TranscriptMr. Vining, from the committee of eleven, to whom it was referred to take the subject of Amendments to the Constitution of the United States, generally into their consideration, and to report thereupon, made a report, which was read, and is as followeth:In the introductory paragraph before the words, "We the people," add, "Government being intended for the benefit of the people, and the rightful establishment thereof being derived from their authority alone."Art. 1, sec. 2, par. 3 - Strike out all between the words "direct" and "until such," and instead thereof insert, "After the first enumeration there shall be one representative for every thirty thousand until the number shall amount to one hundred; after which the proportion shall be so regulated by Congress that the number of representatives shall never be less than one hundred, nor more than one hundred and seventy-five, but each State shall always have at least one representative."Art. 1, sec. 6 - Between the words "United States," and "shall in all cases," strike out "they," and insert, "But no law varying the compensation shall take effect until an election of Representatives shall have intervened. The members."Art. 1, sec. 9 - Between par. 2 and 3 insert, "No religion shall be established by law, nor shall the equal rights of conscience be infringed.""The freedom of speech, and of the press, and the right of the people peaceably to assemble and consult for their common good, and to apply to the government for redress of grievances, shall not be infringed.""A well regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, being the best security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed, but no person religiously scrupulous shall be compelled to bear arms.""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.""No person shall be subject, except in case of impeachment, to more than one trial or one punishment for the same offence, nor shall be compelled 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.""Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.""The right of the people to be secure in their person, houses, papers and effects, shall not be violated by warrants issuing, without probable cause supported by oath or affirmation, and not particularly describing the places to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.""The enumeration in this Constitution of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people."Art. 1, sec. 10-between the 1st and 2d par. insert, "No State shall infringe the equal rights of cons. (See website for full description).…