seasonable Times on the Lands they hold, and on all other Lands therein not inclosed; and in like manner to fish in all boatable Waters and others not private Property.

SECTION THE FORTY-FOURTH.

A School or Schools shall be established in each County by the Legis lature, for the convenient Instruction of Youth, with such Salaries to the Masters paid by the Public as may enable them to instruct Youth at low Prices: And all useful Learning shall be duly encouraged and promoted in one or more Universities.

SECTION THE FORTY-FIFTH.

Laws for the Encouragement of Virtue, and Prevention of Vice and Immorality, shall be made and constantly kept in Force, and Provision shall be made for their due Execution: And all religious Societies or Bodies of Men heretofore united or incorporated for the Advancement of Religion and Learning, or for other pious and charitable Purposes, shall be encouraged and protected in the Enjoyment of the Privileges, Immunities and Estates which they were acccustomed to enjoy, or could of right have enjoyed under the Laws and former Constitution of this State.

SECTION THE FORTY-SIXTH.

The Declaration of Rights is hereby declared to be a Part of the Constitution of this Commonwealth, and ought never to be violated on any Pretence whatever.

SECTION THE FORTY-SEVENTH.

In order that the Freedom of this Commonwealth may be preserved inviolate for ever, there shall be chosen by Ballot by the Freemen in each City and County respectively, on the second Tuesday in October, in the Year one thousand seven hundred and eighty-three and on the second Tuesday in October in every seventh Year thereafter, two Persons in each City and County of this State, to be called the COUNCIL OF CENSORS; who shall meet together on the second Monday of Novem ber, next ensuing their Election; the Majority of whom shall be a Quorum in every Case, except as to calling a Convention, in which twothirds of the whole Number elected shall agree; and whose Duty it shall be to enquire whether the Constitution has been preserved inviolate in every Part; and whether the legislative and executive Branches of Government have performed their Duty as Guardians of the People, or as sumed to themselves, or exercised other or greater Powers than they are entitled to by the Constitution: They are also to enquire whether the public Taxes have been justly laid and collected in all Parts of this Commonwealth, in what Manner the public Monies have been disposed

of, and whether the Laws have been duly executed: For these purposes they shall have Power to send for Persons, Papers and Records; they shall have Authority to pass public Censures, to order Impeachments and to recommend to the Legislature the repealing such Laws as appear to them to have been enacted contrary to the Principles of the Constitution: These Powers they shall continue to have, for and during the space of one Year from the Day of their Election, and no longer: The said Council of Censors shall always have Power to call a Convention, to meet within two Years after their sitting, if there appear to them an absolute Necessity of amending any Article of the Constitution which may be defective, explaining such as may be thought not clearly expressed, and of adding such as are necessary for the Preservation of the Rights and Happiness of the People: But the Articles to be amended, and the Amendments proposed, and such Articles as are proposed to be added or abolished, shall be promulgated at least six Months before the Day appointed for the Election of such Convention, for the previous Consideration of the People, that they may have an Opportunity of instructing their Delegates on the Subject.

"Passed in Convention the 28th Day of September, 1776, and signed by their order.

Attest JOHN MORRIS, JUNR., Secretary.

B. FRANKLIN, President.

Philadelphia City.

Ty. Matlack,
Frederick Kuhl,

James Cannon,

George Schlosser,
Dav'd Rittenhouse.

Philadelphia County.

Robert Loller,
Joseph Blewer,
Jno. Bull,

Wm. Coats.

County of Bucks.

Jno. Wilkinson,

Sam'l Smith,

John Keller,

William Van Horne,

John Grier,

Abram. V. Middleswart,

Jos. Kirkbride,

Bedford County.

Benj'n Elliot,

Inrolled in the Rolls office for the State of Pennsylvania in Law Book No. 1, page 18, &c. Philada., 20th April, 1785.

1 Every page of the Original at Harrisburg (with which the foregoing has been compared,) is signed, "B. Franklin."

No. 9.

THE CONSTITUTION OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA.

We, the People of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, ordain and establish this Constitution for its government.

ARTICLE I.

SECTION I. The legislative power of this commonwealth shall be vested in a general Assembly, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.

SECTION II. The Representatives shall be chosen, annually, by the citizens of the city of Philadelphia, and of each county, respectively, on the second Tuesday of October.

SECTION III. No person shall be a Representative, who shall not have attained the age of twenty-one years, and have been a citizen and inhabitant of the State three years next preceding his election, and the last year thereof an inhabitant of the city or County, in which he shall be chosen; unless, he shall have been absent on the public business of the United States, or of this State. No person, residing within any City, Town or Borough, which shall be entitled to a separate representation, shall be elected a Member for any County, nor shall any person residing without the limits of any such City, Town or Borough, be elected a Member therefor.

SECTION IV. Within three years after the first meeting of the General Assembly, and within every subsequent term of seven years, an enumeration of the taxable inhabitants shall be made, in such manner as shall be directed by law. The number of Representatives shall, at the several periods of making such enumeration, be fixed by the legislature, and apportioned among the City of Philadelphia and the several counties, according to the number of taxable inhabitants in each; and shall never be less than sixty, nor greater than one hundred. Each county shall have, at least, one Representative; but no County, hereafter erected shall be entitled to a separate representation, until a sufficient number of taxable inhabitants shall be contained within it to entitle them to one Representative, agreeably to the ratio which shall then be established.

SECTION V. The Senators shall be chosen, for four years, by the citizens of Philadelphia, and of the several counties, at the same time, in the same manner, and at the same places where they shall vote for representatives.

SECTION VI. The number of Senators shall, at the several periods of making the enumeration before mentioned, be fixed by the Legislature, and apportioned among the districts, formed as hereinafter directed, according to the number of taxable inhabitants in each; and shall never be less than one fourth, nor greater than one third of the number of representatives.

SECTION VII. The Senators shall be chosen in districts, to be formed by the Legislature, each district containing such a number of taxable inhabitants as shall be entitled to elect not more than four Senators: When a district shall be composed of two or more Counties, they shall be adjoining. Neither the city of Philadelphia nor any County shall be divided in forming a district.

SECTION VIII. No person shall be a Senator, who shall not have attained the age of twenty-five years, and have been a citizen and inhab itant of the State four years next before his election, and the last year thereof an inhabitant of the district for which he shall be chosen; unless he shall have been absent on the public business of the United States or of this State.

SECTION IX. Immediately after the Senators shall be assembled in consequence of the first election subsequent to the first enumeration, they shall be divided, by lot, as equally as may be into four classes. The Seats of the Senators of the first class shall be vacated at the expiration of the first year, of the second class at the expiration of the second year, of the third class at the expiration of the third year, and of the fourth class at the expiration of the fourth year; so that one fourth may be chosen every year.

SECTION X. The General Assembly shall meet on the first Tuesday of December in every year, unless sooner convened by the Governor.

SECTION XI. Each House shall choose its Speaker and other officers; and the Senate shall also choose a Speaker PRO TEMPORE, when the Speaker shall exercise the office of Governor.

SECTION XII. Each House shall judge of the qualifications of its members. Contested elections shall be determined by a committee to be selected, formed and regulated in such manner as shall be directed by law. A majority of each House shall constitute a quorum to do business; but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorised, by law, to compell the attendance of absent members, in such manner, and under such penalties as may be provided.

SECTION XIII. Each House may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its members for disorderly behaviour, and with the concur rence of two thirds expel a member; but not a second time for the same cause; and shall have all other powers necessary for a branch of the legislature of a free State.