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Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
BOSTON, FEBRUARY 13th, 1815.
SIR—In compliance with the request of the two branches of the Legislature of this Commonwealth, I now transmit you an attested copy of certain Resolutions adopted by that Body, proposing amendments to the Constitution of the United States.
I have the honor to be, with great consideration and respect, your obedient Servant, Caleb Strong
His Excellency the Governor of Tenne^ssee
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
RESOLVED, That the Senators and the Representatives of this Commonwealth in the Congress of the United States be requested to use their best endeavors, to cause the following articles to be proposed by the two houses of Congress to the Legislatures of the several States, as amendments to the Constitution of the United States—that is to say :
ART. I. Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several States, which may be included within this Union, according to their respective numbers of free persons, including those bound to serve for a term of years, and exluding Indians not taxed, and all other persons.
ART. II. No new State shall be admitted into the Union by Congress in virtue of the power granted by the Constitution, without the concurrence of two thirds of both houses.
ART. III. Congress shall not have power to lay any embargo on the ships or vessels of the citizens of the United States in the ports or harbors thereof, for more than sixty days.
ART. IV. Congress shall not have power without the concurrence of two thirds of both houses, to interdict the commerical intercourse between the United States and any foreign nation, or the dependencies thereof.
ART. V. Congress shall not make, or declare war, or authorise acts of hostility against any foreign nation, without the concurrence of two thirds of both houses ; except such acts of hostility be in defence of the territories of the United States, when actually invaded.
ART. VI. No person, who shall hereafter be naturalized, shall be eligible as a member of the Senate or House of Representatives of the United States, nor capable of holding any civil office under the authority of the United States.
ART. VII. The same person shall not be elected President of the United States a second time ; nor shall the President be elected from the same State two terms in succession.
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Resolved, That his Excellency the Governor, be requested to transmit to each of the Senators and Representatives of this Commonwealth in the Congress of the United States, an attested copy of these Resolutions.
Resolved, That his Excellency the Governor be requested to inform the Chief Magistrates of the several States in the Union of the doings of this Legislature respecting this subject, and to request them to communicate the same to the Legislatures of their respective States, and to solicit their co-operation in procuring the aforesaid amendments to be adopted and made a part of the Constitution.
House of Representatives, Feb. 8th, 1815. Sent up for concurrence. TIMOTHY BIGELOW, Speaker.
In Senate, Feb. 9th, 1815. Read and concurred. JOHN PHILLIPS, President.
February 10th, 1815--APPROVED, CALEB STRONG.
A true copy—ATTEST'R, Alden Bradford Secretary of the Commonwealth.
