They shall not be put twice in jeopardy
for the same offense. They shall not be compelled to give evidence
against themselves. Private property shall not be taken for public
use without compensation. Accused persons in criminal proceedings
shall be entitled to speedy and public trial. They shall be
confronted with the witnesses against them, and shall have
assistance of counsel. Suits in which the value controverted is
above twenty dollars (4l.) shall be tried before juries. Excessive
bail shall not be required, nor cruel and unusual punishments
inflicted. In all which enactments we see, I think, a close
resemblance to those which have been time honored among ourselves.
The remaining amendments apply to the mode in which the President
and Vice-President shall be elected, and of them I have already
spoken.
The Constitution is signed by Washington as President - as President
and Deputy from Virginia. It is signed by deputies from all the
other States, except Rhode Island. Among the signatures is that of
Alexander Hamilton, from New York; of Franklin, heading a crowd in
Pennsylvania, in the capital of which State the convention was held;
and that of James Madison, the future President, from Virginia.
In the beginning of this chapter I have spoken of the splendid
results attained by those who drew up the Constitution; and then, as
though in opposition to the praise thus given to their work, I have
insisted throughout the chapter both on the insufficiency of the
Constitution and on the breaches to which it has been subjected.
