That is what I am reflecting on.

I am enjoying a glass of wine in the restaurant/bar area of the Ritz Carlton downtown DC. I miss having the elegance and manners of institutions such as this one where professionalism and the nuance of polite society from which I grew up.

Let’s talk about the choice I made which I have now found hard to climb out of.

I made a financial choice so that I would have funds to take care of me enough, while I heal, study, and soul search. What I have found is that while I was focusing on my own personal development and final touches of healing, life moved forward in the world through many twists and turns. I suddenly discover that going back in the professional world seems so different and there are so many different views on how to approach the changes.

I just stopped to read an aol news clip. I am where tonight the White House Correspondents’ dinner was to take place, but there was a threat which led President Trump and other top leaders to evacuate here!

You never know what to expect next in DC and in my life. I had not been keeping up with the news as there seems to be so much each day. I have been taking a more personal take with my energy, despite my interest of knowing what is going on in DC, The United States, and elsewhere in the world.

Back to my choice I referenced earlier.

I had decided to use the cash flow I had to place toward my food, maintenance, education, as well as bills I have such as a loan and credit card. What that meant was there was no cash flow for a place for me to live. I have been floating catching a nap here and there, through I was grateful to have an empty apartment to stay in a building owned by someone who was.a friend of a friend for the depths of winter beginning just after Christmas and leaving on Easter Sunday.

As I am investigating of places where I would be inspired to live, I learned that the prices have gone up 3x the amount. Here I am receiving social security and making minimal cash flow overall through my part-time work. I was looking to develop skills in commodities and futures via my FINRA Series 3 studies. The earliest I can take that exam is in August 2026!

I am ready to work at the professional level. Admittedly I have had to heal myself in that I am not affected by sensitivities of the past.

Now I am looking on what career path would be simulating, challenging, and financially rewarding.

I am internally extremely strong. Thing is I have had to learn to better balance what is needed to fully care for and support my health and physically strength. It is like I have been tripped up by the details of self care. I have been so used to solving problems others have, that I had not always mastered the rhythm of financing good gluten free meals which are balanced and fully nutritious. I realize I am not alone on that topic. This probably happens for many others.

More recently I have not had access to washer/dryers or dry cleaners. So I have had to creatively do work-arounds. I am fastidious and cleanliness has always been important to me.

Interestingly enough, I know I am not alone in the world with these challenges. Just maybe alone in the DC area.

Perhaps it is time to wrap up this article by saying, we make choices in life that make sense at the time, but then, sometimes there are challenges one has to overcome to get to the other side of the river where abundance and growth lie waiting for us. Hope and perseverance are elements so key to our survival. That is what keeps us going despite what physically appears at that moment.

Thank you for reading. Wishing you well on your journey in life!

Addendum

The Correspondent’s Dinner was at the Washington Hilton, where there were shots heard. That hotel was where President Reagan had been shot in 1981. The reception to follow the dinner is at The Ritz Carlton downtown DC which has been occurring since I have been at the Ritz this evening.

I loved him, despite at times a difficult, yet brilliant mind and intelligence. The painful part I am experiencing as I am writing, is that living that way was internally stressful for him and he was a proud man.

He loved to learn and teach what he learned. My dad had tutored me on investment technical analysis and money management. He was a product of the depression era, as he was born in 1910. Education was the means to excel in society, so he wanted his two children to be able to financially be stable and be able to care for themselves, as he may pass earlier due to being an older dad. He appreciated the Edwardian era and customs, i.e. early 1900s timeframe, and these customs and culture often incorporated in locution and dining.

As children, we can establish close connections to our parent, despite their challenges.

Looking at this now, I realize how much I appreciate my parents, and realize the more challenging aspects to their personalities no longer hold resonance. Beauty and time seem to assist in acceptance of what was with more appreciation and acceptance, without getting caught up in all the details when the actual experiences were occuring. Letting go of memories with love, really is the key to good health and release of the weights of the past. Wishing my blessed mother and father who have both passed, the best with love.

Have you had similar experiences?

In August 2005, the month of the New Orleans flooding situation, I joined my fiancé along with 5 other of his guests and their spouses. We shared a private dinner in the private quarters of the White House in Washington DC. My fiancé was honored by the President George Bush and First Lady Laura Bush with a private dinner in the previous Lincoln bedroom though the white lace curtains remained on the windows for our attendance.

The interesting treat beyond what I described, was this night was my first night out since my process of healing my detached retina in an eye. During my healing, I had little movement and no lifting of over 3-5 pounds for 2 to 3 weeks.

The dinner itself had a formal dining card describing what was available too being served for this dinner. During the dinner, the President made the dinner more personable and memorable after that evening through some us all signing the formal dinner menu card we each had placed on our serving plate.

A gentleman from the President’s secret service aided me when walking out from the White House to the gate. It was dark and I still had night blindness from my detached retina repair.

That night, I enjoyed speaking with and having dinner with the President and the First Lady, and with some of Spencer’s close friends and their spouses!

Bob was a personable, attractive man. He was bright, dedicated to doing right in the world. He was dedicated during the time I knew him to doing good in the world. He was not a political person based on my understanding and perception. His strength was knowledge and analysis. My take was he was not a political player which also has been noted in the media.

Today my heart opened with tears as my memory took me back to the man I had been engaged to. That man, Spencer, was bright, often quick witted, and physically attractive. He initially had become my strong advocate when my remaining immediate bloodline family was not supporting my thriving. Spencer and I worked and played well together for a time. Over time, things unbeknownst to me revealed themselves and we both realized at different times that our needs for the longer term were different. Sometimes relationships seem to isolate areas where we need to grow and develop within our own selves. There were unexpected misunderstandings that arose over time and yet I still respected him for the man whom I initially met. Sometimes there is an awkwardness when mistakes of turns seem to confuse the reasons for taking the path we walk down.

Spencer brought me to a feeling of support that I was not experiencing with my mother and brother, et al. My father who was a difficult, yet brilliant man who truly cared for me and provided me with his devotion, love in the way he could best express, and all all he could at his time, until he passed when he passed when I was 28 years old. After my dad’s passing, it was not until 2004-2005 where I felt validated, heard, and respected in a relationship.

Spencer’s and my health challenges shed light on the future expectations in and on the relationship. Without going into the depth more than I have, it is to say there are times in life that are turnkey - a significant change in some way.

What I learned from Spencer was that circumstances from his early life, his growing up environment, his dyslexia, and his rise to great prominence within the Episcopalian priesthood, rector of what had the been the largest Episcopalian church in the United States, Trinity Church Copley Square in Boston, Massachusetts - they all shaped his understanding of the world and people. Yet his true self was hidden or cloaked, as pushing for success and focusing on what he could do, versus the past traumas. His second wife’s death, I understand, took a toll on his health at certain points, as his wife seemed to be such a great connector with others and also knew the inner workings of the Episcopalian faith and institutions.

During my time in my relationship with Spencer, I became more cognizant to really hear people and what they are saying. Spencer was sharing or teaching me on how to be a better guide, advisor to others. While I was not and am not within a religious context, I have found I am better able to guide someone on their path. I add value better with understanding the person and their task, challenge or dilemma.

Within 24 hours, prior to the exam, I felt compelled to workout more than before. As I was working out, I realized, I was releasing what had been tied in me with regards to financial exams such as previously with CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst exam years ago.

I am sharing this story as I feel I need to let it go energetically and perhaps there are others out there who have dealt with betrayal and a semblance of lies and deception as a result of retribution. Perhaps one lesson from this experience was for me, once you see the truth of deception and potential violence, leave early, do not wait. I had to see what the next stop was in a dream I had. If I did not leave as soon as possible, despite the outer appearance, my life would have ended. I also could have been on a higher track professionally, had I protected myself from the draining impact emotionally and physically.

My interest in the financial markets began with my dad and my sharing in charting moving averages, some commodities, and the Dow Jones and NASDAQ daily volume and closing prices. I interned in high school with a large bank and with Smith Barney Brokerage.

There was another reason for my eventually working in the financial world. I felt I needed and wanted financial independence which allowed me freedom of choice. The intellectual challenge was another aspect. I had liked to put puzzles together in my early years, and later on, I was one who explored strategies and solutions in life for others and myself.

My father passed when I was 28 years old, and I felt my protection and my encouragement in the world left me. I began to feel alone in that I keep looking for someone to also have my best interests in their mind in their decisions. I found myself still being philanthropic oriented with community activities, and had much energy to keep doing and going.

Just before my father passed, I was beginning to be around social settings which were not necessarily supportive of me as a young woman. I knew I was internally strong and was not deterred by seemingly difficult situations.

There was a person I met in a CFA preparation group maybe around 2006 or so. His background had been as a CIA field person or operative. He had just entered a CIA related entrepreneurial company. His mother was living with him. He seemed to be treating her well initially and then later I was seeing she was verbally abusive towards him, especially when he was financially strained. I also started noticing that his interest was lying in getting in contact with higher people of the high profile PE company for whom I was working on projects. As time went on, it seemed he may be trying to target those who originated the firm. I wish I separated from the study partner then.

Later I noticed he may have contacted the CFA headquarters to speak of inauthentic things about me, as he would project his authority in things. I also saw him strategize where he wanted to be in his current new job. I understood several people got fired including the HR person within a short amount of time at his new current job due to him.

During Obama’s 2009 inauguration, I had let him know by text or email, that I can no longer see him. That gave some room in case he would go in a rage, as he lived in VA and I lived in DC.

In September 2009, I understood his mother had passed. In the first week or so in October, someone was looking through my english basement window and down the street each way. Based on what I saw, it appeared to be a casing. So from then on I was careful to not be out at night. Also at night it sounded like someone was opening a cover and when I looked out it looked like someone was dropping something into what could have been water pipes…though I am not sure if it was or not.

Then the next week, I was woken up to hearing and feeling a pulsing sound, like a sonic sound around 1am. I laid on my bed on my side and prayed for protection from God. When I got up at 6am to my my alarm, I realized that I had to really work hard at focusing my brain to handle my getting ready for work. When I got to work, I experienced the strength I had internally, to focus and get work done.

I do not recall the time from that incident, but I had a significant push feeling into my third eye area… perhaps the calcium around that organ broke apart. My health began to spiral and was more affected by dust on the medical record area where my desk was close to that room. My thyroid speeded-up and I began to loose 1.5 pounds a day. I was at time 110 maybe with a smaller frame. I went into the 90 pounds area and was able to stop my weight decline. I did not have much money from my job net of my rent and had no health insurance.

From that experience, my life changed for a long while. I was much more sensitive to foods, sounds, and much more aware about people and environments that I had ever been before. My energetic protection, my aura, had been greatly affected and I was greatly affected by EMFs and any technology around me. In fact, I noticed my skin became more taut, yet I felt I lost bone during the time of the spiraling of my thyroid and perhaps releasing calcium from my bones. It did affect my bone structure and changed my appearance some.

In 2012, I was asked by my mother to come down while she had surgery which was much more extensive that I was aware of until just 24 hours before she was to go into the hospital in another city in South Carolina, Charleston. She passed a year later from head and neck cancer. I was involved for the following year readying the house for sale. It sold and I moved down to Charleston.

In Charleston, South Carolina, I healed my body and my emotional life. I had to address my extremely low levels of hormone production, toxic levels of some metals. I volunteered in cultural events, fashion events, and as a child advocate in the University of South Carolina Hospital in Charleston.

Perhaps if you are a bystander and go there for 30 minutes to get a quick bite in the past, such as before the last month or so, there seemed to be an undercurrent life which existed.

Yes there were at times that there were those asking for money to buy some food at that time. It seemed it was from the population who did not work, slept in the restaurant or on the ground outside, was a user of some kind of drug, people passing through who had not gained a stationary situation where they were working and having at least some income.

Then, there were people who were in transit and would come in during the middle of the night as like an in between to train hub at Union Station or preparing to leave by plane in the early morning hours.

There were teens and college age students with their friends who would socialize there prior to Trump’s curfew and ICE restrictions.

People of all backgrounds would come through for food. A law graduate who had spine issues and would find a corner to eat, socialize, and relax. There could have been undercover agents or people there, but that was a sense and not a confirmed statement. One man was trying to talk a woman in working with him on handing part of a counterfeit business. In another instance, 2 boys and a girl were of high school age, who had just come from being drugged at a party they were invited to and sounded like were sexually taken advantage of and were pressured to participate in some sort of dark occult experience. The girl was really ill and the boys were thinking they needed to do a driveaway drop-off of this girl to her parent’s home, as they were scared of her true condition, more than feeling sick.

There were young men acting like a field person for a 3 letter agency, though it seemed they may have been on a contract project and not officially hired by an agency. His parents took crack while his mother was pregnant and later, and he had a difficult homelife. Another man decided he was ready to have a girlfriend now in his 50s, and he left home on his early teenage years due to a broken home. In his early years, he had been involved with collecting money from a version of a call girl’s income obtained from the customers she had sex work with. He is now using his artistic skills in a local newspaper.

Weeks ago I encountered a woman who seemed possessed with an entity or spirit other than her original soul. She had recognized me from McDonalds and spotted me walking on the sidewalk a block away. She came up to me in a voice that had a distinct low vibration and walked up to me and said emphatically, “I hate white people! I hate white women.” I am standing strong within myself to not let myself be affected by her or whatever was attached to her, and thought, what am I to say to that? That was her opinion but why was I her chosen target. Then 2 following nights/early mornings, she would approach me in McDs. One time went over to my things to view what I had in my 2 smaller carrying bags. I came up behind her but stayed quiet to see what she was going to do. She peered over to see I had technology and notebooks in my bags, and then walked away. Another time she came toward me and was about to start in the similar vein as the first time, and I said no, you need to walk away from me now (or words similar to that) and she left.

In the later months, I found myself talking with young men as they are grappling with what to do with their lives and what was important to them. I was asking them questions and guiding them to come up with their own answers, after I brought up of some ideas or solutions to meet the values they hold and to create a more solid foundation for themselves. They ultimately are the ones to act on and be inspired to act on an idea or ideas.

Now that I described much the later portion of a period of time where I am going through great change and having difficulty getting a steady rudder going in the water of life. In March 2025, I had run out of my available cash flow and any gift here-and-there supporting my apartment rental near the Wharf in SW of Washington DC and my many Airbnb reservations. So my plan was to work on projects to help support me going forward to produce a higher income and also to more fully use the temporary healthcare available to me to have a health review, though I had 4 ER visits which directed my managing myself and the discipline I needed to better handle myself and this unusual situation which I could not talk about. The reason for that was cultural, yes, but also it was a protection for myself. Vulnerability such as that can open a potential safety issue for myself, as some men and even women would enjoy the hunt on easy prey! While I am not cynical about humanity, there does seem to be pockets of humanity where dominance and control seem to be a problem. So I spent 9 months working on trying to birth projects - stronger body via a local health club I had been a member prior to leaving a rental situation - creating a course which I am now changing the platform which will be more automated for me - studying for a FINRA Series 3 Commodities Futures licensing exam - writing on my Substack blog - AND handling all the problems of not having a place to live and streamlining a storage space to be leaner. Sleeping or lack thereof was one of my biggest challenges. Much time later and after 2 ER visits, I found a place where I could go to sleep at least upright and in a safe, secure area. Initially I had stayed in the evenings awake and left for the gym around 4:30am to get to the gym by opening at 5:30am. That place was safe with regard to people, but there was a roach family that kept creeping up to me when sitting a bench on patio at a hospital entrance. There also was a rat who once discovered I was there despite how quiet I was, would start racing to me. I would talk to rat with a strong voice and point go over there. It would, but then felt the need to try again. So that made it hard to fully focus on what I was doing - whether writing a resume or on LinkedIn or trying to study for another type of financial exam, Certified Financial Analyst one.

Within this last week, McDs’s managers are sending out patrons now on much shorter timeframes, they disconnected the plugs where patrons would plug in their technology, and made it cooler to make it less hospitable to stay there at times. Now I am in a temporarily safe place locally, but let me reitereate temporary. So… my time now is to continue writing on my blog and perhaps it will be helpful to the readers. Also, it is critical to begin working with the public and receiving financial compensation to continue with creating a more solid foundation for myself.

The day I am writing this, I had just enjoyed an unexpected proper 3-course meal treated by a friend I had met when I had come back into DC after caring for my mother, her passing, and then, my own needed healing time in Charleston SC. I had been living sometimes comfortably yet not extravagant, to in the last 2 weeks, very frugal - which is hard to do if you are not cooking in your own home. Sometimes certain grocery stores have microwaves. Premade food can be expensive, yet having a food allergy seems to narrow the path to nutrition and sustenance - along with running out of cash flow until my government stipend i.e. SS. Numerically it is true to be of age, but I feel my life is just beginning and there is so much more I want to do before I pass from this earth.

Well that is my finally being able to talk about these last 9 months and perhaps they will shine a light for you in some way.

Today being Thanksgiving Holiday celebrated in the United States, I want to share that I am truly grateful for life. Having life allows me the possibility to create a new place in this world and to fruitfully produce which helps others around me to live a more fruitful life.

Thank you as a reader for being here on my blog and I appreciate your energy and time to read!

With warm regards,

Renée

Just this morning and another morning hours earlier, a bus driver parked his bus, was on his phone outside of the bus to communicate to his supervisors about something. Those on his bus appeared to be with many blankets and some bags, and somewhat unaware of the bus driver making a call. Days before, another bus driver asked people to leave his bus and they would need to find another bus to continue on, and the bus riders were waiting on the sidewalk for another bus to come by. In these cases, it did not appear to include verbal violence, but instead, perhaps a rerouting of people, as the bus driver may be at the end of his route for the day/night. Just like a bus that ended at Union Station in Washington DC and there were many on the bus who walked onto the sidewalk at 4am on a cool night. I had gone into Union Station and grabbed a coffee and readied myself for what I was doing next.

Several days ago there was an incident, unlike a potential incident weeks ago, on the same route on Wisconsin Ave NW. The potential one was when one bus passenger started yelling at another passenger from opposite ends of the bus and then, the one from the back got up and started approaching the other in rage and unreasonable behavior for the situation and being on the bus. I got off at that stop as I could still walk to my destination easily, as I did not want to be embroiled in what was becoming anger and what I felt as danger for me and others.

The more violent situation happened just a few days ago. A woman sitting in the front of the bus commented on the man entering the bus. She spoke with disdain and shouted that he should go back to his country. While he was making his way to sit toward the back of the bus, she continued to rant stating she was going to call ICE as soon as she got off the bus. The man left the bus from the back as he was trying to manage the situation the best he could. The woman started to become more enraged, stating she has schizophrenia and I believe she said manic depression. The only problem was the woman started loosing control and was taking the cart away from the woman sitting next to her. Then, someone close by (I did not see who) threw a large cup of some fluid onto the more unruly woman. The rest of the passengers were trying to get to the back of the bus. The woman continued to go out of control and (I believe) the man across from her, stopped her from throwing the other woman’s cart. I was shouting “back door” as the bus had come to a stop and I wanted to get off to then walk.

Typically this route during day or night has been reasonably safe, but at least in more than several instances, there seems to be more issues with people loosing their emotions and creating dangerous situations in public places. I am not fully clear as to the underlying reasons for the lack of emotional discipline in public areas.

Washington DC has been a place of strong political views and yet in the past, there was more acceptance of the differences or changes occurring. Certainly with the dramatic changes in this administration and creating often with great accomplishment in a short time frame, some of the unsettled people act out their insecurities or feeling of dominance over others. This affects bystanders who try to manage as best as they can in what was becoming unruly situations. In the cases I saw, the bus drivers acted with stability and due diligence, and with professionalism.

We in the United States have been experiencing great changes which includes a birthing of sorts - all in the name of hopeful change and a better future. It is critical that we of the United States work with the change and protection for human dignity and human rights. Some are experiencing greater challenges now, yet somehow we need to work together, versus falling out into a potential anarchy or dysfunctional state. It would be wise for us as individuals and as a nation to take heed and be more aware and handle disharmony more effectively, so that we support and protect our nation and its people, and those who have come to the United States from other countries. Those from other countries who come to the United States for citizenship, should experience the process where the immigrants learn about the United States like they would going into other countries, for better integration into the culture and values of the nation overall, and still being able to maintain their origin cultural traditions.

Oliver Ellsworth, Connecticut (Born 1745 - Passed 1807)

William Samuel Johnson, Connecticut (Born 1727 - Passed 1819)

Roger Sherman, Connecticut (Born 1721 - Passed 1793)

Richard Bassett, Delaware (Born 1745 - Passed 1815)

Gunning Bedford, Jr., Delaware (1747 - Passed 1812)

Jacob Broom, Delaware (Born 1752 - Passed 1810)

John Dickinson, Delaware (Born 1732 - Passed 1808)

George Read, Delaware (Born 1733 - Passed 1998)

Abraham Baldwin, Georgia ( Born 1754 - passed 1807)

William Few, Georgia (Born 1748 - Passed 1828)

William Houston, Georgia (Born 1755 - Passed 1813)

William Leigh Pierce, Georgia (Born 1740 - Passed 1789)

Daniel Carroll, Maryland (Born 1730 - Passed 1796)

Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, Maryland (Born 1723 - Passed 1790)

Luther Martin, Maryland (Born 1748 - Passed 1826)

James McHenry, Maryland (Born 1753 - Passed 1816)

John Francis Mercer, Maryland (Born 1759 - Passed 1821)

Elbridge Gerry, Massachusetts (Born 1744 - Passed 1814)

Nathaniel Gotham, Massachusetts (Born 1738 - Passed 1796)

Rufus King, Massachusetts (Born 1755 - Passed 1827)

Caleb Strong, Massachusetts (Born 1745 - Passed 1819)

Nicholas Gilman, New Hampshire (Born 1755 - Passed 1814)

John Langdon, New Hampshire (Born 1741 - Passed 1819)

David Brearily, New Jersey (Born 1745 - Passed 1790)

Jonathan Dayton, New Jersey (Born 1760 - Passed 1824)

William C. Houston, New Jersey (Born approx. 1746 - Passed 1790)

William Paterson, New Jersey (Born 1745 - Passed 1806)

Alexander Hamilton, New York (Born 1757 - Passed 1804)

John Lansing, Jr., New York (Born 1754 - disappeared in 1829)

Robert Yates, New York ( Born 1738 - Passed 1801)

William Blount, North Carolina (Born 1749 - Passed 1800)

William Richardson Davie, North Carolina (Born 1756 - Passed 1820)

Alexander Martin, North Carolina (Born 1740 - Passed 1807)

Richard Dobbs Spaight, Sr., North Carolina (Born 1758 - Passed 1802)

Hugh Williamson, North Carolina (Born 1735 - Passed 1819)

George Clymer, Pennsylvania (Born 1739 - Passed 1813)

Thomas Fitzsimons, Pennsylvania (Born 1741 - Passed 1811)

Benjamin Franklin, Pennsylvania (Born 1706 - Passed 1790)

Jared Ingersoll, Pennsylvania (Born 1749 - Passed 1822)

Thomas Mifflin, Pennsylvania (Born 1744 - Passed 1800)

Gouverneur Morris, Pennsylvania (Born 1752 - Passed 1816)

Robert Morris, Pennsylvania (Born 1734 - Passed 1806)

James Wilson, Pennsylvania (Born in 1741 or 1742 - Passed 1798)

Pierce Butler, South Carolina (Born 1744 - Passed 1822)

Charles Pinckney, South Carolina (Born 1757 - Passed 1824)

Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, South Carolina (Born 1746 - Passed 1825)

John Rutledge, South Carolina (Born 1739 - Passed 1800)

John Blair, Virginia (Born 1732 - Passed 1792)

James Madison, Virginia (Born 1751 - Passed 1836)

George Mason, Virginia (Born 1725 - Passed 1792)

James McClurg, Virginia (Born 1746 - Passed 1823)

Edmund Randolph, Virginia (Born 1753 - Passed 1813)

George Washington, Virginia (Born 1732 - Passed 1799)

George Wythe, Virginia (Born 1726 - Passed 1806)

“AMENDMENT XI”

“Passed by Congress March 4, 1794. Ratified February 7, 1795.”

“Note: Article III, section 2, of the Constitution was modified by amendment 11.”

“The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State.” (Page 37)

“AMENDMENT XII”

“Note: A portion of Article II, section 1 of the Constitution was superseded 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 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 United States, 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 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 choosing 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 Representatives 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 of other constitutional disability of the President. -]* The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice President, shall be the Vice-President, 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 United States.”

“*Superseded by section 3 of the 20th amendment.” (Pages 37-38)

“AMENDMENT XIII”

“Passed by Congress January 31, 1865. Ratified December 6, 1865.”

“Note: A portion of Article IV, section 2, of the Constitution was superseded by the 13th amendment.” (Page 38)

“Section 1.”

“Neither slavery not involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.” (Page 38)

“Section 2.”

“Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.” (Page 38)

“AMENDMENT XIV”

“Passed by Congress Jun 13, 1866. Ratified July 9, 1868.”

“Note: Article I, section 2 of the Constitution was modified by section 2 of the 14th amendment.” (Page 38)

“Section 1.”

“All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States 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 United States; nor shall any State deprive any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.” (Pages 38-39)

“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 officers if a State, or the members of the Legislature thereof, is denied to any of the make inhabitants of such State, being twenty-one years of age,* and citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged, except for participation in rebellion, or other crimes, 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.” (Page 39)

“Section 3.”

“No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office , civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State Legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, 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.” (Page 39)

“Section 4.”

“The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void.” (Page 39)

“Section 5.”

“The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.”

“*Changed by section 1 of the 26th amendment.” (Page 40)

“AMENDMENT XV”

“Passed by Congress February 26, 1869. Ratified February 3, 1870.” (Page 40)

“Section 1.”

“The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” (Page 40)

“Section 2.”

“The Congress shall have the power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.” (Page 40)

“AMENDMENT XVI”

“Passed by Congress July 2, 1909. Ratified February 3, 1913.”

“Note: Article I, section 9, of the Constitution was modified by amendment 16.”

'“The Congress shall have the power to lay and collect taxes on income, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration.” (Page 40)

“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 United States 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 electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislatures.” (Page 40)

“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 th legislature may direct.”(Pages 40-41)

“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.” (Page 41)

“AMENDENT XVIII”

“Passed by Congress December 18, 1917. Ratified January 16, 1919. Repealed by Amendment 21.” (Page 41)

“Section 1.”

After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, of the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited.” (page 41)

“Section 2.”

“The Congress and the several States shall have concurrent power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.” (Page 41)

“Section 3.”

“This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the state of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress.” (Page 41)

“AMENDMENT XIX”

“Passed by Congress June 4, 1919. Ratified August 18, 1920.”

“The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.”

“Congress shall have the power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.” (Page 410

“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 Senators and Representatives at noon on the 3rd 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 successors shall then begin.”

“Section 2.”

“The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall begin at noon on the 3rd 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 President 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 elect 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.” (Page 42)

“Section 4.”

“The Congress may by law provide for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the House of Representatives 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.” (Page 42)

“Section 5.”

Sections 1 and 2 shall take effect on the 15th day of October 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 legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission.” (Page 43)

“AMENDMENT XXI”

“Passed by Congress February 20, 2933. Ratified December 5, 1933.”

“Section 1.”

“The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.”

“Section 2.”

“The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, or possession of the United States 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 conventions 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.” (Page 43)

“AMENDMENT XXII”

“Passed by Congress March 21, 1947. Ratified February 27, 1951.” (Page 43)

“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 the President more than once. But this Article shall not apply to any person holding the office of President when this Article was proposed by the Congress, and shall not prevent any person who may be holding the office of President, or acting as President, during the term within this Article becomes operative from holding the office of President or acting as President during the remainder os such term.” (Pages 43-44)

“AMENDMENT XXIII”

“Passed by Congress June 16, 1960. Ratified March 29, 1961.”

“Section 1.”

“The District constituting the sear of Government of theUnited States shall appoint in such manner as the 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 shale considered, for the purposes of the election of President and Vice President, to bee 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.” (Page 44)

“AMENDMENT XXIV”

“Passed by Congress August 27, 1962. Ratified January 23, 1964.” (Page 44)

“Section 1.”

“The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary 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 United States or any State by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other tax.” (Pages 44-45)

“Section 2.”

“The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.” (Page 45)

“AMENDMENT XXV”

“Passed by Congress July 6, 1965. Ratified February 10, 1967.”

“Note: Article II, section 1, of the Constitution was affected 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 President, 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.” (Page 45)

“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 temper 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.” (Page 45)

“Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President pro temper of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that no inability exists, he shall resume the powers and duties of his office unless the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive department of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit within 4 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 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 President shall resume the powers and duties of his office.” (Page 46)

“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 United States, who are eighteen years of age or. older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States 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 and election of Representatives shall have intervened.” (Page 46)

“The U.S. Bill of Rights”

“Amendment I”

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging 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.” (Page 34)

“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.” (Page 34)

“Amendment III”

“No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, not in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.” (Page 34)

“Amendment IV”

“The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, 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 affirmation, and particularly describing describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.” (Page 34)

“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 anger; not shall any person be subject for the same offense 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.” (Pages 34-35)

“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 witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense.” (Page 35)

“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 United States, than according to the rules of the common law.” (Page 35)

“Amendment VIII”

“Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.” (Page 35)

“Amendment IX”

“The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.” (Page 35)

“Amendment X”

“The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.” (Page 35)

“Congress of the United States begun and held at the City if New York, on Wednesday the fourth of March one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine.” (Page 33)

“THE Conventions of a number of the States, having at the time to their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its power, 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.” (Page 33)

“RESOLVED by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, 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 United States, 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.” (Page 33)

“ARTICLES in addition to, and Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, proposed by Congress, and ratified by the Legislatures of the several States, pursuant to the fifth Article of the original Constitution.” (Page 33)

“On September 25, 1789, the First Congress of the United States proposed 12 amendments to the Constitution. The 1789 Joint Resolution of Congress proposing the amendments is on display in the Rotunda in the National Archives Museum. Ten of the proposed 12 amendments were ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures on December 15, 1791. The ratified Articles (Articles 3-12) constitute the first 10 amendments of the Constitution, or the U.S. Bill of Rights. In 1992, 203 years after it was proposed, Article 2 was ratified as the 27th Amendment to the Constitution. Article I was never ratified.” (Page 29)

“Congress of the United States begun and held at the City of New-York, on Wednesday of the fourth of March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine.”

“THE Convention 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.” (Page 29)

“RESOLVED by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, 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 United States, 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.” (Page 29)

“ARTICLES in addition to, and Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, proposed by Congress, and ratified by the Legislatures of the several States, pursuant to the fifth Article of the original Constitution.” (Page 29)

“Article the first … After the first enumeration required by the first article of the Constitution, 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 there shall be not less than one hundred Representatives, nor less than one Representative for every forty thousand persons, until the number of Representatives shall amount to two hundred; after which the proposition shall be so regulated by Congress, that there shall not be less than two hundred Representatives, nor more than one Representative for every fifty thousand persons.” (Page 30)

“Articles the second … No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect until an election of Representatives shall have intervened.” (Page 30)

“Article the third … Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging 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.” (Page 30)

“Article the fourth … 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.” (Page 30)

“Article the fifth … 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.” (Page 30)

“Article the sixth … The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrant shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.” (Page 30)

“Article the seventh … 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 bee subject for the same offense 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.” (Page 30)

“Article the eighth … 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 witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense.” (Page 31)

Article the ninth … 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 United States, than according to the rules of the common law.” (Page 31)

“Article the tenth … Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.” (Page 31)

“Article the eleventh … The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.” (Page 31)

“Article the twelfth … The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.” (Page 31)

“ATTEST,” (Page 31)

“Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg, Speaker of the House of Representatives” (Page 31)

“John Adams, Vice-President of the United States, and President of the Senate” (Page 31)

“John Beckley, Clerk of the House of Representatives” (Page 31)

“Sam. A Otis Secretary of the Senate” (Page 31)

“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” (Page 15)

Article.I.

Section. 1.

“All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.” (Page 15)

Section. 2.

“The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States, and the Electors in each State shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch of the State Legislature.” (Page 15)

“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 United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen.” (Page 15)

“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 United States, 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 choose 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.” (Pages 15-16)

“When vacancies happen in the Representation from any State, the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill such Vacancies.” (Page 16)

“The House of Representatives shall choose their Speaker and other Officers, and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.” (Page 16)

Section. 3.

“The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, chosen by the Legislature thereof, for six Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote.” (Page 16)

“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 Vacancies 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.” (Page 16)

“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 United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen.” (Page 16)

“The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided.” (Page 16)

“The Senate shall choose their other Officers, and also a President pro temper, in the Absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the Office of President of the United States.” (Page 16)

“The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present.” (Page 17)

“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 United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.” (Page 17)

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.” (Page 17)

“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.” (Page 17)

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.” (Page 17)

“Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behavior, and with the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member.” (Page 17)

“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.” (Page 17)

“Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall, without the Consent of the office, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other Place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.” (Page 18)

Section. 6.

“The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States. They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.” (Page 18)

“No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States, which shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been encreased during such time; and no Person holding any Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office.” (Page 18)

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.” (Page 19)

Every Bill shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it becomes a Law, be presented to the President of the United States; If he approve he shall sign it, but of 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.” (Page 18)

“Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the Concurrence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of Adjournment) shall be presented to the President of the United States; and before the Same shall take Effect, shall be approved by him, or being 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 aBill.” (Page 19)

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 Defense and general Welfare of the United States, but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States.” (Page 19)

“To borrow Money on the credit of the United States;” (Page 19)

“To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;” (Page 19)

“To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;” (Page 19)

“To coin money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fox the Standard of Weights and Measures;” (Page 19)

“To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States; (Page 19)

“To establish Post Offices and post Roads;” (Page 19)

“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;” (Page 19)

“To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;” (Page 19)

“To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations;” (Page 19)

“To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;” (Pages 19-20)

“To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;” (Page 20)

“To provide and maintain a Navy;” (Page 20)

“To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces; (Page 20)

“To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;” (Page 20)

“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 United States, reserving to the States respectively; the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;” (Page 20)

“To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as my, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, 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, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings; - And” (Page 20)

“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 United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.” (Page 20)

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.” (Page 20)

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 or.” (Page 20)

“No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.” (Page 20)

“No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to the Census or enumeration herein before directed to be taken.” (Page 21)

“No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State.” (Page 21)

“No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce or Revenue to the Ports of one State over those of anther: nor shall Vessels bound to, or from, one State, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay Duties in another.” (Page 21)

“No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence 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.” (Page 21)

“No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: 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.” (Page 21)

Section. 10.

“No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or grant any Title of Nobility.” (Page 21)

“No State shall, without the Consent of the Congress, lay any Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing it’s inspection Laws: and the net Produce of all Duties and Imposts, laid by any State on Imports or Exports, shall be for the Use of the Treasury of the United States; and all such Laws shall be subject to the Revision and Control of the Congress.” (Page 21)

“No state shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any Duty of Tonnage keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.” (Page 21)

Article. II.

“The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years, and together with the Vice President, chosen for the same Term, be elected, as follows:” (Page 22)

“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 Profit under the United State, shall be appointed an Elector.” (Page 22)

“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 Government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate. The President 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 choosing 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 Ballot the Vice President” (Page 22)

“The Congress may determine the Time of choosing the Electors. and the Day on which they shall give their Votes; which Day shall be the same throughout the United States.” (Page 22)

“No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, 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 United States,” (Page 23)

“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 saidOffice, the Same shall resolve 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 accordingly, until the Disability be removed, or a President shall be elected.” (Page 23)

“The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, a Compensation, which shall neither be encreased 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 United States, or any of them.” (Page 23)

“Before he enters 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 United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.’” (Page 23)

Section. 2.

“The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several states, when called into the actual Service of the United States ; 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 United States, except in Cases of Impeachment.” (Page 23)

“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 United States, 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 inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments.” (Page 23-24)

“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.” (Page 24)

Section. 3.

“He shall time to time give to the Congress Information of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary 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 Ministries: he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed and such Commission all the Officers of the United States.” (Page 24)

Section. 4.

“The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.” (Page 24)

Article III.

Section. 1.

“The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one Supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may time to time ordain and establish. The judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behavior, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services, a Compensation, which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office.” (Page 24)

Section. 2.

The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in Law and Equity, arising under this Constitution, the Laws the United States, and Treaties made, or which shall be made, under their Authority; - to all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls; - to all Cases of admiralty and maritime Jurisdiction; - to Controversies to which the United States 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 Citizens thereof, and foreign States, Citizens or Subjects.” (Page 24-25)

“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 Congress shall make.” ( Page 25)

“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.” (Page 25)

Section. 3.

Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving 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.” (Page 25)

“The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attained.” (Page 25)

Article, IV.

Section. 1.

“Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other 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.” (Page 25)

Section. 2.

“The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States.” (Page 26)

“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 Authority of the State from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the State having Jurisdiction of the Crime.” (Page 26)

“No Person held to Service or Labour in one State, under the Laws thereof, escaping into another ; shall, in Consequence 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.” (Page 26)

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 concerned as well as the Congress.” (Page 26)

“The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belongings to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the United States, or of any particular State.” (Page 26)

Section. 4.

“The United States 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.” (Page 26)

Article. V.

“The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary , shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing 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.” (Pages 26-27)

Article. VI.

“All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this Constitution, as under the Confederation.” (Page 27)

“This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, 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 o the Contrary notwithstanding.” (Page 27)

“The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States 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 United States." (Page 27)

Article. VII.

“The Ratification of the Convention of nine States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the Same.” (Page 27)

“The Word, “the,” being interlined between the seventh and eighth Lines of the first Page, The Word ‘Thirty’ being partly written on an Erazure in the fifteenth Line of the first Page, The Words ‘is tried’ being interlined between the thirty second and thirty third Lines of the first Page and the Word ‘the’ being interlined between the forty third and forty fourth Lines of the second Page.” (Page 27)

“Attest Williams Jackson Secretary” (Page 28)

“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 United States of America the Twelfth in witness whereof We have hereunto subscribed out Names.” (Page 28)

“Gᴼ. Washington, Preside and deputy from Virginia” (Page 28)

“Delaware - Geo: Read, Gunning Bedford jun, John Dickinson, Richard Bassett, Jaco: Broom” (Page 28)

“Maryland - James McHenry, Dan of St This. Jenifer, Danl. Carroll” (Page 28)

“Virginia - John Blair, James Madison Jr.” (Page 28)

“North Carolina - Wm. Blount, Richd. Dobbs Spaight, Hu Williamson” (Page 28)

“South Carolina - J. Rutledge, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Charles Pinckney, Pierce Butler” (Page 28)

“Georgia - William William Few, Abr Baldwin” (Page 28)

“New Hampshire - John Langdon, Nicholas Gilman” (Page 28)

“Massachusetts - Nathaniel Gorham, Rufust King” (Page 28)

“Connecticut - Wm Saml. Johnson, Roger Sherman” (Page 28)

“New York - Alexander Hamilton” (Page 28)

“New Jersey - Will: Livingston, David Brearley, Wm. Paterson, Jona: Dayton” (Page 28)

“Pennsylvania - B. Franklin, Thomas Mifflin, Robt. Morris, Geo. Clymer, Thos. FitzSimons, Jared Ingersoll, James Wilson, Gouv Morris” (Page 28)

I have chosen to not comment with this article, as I have fully relayed the text which can be easily read through its length and importance.

‘To all to whom there Presents shall come, we, the undersigned Delegates of the United States of America in Congress assembled did on the fifteenth day of November in the year of out Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy seven, and in the Second Year of the Independence of America agree to certain articles of Confederation and perpetual Union between the Plantations, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia in the Words following, viz. “Articles of Confederation and perpetual Union between the States of NewHampshire, Massachusetts-bay, Rhodeisland and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.” (Page 7)

“Article I. The Stile of this confederacy shall be, “The United States of America.” (Page 7)

“Article II. Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom and independence, and every Power, Jurisdiction and right, which is not by this confederation expressly delegated to the United States, in Congress assembled.” (Page 7)

“Article III. The said states hereby severally enter into a firm league of friendship with each other, for their common defense, the security of their Liberties, and their mutual and general welfare, binding themselves to assist each other, against all force offered to, or attacks made upon them, or any of them, on account of religion, sovereignty, trade, or any other pretence whatever.” (Page 7)

“Article IV. The better to secure and perpetuate mutual friendship and intercourse among the people of the different states in this union, the free inhabitants of each of these states, paupers, vagabonds and fugitives from Justice excepted, shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of free citizens in the several states; and the people of each state shall have free ingress and regress to and from any other state, and shall enjoy therein all the privileges of trade and commerce, subject to the same duties, impositions and restrictions as the inhabitants thereof respectively, provided that such restrictions shall not extend so far as to prevent the removal of property imported into any state, to any other State of which the Owner is an inhabitant; provided also that no imposition, duties or restriction shall be laid by any state, on the property of the united states, or either of them.” (Pages 7-8)

“If any Person guilty of, or charged with, treason, felony, or other high misdemeanor in any statement, shall flee from Justice, and be found in any of the united states, he shall upon demand of the Governor or executive power of the state from which he fled, be delivered up, and removed to the state having jurisdiction of his offense.” (Page 8)

“Full faith and credit shall be given in each of these states to the records, acts and judicial proceedings of the courts and magistrates of every other state.” (Page 8)

“Article V. For the more convenient management of the general interests of the united states, delegates shall be annually appointed in such manner as the legislature of each state shall direct, to meet in Congress on the first Monday in November, in every year, with a power reserved to each state to recall its delegates, or any of them, at any time within the year, and to send others in their stead, for the remainder of the Year.” (Page 8)

“No State shall be represented in Congress by less than two, nor by more than seven Members; and no person shall be capable of being delegate for more than three years, in any term of six years; nor shall any person, being a delegate, be capable of holding any office under the united states, for which he, or another for his benefit receives any salary; fees or emolument of any kind.” (Page 8)

“ Each State shall maintain its own delegates in a meeting of the states, and while they act as members of the committee of the states.” (Page 8)

“In determining questions in the united states, in Congress assembled, each state shall have one vote.” (Page 8)

“Freedom of speech and debate in Congress shall not be impeached or questioned in any Court, or place out of Congress, and the members of congress shall be protected in their persons from arrests and imprisonments, during the time of their going to and from, and attendance on congress, excerpt for treason, felony, or breach of space.” (Page 8)

“Article VI. No State, without the Consent of the United States, in congress assembled, shall send any embassy to, or receive any embassy from, or enter into any conferrence, agreement, alliance, or treaty, with any King prince or state; nor shall any person holding any office of profit or trust under the United States, or any of them, accept of any present, emolument, office, or title of any kind whatever, from any king, prince, or foreign state; nor shall the united states, in congress assembled, or any of them, grant any title of nobility.” (Page 9)

“No two or more states shall enter into any treaty, confederation, or alliance whatever between them, without the consent of the united states, in congress assembled, specifying accurately the purposes for which the same is to be entered into, and how long it shall continue” (Page 9)

“No State shall lay any imposts or duties, which may interfere with any stipulations in treaties, entered into by the United States in congress assembled, with any king, prince, or State, in pursuance of any treaties already proposed by congress, to the courts of France and Spain.” (Page 9)

“No vessels of war shall be kept up in time of peace, by any state, except such number only, as shall be deemed necessary by the united states, in congress assembled, for the defense of such state, or its trade; nor shall any body of forces be kept up, by any state, in time of peace, except such number only as, in the judgment of the United States, in congress assembled, shall be deemed requisite to garrison the forts necessary for the defense of such state; but every state shall always keep up a well regulated and disciplined militia, sufficiently armed and accounted, and shall provide and constantly have ready for use, in public stores, a due number of field pieces and tents, and a proper quantity of arms, ammunition, and camp equipage.” (Page 9)

“No State shall engage in any war without the consent of the united States in congress assembled, unless such State be actually invaded by enemies, or shall have received certain advice of a revolution being formed by some nation of Indians to invade such State, and the danger is so imminent as not to admit of a delay till the united states in congress assembled, can be consulted: nor shall any state grant commissions to any ships or vessels of war, nor letters of marque or reprisal, except it be after a declaration of war by the United States in congress assembled, and then only against the kingdom or State, and the subjects thereof, against which war has been so declared, and under such regulations as shall be established by the united states in congress assembled, unless such state be infested by pirates, in which case vessels of war may be fitted out for that occasion, and kept so long as the danger shall continue, or until the United States in congress assembled shall determine otherwise.” (Pages 9-10)

“Article VII. When land forces are raised by any state, for the common defense, all officers of or under the rank of colonel, shall be appointed by the legislature of each state respectively by whom such forces shall be raised, or in such manner as such state direct, and all vacancies shall be filled up by the state which first made appointment.” (Page 10)

“Article VIII. All charges of war , and all other expenses that shall be incurred for the common defense or general welfare, and allowed by the united states in congress assembled, shall be defrayed out of a common treasury, which shall be supplied by the several states, in proportion to the value of all land within each state, granted to or surveyed for any Person, as such land and the buildings and improvements thereon shall be estimated, according to such mode as the united states, in congress assembled, shall, from time to time, direct and appoint. The taxes for paying that proportion shall be laid and levied by the authority and direction of the legislatures of the several states within the time agreed upon by the united states in congress assembled.” (Page 10)

“Article IX. The united states, in congress assembled, shall have the sole and exclusive right and power of determining on peace and war, except in the cases mentioned in the sixth article - of sending and receiving ambassadors - entering into treaties and alliances, provided that no treaty of commerce shall be made, whereby the legislative power of the respective states shall be restrained from imposing such imposts and duties on foreigners, as their own people are subjected to, or from prohibiting the exportation of importation of any species of goods or commodities whatsoever - of establishing rules for deciding, in all cases, what captures on land or water shall be legal, and in what manner prizes taken by land or naval forces in the service of the united States, shall be divided or appropriated - of granting letters of marque and reprisal in times of peace - appointing courts for the trial of piracies and felonies committed on the high seas; and establishing courts; for receiving and determining finally appeals in all cases of captures; provided that no member of congress shall be appointed a judge of any of the said courts.” (Page 10)

“The united states, in congress assembled shall also be the last resort on appeal, in all disputes and differences now subsisting, or that hereafter may arise between two or more states concerning boundary, jurisdiction, or any other cause whatever, which authority shall always be exercised in the manner following. Whenever the legislative or executive authority, or lawful agent of any state in controversy with another, shall present a petition to congress, stating the matter in question, and praying for a hearing , notice thereof shall be given, by order of congress, to the legislative or executive authority of the other state in controversy, and a day assigned for the appearance of the parties by their lawful agents, who shall then be directed to appoint, by joint consent, commissioners or judges to constitute a court hearing and determining the matter in question: but if they cannot agree, congress shall name three persons out of each of the United States, and form the list of such persons each party shall alternately strike out one, the petitioners beginning, until the number shall be reduced to thirteen; and from that number not less than seven, nor more than nine names, as congress shall direct, shall, in the presence of congress, be drawn out by lot, and the persons whose names shall be so drawn, or any five of them, shall be commissioners or judges, to hear and finally determine the controversy, so always as major part of the judges, who shall hear the cause, shall agree in the determination: and if either party shall neglect to attend at the day appointed, without showing reasons which congress shall judge sufficient, or being present, shall refuse to strike, the congress shall proceed to nominate three persons out of State, and the secretary of congress shall strike in behalf of such party absent or refusing; and the judgment and sentence of the court, to be appointed in the manner before prescribed, shall be final and conclusive; and if any of the parties shall refuse to submit to the authority of such court, or to appear or defend their claim or cause, the court shall nevertheless proceed to pronounce sentence, or judgment, which shall in like manner be final and decisive; the judgment or sentence and other proceedings being in either case transmitted to congress, and lodged among the acts of congress, for the security of the parties concerned: provided that every commissioner, before he sits in judgment, shall take an oath to be administered by one of the judges of the supreme or superior court of the State where the cause shall be tried, ‘well and truly to hear and determine the matter in question, according to the best of his judgment, without favor, affection, or hope of reward:’ provided, also, that no State shall be deprived of territory for the benefit of the united states.” (Pages 10-11)

“All controversies concerning the private right of soil claimed under different grants of two or more states, whose jurisdictions as they may respect such lands, and the states which passed such grants are adjusted, the said grants or either of them being at the same time claimed to have originated antecedent to such settlement of jurisdiction, shall, on the petition of either party to the congress of the United States, be finally determined, as near as may be, in the same manner as is before prescribed for deciding disputes respecting territorial jurisdiction between different states,” (Pages 11-12)

“The united States, in congress assembled, shall also have the sole and exclusive right and power of regulating the alloy and value of coin struck by their own authority, or by that of the respective states - fixing the standard of weights and measures throughout the united States - regulating the trade and managing all affairs with the Indians, not members of any of the states; provided that the legislative right of any state, within its own limits, be not infringed or violated - establishing and regulating post-offices from one state to another, throughout all the united States, and exacting such postage on the papers passing through the same, as may be requisite to defray the expenses of the said office - appointing all officers of the land forces in the service of the united States, excepting regimental officers - appointing all the officers of the naval forces, and commissioning all officers whatever in the service of the United States; making rules for the government and regulation of the said land and naval forces, and directing their operations.” (Page 12)

“The United States, in congress assembled, shall have authority to appoint a committee, to sit in the recess of congress, to be denominated, “A Committee of the States.” and to consist of one delegate from each State; and to appoint such other committees and civil officers as may be necessary for managing the general affairs of the United States under the direction of - to appoint one of their number to preside; provided that no person be allowed to serve in the office of president more than one year in any term of three years; to ascertain the necessary sums of money to be raised for the service of the United States, and to appropriate and apply the same for defraying the public expenses; to borrow money or emit bills on the credit of the United States, transmitting every half year to the respective states an account of the sums of money so borrowed or emitted, - to build and equip a navy - to agree upon the number of land forces, and to make requisitions from each state for its quota, in proportion to the number of white inhabitants in such state, which requisition shall be binding; and thereupon the legislature of each state shall appoint the regimental officers, raise the men, and clothe, arm, and equip them, in a soldier-like manner, at the expense of the united states; and the officers and men so clothed, armed, and equipped, shall march to the place appointed, and within the time agreed on by the United States, in congress assembled; but if the United States, in congress assembled, shall, on consideration of circumstances, judge proper that any state should not raise men, or should raise a smaller number than its quota, and that any other state should raise a greater number of men than the quota thereof, such extra number shall be raised, officered, clothed, armed, and equipped in the same manner as the quota of such state, unless the legislature o such state shall judge that such extra number cannot be safely spared out of the same, in which case they shall raise, officer, clothe, arm and equip, as many of such extra number as they judge can be safely spared. And the officers and men so clothed, armed, and equipped, shall march to the place appointed, and within the time agreed on by the United States in congress assembled.” (Page 12-13)

“The united states, in congress assembled, shall never engage in a war, nor grant letters of marque and reprisal in time of peace, not enter into any treaties or alliances, nor coin money, nor regulate the value thereof nor ascertain the sums and expenses necessary for the defense and welfare of the united states, or any of them, nor emit bills, nor borrow money on the credit of the united states, nor appropriate money, nor agree upon the number of vessels of war to be build or purchased, or the number of land or sea forces to be raised, nor appoint a commander in chief of the army or navy, unless nine states assent to the same, nor shall a question on any other point, except for adjourning from day to day, be determined, unless by the votes of a majority of the united states in congress assembled.” (Page 13)

“The congress of the united states shall have power to adjourn to any time within the year, and to any place within the united states, so that no period of adjournment be for a longer duration than the space of six Months, and shall publish the Journal of their proceedings monthly, except such parts thereof relating to treaties, alliances, or military operations, as in their judgment require secrecy; and the yeas and nays of the delegates of each State, on any question, shall be entered on the Journal, when it is desired by any delegate; and the delegates of a State, or any of them, at his or their request, shall be furnished with a transcript of the said Journal, except such pasts as are above excepted, to lay before the legislatures of the several states.” (Page 13)

“Article X. The committee of the states, or any nine of them, shall be authorized to execute, in the recede of congress, such of the powers of congress as the united states, in congress assembled, by the consent of nine states, shall, from time to time, think expedient to vest them with; provided that no power be delegated to the said committee, for the exercise of which, by the articles of confederation, the voice of nine states, in the congress of the united states assembled, is requisite.” (Page 13)

“Article XI. Canada acceding tot his confederation, and joining in the measures of the United States, shall be admitted into, and entitled to all the advantages of this union: but no other colony shall be admitted into the same, unless such admission be agreed to by nine states.” (Pages 13-14)

“Article XII. All bills of credit emitted, monies borrowed, and debts contracted by or under the authority of congress, before the assembling of the united states, in pursuance of the present confederation, shall be deemed and considered as a a charge against the united states, for payment and satisfaction whereof the said United States and the public faith are hereby solemnly pledged.” (Page 14)

“Article XIII. Every State shall abide by the determinations of the united states, in congress assembled, on all questions which by this confederation are submitted to them. And the Articles of this confederation shall be inviolably observed by every state, and the union shall be perpetual; nor shall any alteration at any time hereafter be made in any of them, unless such alteration be agreed to in a congress of the united states, and be afterward con-firmed by the legislatures of every state.” (Page 14)

“And Whereas it hath pleased the Great Governor off the World to incline the hearts of the legislatures we respectively represent in congress, to approve of, and to authorize us to ratify the said articles of confederation and perpetual union, Know Ye, that we, the undersigned delegates, by virtue of the power and authority to us given for that purpose, do, by these presents, in the name and in behalf of our respective constituents, fully and entirely ratify and confirm each and every of the said articles of confederation and perpetual union, and all and singular the matters and things therein contained. And we do further solemnly plight and engage the faith of our respective constituents, that they shall abide by the determination of the United States in congress assembled, on all questions, which by the said confederation are submitted to them. And that the articles thereof shall be inviolably observed by the states we respectively represent, and that the union shall be perpetual. In Witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands, in Congress. Done at Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania, the ninth Day of July, in the Year of our Lord one Thousand seven Hundred and Seventy eight, and in the third year of the Independence of America.” (Page 14)

“The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen United States of America”

“When in the Course of human event it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.” (page 1)

My summary:

In order to change the path which had been so heavily influenced by another, it is necessary to speak out and state that separation is necessary and what caused the impetus to separate. The belief of those representing the thirteen colonies believed in the “Laws of Nature” and that they were entitled by Nature’s God to be able to have a voice and live accordingly to the thirteen state’s truths.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. - That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. - That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. - Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.” (Page 1)

My summary:

Here the text is outlining the broader reasons for a needed necessary change, as the government relationship between Great Britain and the thirteen united States of America had become toxic for those in the American states. The United Kingdom was becoming more and more non-supportive to the States of America, and in fact, the American United States could no longer endure what was becoming “absolute Despotism.” Those in America had a right to live and thrive, versus being entangled in often complex decisions by those of another government which did not truly value the people. Instead, the value was for control, domination and implications of land-possession and ownership

“He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.” (Page 2)

“He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.” (Page 2)

“He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.” (Page 2)

“He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.” (Page 2)

“He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.” (Page 2)

“He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.” (Page 2)

“He has endeavored to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.” (Page 2)

“He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.” (Page 2)

“He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.” (Page 2)

“He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.” (Page 2)

My summary:

It appears from these statements that the people’s value was of little concern to the King of the United Kingdom. The States of America people’s were not given their sovereign right to make unique decisions for themselves. The leader of the United Kingdom was not supporting the individuality of the other country’s people. Instead, the relationship became more similar to a takeover of a people’s ability to make their own decisions and to depress the population’s ability to thrive.

“He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.” (Page 2)

“He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.” (Page 3)

“He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws, giving his Assent to their Acts of predicted Legislation: (Page 2)

“For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:” (Page 3)

“For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States: (Page 3)

“For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world: (Page 3)

“For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:” (Page 3)

“For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:” (Page 3)

“For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offenses:” (Page 3)

“For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighboring Provence, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies” (Page 3)

“For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:” (Page 3)

“For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.” (Page 3)

“He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.” (Page 3)

“He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt out towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.” (Page 3)

“He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.” (Page 3)

“He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethen, or to fall themselves by their Hands.” (Page 4)

My summary:

The list includes these topics: the Military, Trial, Trade, Taxes, transportation by sea, change of local government to be run and policed by Great Britain, waging war against the united States of America. Those from the United Kingdom have caused structural and physical harm in the United States of America or by sea. Mercenaries were sent to cause death, destruction, and “tyranny.” Those in the United States of America were already experiencing “cruelty and perfidy” which compared to a “barbarous times.” Assassinations were ordered on “fellow Citizens”

“He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.” (Page 4)

“In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Price, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.” (Page 4)

“Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethen. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.” (Page 4)

My Summary:

Descriptions such as tyrant, oppressor reflected heavily on the King of the United Kingdom at that time. There seems to have been difficulty for a while for the United States of America to break free the United Kingdom. The united States of America seemed to follow in a type of relationship which appears to be congruent initially, and then, once it seems committed and secure, the lead power becomes more controlling and destructive for the other party which is trying to establish stability and security for its people while allowing for growth and self development and individual choices that can be unique for the Citizen in the united States of America.

“We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to Levy War, conclude Peace, contact Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. - And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.” (Page 4)

My summary:

The essence is that the people of the united States of America desire to be free and independent of Great Britain, while maintaining Alliances with each other. This Declaration offers Divine Providence protection, versus primarily on their relationship with Great Britain and all that had come along with that.

The Representatives of the united States of America who were in the General Congress are as follows and are from page 5 in this book.

“New Hampshire: Josiah Bartlett, William Whipple, Matthew Thornton”

“Massachusetts: John Hancock, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Elbridge Gerry”

“Rhode Island: Stephen Hopkins, William Ellery”

“Connecticut: Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott”

“New York: William Floyd, Philip Livingston, Francis Lewis, Lewis Morris”

“New Jersey: Richard Stockton, John Witherspoon, Francis Hopkinson, John Hart, Abraham Clark”

“Pennsylvania: Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush, Benjamin Franklin, John Morton, George Clymer, James Smith, George Taylor, James Wilson, George Ross”

Delaware: Caesar Rodney, George Read, Thomas McKean”

“Maryland: Samuel Chase, William Paca, Thomas Stone, Charles Carroll of Carrollton”

“Virginia: George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelson, Jr., Francis Lighfoot Lee, Carter Braxton”

“North Carolina: William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, John Penn”

“South Carolina: Edward Rutledge, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Thomas Lynch, Jr., Arthur Middleton”

Georgia: Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton”

While I have been doing research as I have been focused on creating opportunities for myself in my personal life and emerging professional life, I have learned much on the ground floor about many homeless - how they come they are in that position.

Society sets up a linear structure which in some cases is effective, but in some cases do not fully match this population’s needs. For example, it seems a form of drug and/or alcohol is used to manage their coping skills. It could be related to their own inner demons such as leaving home at age 13 due to disintegrating family life and changes with parents’ marriages and divorces. Based on those I spoke with, I learned that many who have “achieved” and are either using a voucher system, or previous had accessed section 8 housing in DC where I understand their income will be always capped based on if they earn more, they pay more. So they often panhandle and make money off the table and sometimes in nefarious ways, just to live in housing. Some housing may be reasonably in good shape and well-maintenanced. With one person I spoke with, they want to leave DC proper as his apartment building has been ridden with rats and roaches, despite the rental cost of living there; roaches invaded through the vent system and the roaches were in his books that were unique and special to him. A full spray in apartment, including most personal items, seems outrageous, especially since it is Northwest DC in the Adams Morgan area. Another person had come up to me as he wanted me to take him The Psychiatric Institute of Washington which is down the street, from the 24 hour fast food restaurant we had been separately there. He was tired of living on the street and thought by getting checked-in at that Institute, in 6 months he could get into an apartment. I did not ask if he had spent time in jail before, though he was trying to stop his drug addiction which he seemed to go in and out of periodically. I let him know I could not do so, as I did not know him and therefore was not in the position of having him entered into the psych ward.

Another experience was studying at a local bus stop while waiting for a local bus. Someone out of no where arrived there by bicycle and in an unconcerted, edgy and somewhat irritated way. He almost caught a bus then later resorting to inhaling a drug related to tin foil. I so do not know anything about drugs and little about alcohol. This was a bit disconcerting for many reasons for me. I felt so out of my element.

In the Washington DC area, if you had been walking around with a smaller suitcase on wheels, you would have in many cases thought that person was a student or professional, who did not want to be carrying heavy stuff on their back or shoulders. Now in the city, there is such a mix - many are traveling in and out of DC, as well as within the District area.

Washington DC has been going through a metamorphosis particularly over quite a few of the latest administrations. We are in time of great change, new perspectives and understandings. Managing these changes, often requires much from its population, such as new found flexibility replacing once was considered stable and unwavering.

Innately, many have concern for humaneness and others develop after experiencing much in their own personal life. Whichever the case, awareness is key, versus suggesting “sensitivity” is required. Sometimes to create change, more direct communications and proposals are required.

I am in hopes that the population of the homeless, are better understood and that we are better able to support those who are homeless who care to do for themselves and for their children. Teaching emotional management seems to be something critical to a person pulling themselves out of difficulty and this element could assist in turning around many in this population into a happier, better functioning population.

A few days ago, I was streamlining in my storage unit and found an article that I took with me to read later. The article was taken from “Focus,” issue January 1980. The article title was “Background: Tracing Smith Barney’s Roots.”

The initial part of the article, I was taken with, for it discussed the capitalist earlier beginnings. This aspect is what I will be sharing in this article. I will be sharing quite a few quotes which provide a sense of clarity and depths unknown to me previously.

“Egyptian traders of 5000 BC exchanged papyrus writings for goods as they sailed up and down the Nile. Mesopotamian merchants of 3000 BC formed trading companies and wealth in what we know as commodities futures. And in 2000 BC Babylonian tradesmen doing business in the temples loaned out silver, with promissory notes written on clay tablets. The capitalists of classical civilizations were the money changers, the first bankers. In the marketplaces, the agora in Greece, the forum in Rome, prime locations were allocated to them - and, as the corner spot got the most traffic, we see the origin of the phrase, cornering the market.” (Page 12)

“The growth of trade and commerce in Europe created the medieval fairs, movable marketplaces lasting weeks at a time, with the peripatetic bankers providing the currency exchange. By the 13th century, the Knights Templars in Paris and London were safeguarding vast sums of money, issuing documents listing the monies deposited, which then circulated freely, much as commercial paper does today. So, paper representing money existed, the rich could invest directly in a partnership or back a craftsman. Wealthy lawyers, doctors and merchants in London could buy shares in joint-stock companies - the earliest known was set up in the 1500s, called the Russia Company, with the full title of “The mysteries and company of the Merchants adventurers for the discovery of regions, dominions, islands, and places unknown.” (Page 12)

“By 1695 there were at least 140 joint-stock companies in England alone, including the famed Great East India Company. The London goldsmiths of the 1600s had become miniature banks; the merchandise brokers were the intermediaries between the buyer and the seller. But there was no central marketplace where investments could be made on an organized basis. Then in 1693 the English government had to raise some money to carry on a war, and a lottery loan answered the need - 100,000 shares at £10 each and paying 10% interest. Building on the success of this offering to the public, the government established the Governor and Company of the Bank of England for £1.2 million. Now brokers had something to buy and sell - stock in the East India and Russia companies and in the Bank of England - shares in private industry and in government securities, exactly what brokers have today.” (Page 12)

What struck me was how basic and practical this area of society was. Comparing to some viewpoints and shared on social media of recent day, there seems to be disdain for aspects of present day commerce that find financial opportunities. There also seems to be certainly extreme views aired with making money in sometimes quite inhuman ways.

In the long past, often only the higher level castes in society had the opportunity to really participate in the investment making way of exchanges and through privately made investments or in joint financial partnerships. Where as in the more recent present, the people of most societal levels have experienced to some capacity investing in public or private investments.

Depending on the peoples’ circumstances and the level of difficult financial circumstances and freedom to choose, many would often determine the level of financial multiplicity, i.e. increasing one’s resources through some passive style of investing and in direct action of trade as the mercantilist did. There were some ads in 1981 that actor John Houseman had participated in for Smith Barney. The famous, memorable quote he had used in the ads, was: “They make money the old fashion way. They earn it!”

The United States economy has developed and thrived with that mentality of being. Those that came to and lived in the United States worked hard and were able to often make success from the opportunities to make a living and to improve their and their families’ circumstances.

The U.S. allowed freedoms such as freedom of speech, along with choice of independent action when it came to community. It had overall encouraged growth and development of its people. The competition often encouraged new developments in a variety of industry. In more recent times, education had been changed such that the full force of the changes did not add to the strength of the nation. In fact, it has appeared to add to the strength of other nations in comparison with the United States. We in the U.S. are in another period of change where there are visions for the future, and frameworks are being designed and implemented by what seems like an unusual administration where there is hope. Often there are dissenters when change is occurring, especially great change, versus in small increments.

We in the United States have been blessed for the gifts of opportunity, self development, freedom of speech, and support of family life. Making the most of the opportunities while keeping in balance the change of technology development and human rights overall is important to the strength of our land.

Natural commodities in the United States have also been a blessing for those living in the United States. It well supports its inhabitants. Commodities have been a part of survival and early development of civilization. The AI development also requires use of commodities. So natural commodity types may remain the same, yet its uses can be seen in an expanding range of products.

Trade and commerce outside the United States appears to be becoming more balanced between the United States and other countries. Thus the capitalist component remains involved with the international trade, yet we as a country are starting to support those of the United States more fully. Certainly there are many complexities to capitalism and to international trade, which I am not addressing in this essay. There is much yet to do to support the United States citizens and it is important to value the U.S. citizens despite all the influx of newcomers to the U.S., particularly in the previous 4 years and a different administration. Vigilance and desire to maintain a higher level of humanity is critical to the strength and richness of the United States. I have faith and vision, along with keeping in touch with what is going on daily in the United States as best as I am able.

The better news was that I excelled at least in one of 2 areas. The bad news was I found my lack of computer practice on more complex practice test questions left me with not performing well due to the time allocation. Yes the regulatory aspect was easier to learn and required less practice for me. Math, I have enjoyed over the years, but for my achievement, I require more practice.

I was disappointed but not because I would need to work harder on this before seeing more success. The crux of this situation or decision was based on my choice to choose an area to get up-to-date education and begin work back in the corporate world. I have matured and grown substantially in bandwidth, wiseness, and even more in tenacity, over my breaks from the corporate world and with my banker position of more recent. So I do not regret the time I have needed to heal, grow, develop in various aspects of self and life.

Funny in a “tongue-in-cheek” way, I am prying myself out of a box I created. I created some semblance of stability and self assurance of who I am with more skills than I fully realized before. Blessing or curse, one would ask. We in Washington DC, the United States of America, and the world/earth, are going through great change - along with great conflict among many due to different ideas, ideologies, and emotions. Sometimes there seems to be instigators who prefer to torch and create flames - for one’s sense of amusement or power. Politics and finances are hot topics, along with, at times, lack of humanitarian sensitivities. There seems to be some trying to rectify the humanitarian aspect despite or amongst the demand of other great change.

My exam for me - in some ways represents many who on a greater scale feel their lives and emotions are being tested. As you know, people react differently. Some deflect, ignore, or face head-on in almost a defiant manner. We humans, who are able to use their left and right side of our brains with a sense of balance, see there is hope, hope through the power of the Creator of All Creation. Of course, there are those that have a variety of personal belief systems which can conflict with others if they are vehemently declared with harshness and obstinacy.

We are all going through tests of faith. There is undeniable trust in humanity - from turning vile, viciousness to a more cohesive yet independent individual identities which have God given talents and are able to give voice to and contribute in a positive healthy way - versus in an over controlled, monopolistic type of lifestyle. Never forget we each have talents and can choose how to develop and use them. What you feed with your choices, can steer you in the direction of destruction or in life and expansion. The decision to act and focus on good or evil can certainly be applied here. The truth is how we live our lives are based on the thoughts we continue to listen to. Actions can enhance or destroy from our possibilities and opportunity for growth and improving, versus creating decay. We each have a choice.

If it is a system topic, where food commodities are hard to come by, then, reworking what food products are available and include items which support one’s body, i.e. not foods which cause allergic reactions, or items that cause disharmony in one’s own body. If you are supporting others, their special dietary requirements need to be considered. Some have learned to forage in their local forests. Of course, considerations of whether the fruits and vegetables have been sprayed with a chemical harmful to both children and adults, should be investigated.

Research alternative sources thoroughly. Look for resources such as food banks or charities that provide food stuffs. The distance needs to be reachable for where you are living or staying.

How long you believe you will be in the predicament, affects the type of resources you need to find. Sustainable provisions are important for the longer term. Solutions need to be balanced for shorter and longer terms.

Restaurants, coffee shops, and grocery stores take recently expired items off of their shelves. Bakeries often get rid of their second-day old baked goods, such as bread and pastries. They usually want to keep one or two days old at maximum.

Some churches often prepare meals for those in need. Being in the churches’ purview helps, particularly depending on how many others’ are also needing a meal(s). Knowing the distance you may need to go, is important for transportation costs and timing during the day.

Sometimes friends and family can provide assistance, though they may not be able to provide a strong lifeline to you over numerous times or for long periods of time.

Grocery stores often have a microwave to heat food you have purchased from that store. It can be cheaper to buy fresh fruits and vegetables at better prices and eat what you purchase in one sitting.

On the longer-term plan, indoors, you can grow some fruit and vegetables using clay pots and rectangular wood or plastic boxes - a smaller version could be a window flower box. You can use seeds you purchase or you can forage. It depends what is available to you at the time. Buying special soil from the store can provide a more nutrient based and sterile like environment for your vegetation. Having a sunnier area to place these containers would aid in the vegetation growth. Some get the plant to grow in a small pot until the plant grows roots to help it sustain better in a bigger growing environment.

Bartering is an old techniques used to exchange something you have for something you need. Most likely you would handle this locally. The concept may be used in less local circumstances. More factors need to be considered if non-local due to the complexities related to transportation and such. Potentially taxes may be required and depends on the region and country.

Depending on your state or country’s social services, a debit card may be provided and refilled monthly for healthier food and non-alcohol drinks.

I have provided you with ideas that you may or may not have thought of, for yourself or for someone you know.

There is such actually positive value in companies having some element of competition, such as in 24 hour restaurant establishments where there is not just one for lower priced items and one for higher end food and service. There are many reasons for having access to restaurants establishments open 24/7. Reasons include a place to produce not in a home environment for a range of possible reasons for an individual, include one’s travel schedule particularly when staying in an Airbnb for example. Sometimes a person just needs a different place to work to keep the project more energizing. Projects would be ones that do not require excess space or being in an extra quiet environment. There are others who find the night hours a great time for doing creative projects which are personal or for professional reasons.

The level of staff required may vary due to the location of the restaurant. Being in safe neighborhoods versus one known for crime and violence would make sense. At times when an industry is meeting a population or environment need, some companies may take advantage of being the only one available to the public. Not always are there minimalists who just provide on the border of being inhospitable. The treatment can certainly impact how a company is viewed for the longer term and may change the value the customer has for the products and services a restaurant offers at early morning hours of a day.

Being in a larger city, there are individuals who would more likely want to find a place to go to for at least 2-3 hours in the middle of the night or early morning. More often than not, there are workaholics, and/or individuals with lots of responsibilities for whatever reason. There can be a myriad of factors, such as just needing space and time not near other projects needing to be addressed.

Clearly, during the hours where a restaurant may not be close to capacity, having lighter fare for those who have gluten intolerances, a vegan or vegetarian diet, to dairy intolerance, would be helpful. The key is the items that are good staples. The menu can be a reliable source for alternative dietary needs other than one particular focus or style. The customers can enjoy having what they need and the company is not burdened or overstrained with preparation time and maintenance.

Thanks for reading! Until next time.