The New Student's Reference Work/Bill of Rights

Bill of Rights. This name is commonly given to the declarations of the rights of citizens which are prefixed to the constitutions of most of the states of the Union. It is also given to the first ten amendments to the U. S. constitution, proposed by the first constitutional congress and adopted in 1791 by the states. The original bill of rights was, however, an English act of Parliament which summed up the results of the revolution which had placed William and Mary on the throne. This bill of 1689 made it illegal for the crown to suspend the laws, levy money without the consent of parliament, or keep a standing army in time of peace. It also declared the rights of citizens to impartial and not over-severe justice, frequent parliaments, carrying arms for self-defense, free elections and petition to the king. To this bill of rights was added an act for the settlement of the crown upon William and Mary and their children; and next upon Anne and her children.