The Massachusetts constitution was enacted on February 6, 1788.
The end of the institution, maintenance, and administration of government, is to secure the existence of the body politic, to protect it, and to furnish the individuals who compose it with the power of enjoying in safety and tranquillity their natural rights, and the blessings of life: and whenever these great objects are not obtained, the people have a right to alter the government, and to take measures necessary for their safety, prosperity, and happiness.
The body politic is formed by a voluntary association of individuals: it is a social compact, by which the whole people covenants with each citizen, and each citizen with the whole people, that all shall be governed by certain laws for the common good. It is the duty of the people, therefore, in framing a constitution of government, to provide for an equitable mode of making laws, as well as for an impartial interpretation and a faithful execution of them; that every man may, at all times, find, his security in them.
We, therefore, the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging, with grateful hearts, the goodness of the great Legislator of the universe, in affording us, in the course of His providence, an opportunity, deliberately and peaceably, without fraud, violence, or surprise; of entering into an original, explicit, and solemn compact with each other; and of forming a new constitution of civil government, for ourselves and posterity, and devoutly imploring His direction in so interesting a design, do agree upon, ordain, and establish, the following Declaration of Rights, and Frame of Government, as the constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
- MA Bill of Rights Preamble
- MA Bill of Rights, Article 1
- MA Bill of Rights, Article 2
- MA Bill of Rights, Article 3
- MA Bill of Rights, Article 4
- MA Bill of Rights, Article 5
- MA Bill of Rights, Article 6
- MA Bill of Rights, Article 7
- MA Bill of Rights, Article 8
- MA Bill of Rights, Article 9
- MA Bill of Rights, Article 10
- MA Bill of Rights, Article 11
- MA Bill of Rights, Article 12
- MA Bill of Rights, Article 13
- MA Bill of Rights, Article 14
- MA Bill of Rights, Article 15
- MA Bill of Rights, Article 16
- MA Bill of Rights, Article 17
- MA Bill of Rights, Article 18
- MA Bill of Rights, Article 19
- MA Bill of Rights, Article 20
- MA Bill of Rights, Article 21
- MA Bill of Rights, Article 22
- MA Bill of Rights, Article 23
- MA Bill of Rights, Article 24
- MA Bill of Rights, Article 25
- MA Bill of Rights, Article 26
- MA Bill of Rights, Article 27
- MA Bill of Rights, Article 28
- MA Bill of Rights, Article 29
- MA Bill of Rights, Article 30
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