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In the original Constitution of the United States there was no provision regarding the freedom of the press, it being left to be regulated by the States in accordance with the established opinion of the people. But the first Congress passed an amendment to the Constitution securing the freedom of the press against the Federal Government. Previous to this the States had nearly all inserted in their constitutions clauses permitting freedom of speech and publication to every citizen. Citizens were of course held responsible for abuses of this liberty. Ln States, as New York and New Jersey, where no such provision was made in the original Constitution, the freedom of the press was considered as established under the common law, but provisions to that effect were embodied in later constitutions. During British rule of the colonies this freedom was much restricted by the Star Chamber Press-censorship regulation of 1637, which was confirmed by Parliament in 1643.