A Brief History of the United StatesSteele, Joel Dorman
History
A Brief History of the United States
Steele, Joel Dorman
United States -- History
[Footnote: _Section 9_. Eight clauses now follow, enumerating
the _powers denied to Congress._ What prohibition was made
concerning the slave trade? Writ of habeas corpus? Bill of
attainder? Ex-post-facto law? Direct tax? Exports from any state?
Trade between the United States? Payments from the Treasury? Titles
of nobility? United States office-holder receiving presents from a
foreign power? (_Notes._--The object of the first clause was
to destroy the foreign slave trade or the importation of negroes
from Africa for the purpose of enslaving them. In 1808, a law was
passed prohibiting the trade, and in 1820 it was declared to be
piracy. A writ of habeas corpus is a written order from a
magistrate directing that a certain person shall be brought before
him; its object is to guard against false imprisonment or trial in
a prejudiced court. A bill of attainder is an English term, meaning
an act which without trial inflicts death for treason: attainder of
treason cannot in the United States work "corruption of blood" so
as to prevent a person from transmitting lands to his descendants.
An ex-post-facto law makes an act criminal or penal which was not
so at the time it was committed. A United States office-holder,
wishing to accept a present or distinction offered him by any
foreign power, must ask permission of Congress before he can
receive it.)]
SECTION IX.
CLAUSE 1. 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.
CLAUSE 2. 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 it.
CLAUSE 3. No bill of attainder or ex-post-facto law shall be
passed.
CLAUSE 4. No capitation or other direct tax shall be laid, unless
in proportion to the census or enumeration hereinbefore directed to
be taken.
CLAUSE 5. No tax or duty shall be laid on articles exported from
any State.
CLAUSE 6. No preference shall be given by any regulation of
commerce or revenue to the ports of one State over those of
another; nor shall vessels bound to, or from, one State, be obliged
to enter, clear, or pay duties in another.
CLAUSE 7. 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.
CLAUSE 8. 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.
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