Main Idea
Congress has implied powers, but there are limits to them. Section 9 of Article 1 of the Constitution lists the powers that are denied to Congress. These limits protect the citizens of the United States of America from unjust treatment.
Slave Trade
Titles of Nobility
"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."
"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."
- The migration and importation of slaves cannot be prohibited by Congress.
- A tax or duty may be put on the importation if each person is worth ten dollars or less.
- Nobility - to be in higher class than someone else, like royalty, officially by the government.
- No Titles of Nobility should be granted by the government.
- No one is allowed to accept this title from another ruler of a foreign country or state.
Public Money
Habeas Corpus
"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."
"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."
Article 1, Section 9 of
the Constitution: Powers Denied Congress
- Money cannot be taken from the Treasury unless a law or order says it is okay.
- How the money in the Treasury is being used should be published for the people to see from time to time.
- Writ of Habeas Corpus - a court order that requires the government to bring a prisoner to court and explain why he ir she is being held.
- The Writ of Habeas Corpus cannot be suspended unless the safety of the peple requires it during a invasion or a rebellion.
No Favorites
"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."
Illegal Punishment
- No preference can be given to a certain port of a certain state where goods can be dropped off or shipped and where ships can come and go.
- Ships or vehicles going from one state to another shouldn't have to enter, clear, or pay the other state for using their port.
"No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed."
- Bill of Attainder - a law declaring that a person is guilty of a particular crime.
- ex post facto Law - a law that is made effective prior to the date that it was passed and therefore punishes people for acts that were not illegal at the time.
- No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law can be passed.
Export Taxes
Direct Taxes
"No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State."
"No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to the Census or enumeration herein before directed to be taken."
- No tax can passed on goods or products exported from any state going to any other state.
- Capitation - a direct uniform tax imposed on each head, or person.
- No Capitation Tax can be passed.