Source: The Founders' Constitution, edited by Philip B. Kurland and Ralph Lerner (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund, 2001), 5 vols.

Copyright: 1987 University of Chicago. This edition is reprinted by arrangement with the University of Chicago Press, Chicago, Illinois. Liberty Fund, in cooperation with Chicago University Press, publishes the paperback version of the 5 volume The Founders' Constitution, ed. Philip B. Kurland and Ralph Lerner (1987, 2000) and co-sponsors the online version hosted by the University of Chicago Press. Please visit Liberty Fund's online catalog to order a copy. The links on this page direct readers to an external web site hosted by the University of Chicago which retains copyright to the material.

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Article 1 (Continued)

Article 1, Section 8, Clause 5

To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;

• 1.William Blackstone, Commentaries 1:264--68, 1765
• 2.Robert Morris to President of Congress, 15 Jan. 1782
• 3.Robert Morris to Thomas Jefferson, 1 May 1784
• 4.Wharton v. Morris
• 5.Thomas Jefferson, Propositions respecting Coinage, 13 May 1785
• 6.Records of the Federal Convention
• 7.James Madison, Federalist, no. 42, 285, 22 Jan. 1788
• 8.John Jay to George Washington, 13 Nov. 1790
• 9.St. George Tucker, Blackstone's Commentaries 1:App. 261--62, 1803
• 10.Joseph Story, Commentaries on the Constitution 3:§§ 1112--17, 1833
• SEE ALSO:

Article 1, Section 8, Clause 6

To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States:

• 1.Records of the Federal Convention
• 2.St. George Tucker, Blackstone's Commentaries 1:App. 262--64, 1803
• 3.State v. Randall
• 4.State v. Tutt
• SEE ALSO:

Article 1, Section 8, Clause 7

To establish Post Offices and post Roads;

• 1.Records of the Federal Convention
• 2.John Jay to George Washington, 21 Sept. 1788
• 3.House of Representatives, Post Office Bill, 6--7 Dec. 1791 3, 5 Jan. 1792
• 4.Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 6 Mar. 1796
• 5.St. George Tucker, Blackstone's Commentaries 1:App. 264--65, 1803
• 6.William Rawle, A View of the Constitution of the United States 103--4 1829 (2d ed.)
• 7.Joseph Story, Commentaries on the Constitution 3:§§ 1119--42, 1144--45, 1833
• SEE ALSO:

Article 1, Section 8, Clause 8

To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;

• 1.An Act for Preventing the Frequent Abuses in Printing Seditious Treasonable and Unlicensed Books and Pamphlets and for Regulating Printing and Printing Presses 14 Chas. 2, c. 33 (1662)
• 2.An Act for the Encouragement of Learning, by Vesting the Copies of Printed Books in the Author's or Purchasers of Such Copies 8 Anne, c. 19 (1709)
• 3.William Blackstone, Commentaries 2:406, 1766
• 4.Massachusetts Constitution of 1780, CH. 5, SEC. 2
• 5.James Madison, Act Securing Copyright for Authors, Virginia House of Delegates, 16 Nov. 1785
• 6.Records of the Federal Convention
• 7.James Madison, Federalist, no. 43, 288, 23 Jan. 1788
• 8.James Rumsey to Thomas Jefferson, 6 June 1789
• 9.Alexander Hamilton, Report on Manufactures, 5 Dec. 1791
• 10.Levi Lincoln, Patents for Inventions, 26 May 1802
• 11.St. George Tucker, Blackstone's Commentaries 1:App. 265--67, 1803
• 12.Thomas Jefferson to Isaac McPherson, 13 Aug. 1813
• 13.William Rawle, A View of the Constitution of the United States 104--6 1829 (2d ed.)
• 14.Joseph Story, Commentaries on the Constitution 3:§§ 1147--50, 1833
• 15.Wheaton v. Peters
• SEE ALSO:

Article 1, Section 8, Clause 9

To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;

• 1.William Blackstone, Commentaries 1:257, 1765
• 2.Records of the Federal Convention
• 3.Luther Martin, Genuine Information, 1788
• 4.St. George Tucker, Blackstone's Commentaries 1:App. 267--68, 1803
• 5.American Insurance Co. v. Canter
• SEE ALSO:

Article 1, Section 8, Clause 10

To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations;

• 1.Edmund Randolph, James Duane, John Witherspoon, Report to Congress, Nov. 1781
• 2.Respublica v. De Longchamps
• 3.Records of the Federal Convention
• 4.James Madison, Federalist, no. 42, 280--81, 22 Jan. 1788
• 5.James Wilson, Of the Law of Nations, Lectures on Law, 1791
• 6.St. George Tucker, Blackstone's Commentaries 1:App. 268--69, 1803
• 7.The Schooner Exchange v. McFaddon
• 8.Brown v. United States
• 9.United States v. Smith
• 10.The Antelope
• 11.James Kent, Commentaries 1:1--4, 15--19, 171--76, 1826
• 12.William Rawle, A View of the Constitution of the United States 106--9 1829 (2d ed.)
• 13.United States v. Benner
• 14.Joseph Story, Commentaries on the Constitution 3:§§ 1153--62, 1833
• 15.Case of Jose Ferreira dos Santos
• SEE ALSO:

Article 1, Section 8, Clause 11

To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;

• 1.William Blackstone, Commentaries 1:249--51, 1765
• 2.Articles of Confederation, art. 9, 1 Mar. 1781
• 3.Continental Congress, Apr. 1781
• 4.Records of the Federal Convention
• 5.Pierce Butler, South Carolina Legislature, 16 Jan. 1788
• 6.James Wilson, Legislative Department, Lectures on Law, 1791
• 7.Thomas Jefferson, The Anas, Nov. 1793
• 8.James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 2 Apr. 1798
• 9.Charles Lee, Treason, 21 Aug. 1798
• 10.Bas v. Tingy
• 11.Alexander Hamilton, The Examination, no. 1, 17 Dec. 1801
• 12.St. George Tucker, Blackstone's Commentaries 1:App. 269--72, 1803
• 13.Little v. Bareme
• 14.The Schooner Exchange v. McFaddon
• 15.Brown v. United States
• 16.James Kent, Commentaries 53-67, 1826
• 17.William Rawle, A View of the Constitution of the United States 109--11 1829 (2d ed.)
• 18.Joseph Story, Commentaries on the Constitution 3:§§ 1164--72, 1833
• SEE ALSO:

Article 1, Section 8, Clause 12

To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;

• 1.Bill of Rights, sec. 6, 2, 16 Dec. 1689
• 2.Montesquieu, Spirit of Laws, bk. 5, CH. 19, 1748
• 3.William Blackstone, Commentaries 1:254, 1765
• 4.James Burgh, Political Disquisitions 2:341--49, 389--91, 399--407, 1774
• 5.Adam Smith, Wealth of Nations, bk. 5, CH. 1, PT. 1, 1776
• 6.George Washington, Sentiments on a Peace Establishment, 2 May 1783
• 7.Alexander Hamilton, Continental Congress Report on a Military Peace Establishment, 18 June 1783
• 8.Richard Henry Lee to James Monroe, 5 Jan. 1784
• 9.Records of the Federal Convention
• 10.Federal Farmer, no. 3, 10 Oct. 1787
• 11.A Democratic Federalist, 17 Oct. 1787
• 12.Alexander Hamilton, Federalist, no. 8, 44--50, 20 Nov. 1787
• 13.James Wilson, Pennsylvania Ratifying Convention, 11 Dec. 1787
• 14.Alexander Hamilton, Federalist, no. 23, 146--51, 18 Dec. 1787
• 15.Alexander Hamilton, Federalist, no. 24, 152--57, 19 Dec. 1787
• 16.Alexander Hamilton, Federalist, no. 25, 158--63, 21 Dec. 1787
• 17.Alexander Hamilton, Federalist, no. 26, 164--71, 22 Dec. 1787
• 18.Alexander Hamilton, Federalist, no. 28, 176--80, 26 Dec. 1787
• 19.James Iredell, Marcus, Answers to Mr. Mason's Objections to the New Constitution, 1788
• 20.Brutus, no. 8, 10 Jan. 1788
• 21.Brutus, no. 9, 17 Jan. 1788
• 22.James Madison, Federalist, no. 41, 269--76, 19 Jan. 1788
• 23.Brutus, no. 10, 24 Jan. 1788
• 24.Federal Farmer, no. 18, 25 Jan. 1788
• 25.James Madison, Federalist, no. 46, 320--22, 29 Jan. 1788
• 26.A [Maryland] Farmer, no. 2, 29 Feb. 1788
• 27.Debate in Virginia Ratifying Convention, 14 June 1788
• 28.St. George Tucker, Blackstone's Commentaries 1:App. 272--75, 1803
• 29.Joseph Story, Commentaries on the Constitution 3:§§ 1174--87, 1833
• SEE ALSO:

Article 1, Section 8, Clause 13

To provide and maintain a Navy;

• 1.Records of the Federal Convention
• 2.John Jay, Federalist, no. 4, 19--23, 7 Nov. 1787
• 3.Alexander Hamilton, Federalist, no. 11, 65--73, 24 Nov. 1787
• 4.Debate in Virginia Ratifying Convention, 14 June 1788
• 5.George Washington, Eighth Annual Address, 7 Dec. 1796
• 6.House of Representatives, Protection of Trade, 22 June 1797
• 7.Bas v. Tingy
• 8.Joseph Story, Commentaries on the Constitution 3:§§ 1189--91, 1833

Article 1, Section 8, Clause 14

To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;

• 1.Records of the Federal Convention
• 2.House of Representatives, Army Regulations, Jan. 1806
• 3.Joseph Story, Commentaries on the Constitution 3:§§ 1192--93, 1833
• SEE ALSO:

Article 1, Section 8, Clause 15

To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;

• 1.William Blackstone, Commentaries 1:395, 1765
• 2.Virginia Declaration of Rights, sec. 13, 12 June 1776
• 3.Delaware Declaration of Rights and Fundamental Rules, secs. 18--20, 11 Sept. 1776
• 4.John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 26 May 1777
• 5.Records of the Federal Convention
• 6.Brutus, no. 4, 29 Nov. 1787
• 7.James Wilson, Pennsylvania Ratifying Convention, 11 Dec. 1787
• 8.Luther Martin, Genuine Information, 1788
• 9.Alexander Hamilton, Federalist, no. 29, 181--87, 9 Jan. 1788
• 10.A [New Hampshire] Farmer, no. 1, 11 Jan. 1788
• 11.Federal Farmer, no. 18, 25 Jan. 1788
• 12.Luther Martin, Letters, no. 3, 14 Mar. 1788
• 13.Debate in Virginia Ratifying Convention, 14 June 1788
• 14.House of Representatives, Militia, 16, 21 Dec. 1790
• 15.George Washington, Order Calling Up the Militia, 7 Aug. 1794
• 16.George Washington, Sixth Annual Address, 19 Nov. 1794
• 17.Governor Caleb Strong to Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, and Reply
• 18.James Monroe to Chairman of Senate Military Committee, Feb. 1815
• 19.Meade v. Deputy Marshal
• 20.Houston v. Moore
• 21.James Kent, Commentaries 1:244--50, 1826
• 22.Martin v. Mott
• 23.Joseph Story, Commentaries on the Constitution 3:§§ 1195--97, 1833
• SEE ALSO:

Article 1, Section 8, Clause 16

To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;

• 1.Sir Matthew Hale, History of the Common Law 1713 (posthumous)
• 2.William Blackstone, Commentaries 1:401--4, 1765
• 3.Records of the Federal Convention
• 4.Charles Pinckney, Observations on the Plan of Government, 1787
• 5."John DeWitt," NO. 5, Fall 1787
• 6.Alexander Hamilton, Federalist, no. 29, 181--87, 9 Jan. 1788
• 7.Federal Farmer, no. 18, 25 Jan. 1788
• 8.Luther Martin, Genuine Information, 1788
• 9.A Native of Virginia, Observations upon the Proposed Plan of Federal Government, 1788
• 10.Patrick Henry, Virginia Ratifying Convention, 5 June 1788
• 11.Melancton Smith, Proposed Amendment, New York Ratifying Convention, 2 July 1788
• 12.James Iredell, Proposed Amendment, North Carolina Ratifying Convention, 1 Aug. 1788
• 13.James Madison, Fourth Annual Message to Congress, 4 Nov. 1812
• 14.Vanderheyden v. Young
• 15.Gouverneur Morris to Moss Kent, 12 Jan. 1815
• 16.Houston v. Moore
• 17.William Wirt, Courts-Martial--New York Militia, 19 June 1821
• 18.Martin v. Mott
• 19.Joseph Story, Commentaries on the Constitution 3:§§ 1199--1210, 1833
• SEE ALSO:

Article 1, Section 8, Clause 17

To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of Particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings;--

• 1.William Blackstone, Commentaries 1:255, 1765
• 2.Records of the Federal Convention
• 3.James Madison, Federalist, no. 43, 288--90, 23 Jan. 1788
• 4.Debate in Massachusetts Ratifying Convention, 24 Jan. 1788
• 5.Federal Farmer, no. 18, 25 Jan. 1788
• 6.Debate in Virginia Ratifying Convention, 6, 16 June 1788
• 7.Thomas Tredwell, New York Ratifying Convention, 2 July 1788
• 8.Debate in North Carolina Ratifying Convention, 30 July 1788
• 9.Samuel Adams to Elbridge Gerry, 22 Aug. 1789
• 10.James Madison, Location of Capital, House of Representatives, 4, 21 Sept. 1789
• 11.St. George Tucker, Blackstone's Commentaries 1:App. 276--78, 1803
• 12.Hepburn v. Ellzey
• 13.United States v. More
• 14.Commonwealth v. Clary
• 15.Custis v. Lane
• 16.United States v. Cornell
• 17.People v. Godfrey
• 18.Loughborough v. Blake
• 19.Cohens v. Virginia
• 20.William Wirt, Right to Tax Government Property, 8 Sept. 1823
• 21.American Insurance Co. v. Canter
• 22.Joseph Story, Commentaries on the Constitution 3:§§ 1212--22, 1833
• SEE ALSO:

Article 1, Section 8, Clause 18

To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.

• 1.Centinel, no. 5, Fall 1787
• 2.An Old Whig, no. 2, Fall 1787
• 3.Federal Farmer, no. 4, 12 Oct. 1787
• 4.Brutus, no. 1, 18 Oct. 1787
• 5.James Wilson, Pennsylvania Ratifying Convention, 1, 4 Dec. 1787
• 6.Alexander Hamilton, Federalist, no. 33, 203--208, 2 Jan. 1788
• 7.James Madison, Federalist, no. 44, 303--5, 25 Jan. 1788
• 8.John Lansing, Proposed Amendment, New York Ratifying Convention, 2 July 1788
• 9.James Madison, The Bank Bill, House of Representatives, 2 Feb. 1791
• 10.Thomas Jefferson, Opinion on the Constitutionality of the Bill for Establishing a National Bank, 15 Feb. 1791
• 11.Alexander Hamilton, Opinion on the Constitutionality of the Bank, 23 Feb. 1791
• 12.St. George Tucker, Blackstone's Commentaries 1:App. 286--90, 1803
• 13.Martin v. Hunter's Lessee
• 14.McCulloch v. Maryland
• 15.James Madison to Spencer Roane, 2 Sept. 1819
• 16.Thomas Jefferson to Spencer Roane, 6 Sept. 1819
• 17.Gibbons v. Ogden
• 18.American Insurance Co. v. Canter
• 19.James Madison to Reynolds Chapman, 6 Jan. 1831
• 20.Andrew Jackson, Veto Message, 10 July 1832
• 21.Joseph Story, Commentaries on the Constitution 3:§§ 1238--89, 1833
• SEE ALSO:

Article 1, Section 9, 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.

• 1.Thomas Jefferson, Bill to Prevent the Importation of Slaves, 16 June 1777
• 2.Pirate v. Dalby
• 3.Records of the Federal Convention
• 4.Tench Coxe, An Examination of the Constitution, Fall 1787
• 5.A Federal Republican, 28 Oct. 1787
• 6.James Wilson, Pennsylvania Ratifying Convention, 3--4 Dec. 1787
• 7.A Countryman, 13 Dec. 1787
• 8.Luther Martin, Genuine Information, 1788
• 9.Joshua Atherton, New Hampshire Ratifying Convention, 1788
• 10.Debate in South Carolina House of Representatives, 16--17 Jan. 1788
• 11.Debate in Massachusetts Ratifying Convention, 18, 25--26, 30 Jan. 1788
• 12.James Madison, Federalist, no. 42, 281--82, 22 Jan. 1788
• 13.Consider Arms, Malichi Maynard, and Samuel Field, Reasons for Dissent, 16 Apr. 1788
• 14.Debate in Virginia Ratifying Convention, 15 June 1788
• 15.Debate in North Carolina Ratifying Convention, 26 July 1788
• 16.James Madison, Import Duty on Slaves, House of Representatives, 13 May 1789
• 17.House of Representatives, Slave Trade, 23 Mar. 1790
• 18.St. George Tucker, Blackstone's Commentaries 1:App. 290, 1803
• 19.John Jay to Elias Boudinot, 17 Nov. 1819
• 20.James Madison to Robert Walsh, 27 Nov. 1819
• 21.Walter Lowrie, Senate, 20 Jan. 1820
• 22.James Madison to James Monroe, 10 Feb. 1820
• 23.Charles Pinckney, House of Representatives, 14 Feb. 1820
• 24.Gibbons v. Ogden
• 25.The Antelope
• 26.James Kent, Commentaries 1:179--87, 1826
• 27.Hunter v. Fulcher
• 28.Joseph Story, Commentaries on the Constitution 3:§§ 1327--31, 1833
• SEE ALSO:

Article 1, Section 9, 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.

• 1.Chambers's Case
• 2.Habeas Corpus Act, 2, 27 May 1679
• 3.Opinion on the Writ of Habeas Corpus
• 4.William Blackstone, Commentaries 3:129--37, 1768
• 5.Brass Crosby's Case
• 6.Massachusetts Constitution of 1780, PT. 2, CH. 6, ART. 7
• 7.New Hampshire Constitution of 1784
• 8.Records of the Federal Convention
• 9.Luther Martin, Genuine Information, 1788
• 10.Debate in Massachusetts Ratifying Convention, 26 Jan. 1788
• 11.Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 31 July 1788
• 12.St. George Tucker, Blackstone's Commentaries 1:App. 290--92, 1803
• 13.House of Representatives, Suspension of the Habeas Corpus, 26 Jan. 1807
• 14.Ex parte Bollman & Swartwout
• 15.William Rawle, A View of the Constitution of the United States 117--19 1829 (2d ed.)
• 16.Joseph Story, Commentaries on the Constitution 3:§§ 1333--36, 1833
• SEE ALSO:

Article 1, Section 9, Clause 3

No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.

• 1.Montesquieu, Spirit of Laws, bk. 12, CH. 19, 1748
• 2.William Blackstone, Commentaries 4:373--79, 1769
• 3.Delaware Declaration of Rights and Fundamental Rules, 11 Sept. 1776
• 4.Thomas Jefferson, Bill to Attaint Josiah Phillips, 28 May 1778
• 5.Alexander Hamilton, Letter from Phocion, 1--27 Jan. 1784
• 6.Alexander Hamilton, A Second Letter from Phocion, April 1784
• 7.Vermont Constitution of 1786, CH. 2, SEC. 17
• 8.Records of the Federal Convention
• 9.Oliver Ellsworth, Landholder, no. 6, 10 Dec. 1787
• 10.James Iredell, Marcus, Answers to Mr. Mason's Objections to the New Constitution, 1788
• 11.Calder v. Bull
• 12.St. George Tucker, Blackstone's Commentaries 1:App. 292--93, 1803
• 13.Thomas Jefferson to L. H. Girardin, 12 Mar. 1815
• 14.William Johnson, Note to Satterlee v. Mathewson
• 15.Joseph Story, Commentaries on the Constitution 3:§§ 1338--39, 1833
• SEE ALSO:

Article 1, Section 9, Clause 4

No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to the Census of Enumeration herein before directed to be taken.

• 1.Continental Congress, Taxation and Representation, 12 July 1776
• 2.James Madison, Bill Authorizing Amendment in Articles of Confederation, 21 June 1784
• 3.Records of the Federal Convention
• 4.William Blount, Richard D. Spaight, Hugh Williamson to Governor Caswell, 18 Sept. 1787
• 5.James McHenry, Maryland House of Delegates, 29 Nov. 1787
• 6.Alexander Hamilton, Federalist, no. 36, 226, 229--30, 8 Jan. 1788
• 7.Thomas Davies, Massachusetts Ratifying Convention, 18 Jan. 1788
• 8.James Madison, Federalist, nos. 54--58, 366--97, 12--20 Feb. 1788
• 9.George Mason, Virginia Ratifying Convention, 17 June 1788
• 10.Richard D. Spaight, North Carolina Ratifying Convention, 30 July 1788
• 11.Hugh Williamson, Cod Fisheries, House of Representatives, 3 Feb. 1792
• 12.House of Representatives, Tax on Carriages, 29 May 1794
• 13.Hylton v. United States
• 14.St. George Tucker, Blackstone's Commentaries 1:App. 292--94, 1803
• 15.Rufus King, Senate, Mar. 1819
• 16.Loughborough v. Blake
• SEE ALSO:

Article 1, Section 9, Clause 5

No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State.

• 1.Records of the Federal Convention
• 2.James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 24 Oct. 1787
• 3.James McHenry, Maryland House of Delegates, 29 Nov. 1787
• 4.Joseph Story, Commentaries on the Constitution 2:§§ 1011--12, 1833
• SEE ALSO:

Article 1, Section 9, 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.

• 1.Records of the Federal Convention
• 2.Luther Martin, Maryland House of Delegates, 29 Nov. 1787
• 3.Luther Martin, Genuine Information, 1788
• 4.James Iredell, Proposed Amendment to the Constitution, North Carolina Ratifying Convention, 1 Aug. 1788

Article 1, Section 9, 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.

• 1.Records of the Federal Convention
• 2.House of Representatives, Official Conduct of the Secretary of the Treasury, 28 Feb. 1 Mar. 1793
• 3.St. George Tucker, Blackstone's Commentaries 1:App. 362--64, 1803
• 4.Joseph Story, Commentaries on the Constitution 3:§§ 1341--43, 1833

Article 1, Section 9, 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.

• 1.William Blackstone, Commentaries 1:153--54, 261--62, 1765
• 2.Thomas Paine, Reflections on Titles, May 1775
• 3.Virginia Declaration of Rights, sec. 4, 12 June 1776
• 4.Benjamin Franklin to Sarah Bache, 26 Jan. 1784
• 5.Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 16 Apr. 1784
• 6.Records of the Federal Convention
• 7.Cato, no. 2, 10 Dec. 1787
• 8.James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 9 May 1789
• 9.James Madison, Title for the President, House of Representatives, 11 May 1789
• 10.Thomas Jefferson to William Temple Franklin, 20 Apr. 1790
• 11.William Temple Franklin to Thomas Jefferson, 27 Apr. 1790
• 12.St. George Tucker, Blackstone's Commentaries 1:App. 216--22, 295--96, 1803
• 13.Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 28 Oct. 1813
• 14.William Rawle, A View of the Constitution of the United States 119--20 1829 (2d ed.)
• 15.Joseph Story, Commentaries on the Constitution 3:§§ 1345--46, 1833
• SEE ALSO:

Article 1, Section 10, Clause 1

No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or grant any Title of Nobility.

• 1.Deering v. Parker
• 2.James Madison, Notes for Speech Opposing Paper Money, 1 Nov. 1786
• 3.Records of the Federal Convention
• 4.Luther Martin, Genuine Information, 1788
• 5.James Madison, Federalist, no. 44, 299--302, 25 Jan. 1788
• 6.Charles Pinckney, South Carolina Ratifying Convention, 20 May 1788
• 7.Edmund Randolph, Virginia Ratifying Convention, 6 June 1788
• 8.Debate in Virginia Ratifying Convention, 15 June 1788
• 9.Debate in North Carolina Ratifying Convention, 29 July 1788
• 10.Calder v. Bull
• 11.University of North Carolina v. Fox
• 12.Fletcher v. Peck
• 13.Thomas Jefferson to W. H. Torrance, 11 June 1815
• 14.Gill v. Jacobs
• 15.Farmers & Mechanics' Bank v. Smith
• 16.Sturges v. Crowninshield
• 17.Trustees of Dartmouth College v. Woodward
• 18.King v. Dedham Bank
• 19.Ogden v. Saunders
• 20.Mason v. Haile
• 21.Craig v. Missouri
• 22.James Madison to Charles J. Ingersoll, Feb. 1831
• 23.Joseph Story, Commentaries on the Constitution 3:§§ 1351, 1353--57, 1365--66, 1370--94, 1833
• SEE ALSO:

Article 1, Section 10, Clause 2

No State shall, without the Consent of the Congress, lay any Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing it's inspection Laws: and the net Produce of all Duties and Imposts, laid by any State on Imports or Exports, shall be for the Use of the Treasury of the United States; and all such Laws shall be subject to the Revision and Controul of the Congress.

• 1.Articles of Confederation, art. 6, 1 Mar. 1781
• 2.Tench Coxe to Virginia Commissioners, 13 Sept. 1786
• 3.James Madison, Preface to Debates in the, 1787
• 4.Records of the Federal Convention
• 5.Luther Martin, Genuine Information, 1788
• 6.Alexander Hamilton, Federalist, no. 32, 199--203, 2 Jan. 1788
• 7.Debate in Virginia Ratifying Convention, 15 June 1788
• 8.Gibbons v. Ogden
• 9.Brown v. Maryland
• 10.James Madison to Professor Davis, 1832
• 11.Joseph Story, Commentaries on the Constitution: 2:§§ 1013--15, 1029--30, 1049, 1833
• SEE ALSO:

Article 1, Section 10, Clause 3

No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any Duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.

• 1.Articles of Confederation, arts. 6, 9, 1 Mar. 1781
• 2.Records of the Federal Convention
• 3.Green v. Biddle
• 4.Hawkins v. Barney's Lessee
• 5.Joseph Story, Commentaries on the Constitution 3:§§ 1396--99, 1833
• SEE ALSO:

Article 2

Article 2, Section 1, Clause 1

The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years, and, together with the Vice President, chosen for the same Term, be elected, as follows

• 1.John Locke, Second Treatise, §§ 144--48, 155--68, 1689
• 2.William Blackstone, Commentaries 1:243--44, 1765
• 3.Virginia Declaration of Rights, sec. 5, 12 June 1776
• 4.Records of the Federal Convention
• 5.James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 24 Oct. 1787
• 6.Cato, no. 4, 8 Nov. 1787
• 7.An Old Whig, no. 5, Fall 1787
• 8.James Wilson, Pennsylvania Ratifying Convention, 4 Dec. 1787
• 9.James Iredell, Marcus, Answers to Mr. Mason's Objections to the New Constitution, 1788
• 10.Federal Farmer, no. 14, 17 Jan. 1788
• 11.Thomas Jefferson to Alexander Donald, 7 Feb. 1788
• 12.Alexander Hamilton, Federalist, no. 67, 452--53, 11 Mar. 1788
• 13.Alexander Hamilton, Federalist, no. 70, 471--80, 15 Mar. 1788
• 14.Alexander Hamilton, Federalist, no. 71, 481--85, 18 Mar. 1788
• 15.Alexander Hamilton, Federalist, no. 72, 468--92, 19 Mar. 1788
• 16.Debate in Virginia Ratifying Convention, 5, 10, 17--18 June 1788
• 17.John Adams to Timothy Pickering, 31 Oct. 1797
• 18.St. George Tucker, Blackstone's Commentaries 1:App. 316--25, 328--29, 1803
• 19.United States v. Burr
• 20.Thomas Jefferson to George Hay, 12 June 1807
• 21.Thomas Jefferson to George Hay, 17 June 1807
• 22.Thomas Jefferson to George Hay, 20 June 1807
• 23.Joseph Story, Commentaries on the Constitution 3:§§ 1407--10, 1413, 1429--36, 1444--46, 1833
• SEE ALSO:

Article 2, Section 1, Clauses 2 and 3

Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector.

The Electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by Ballot for two Persons, of whom one at least shall not be an Inhabitant of the same State with themselves. And they shall make a List of all the Persons voted for, and of the Number of Votes for each; which List they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the Seat of the Government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall, in the Presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the Certificates, and the Votes shall then be counted. The Person having the greatest Number of Votes shall be the President, if such Number be a Majority of the whole Number of Electors appointed; and if there be more than one who have such Majority, and have an equal Number of Votes, then the House of Representatives shall immediately chuse by Ballot one of them for President; and if no Person have a Majority, then from the five highest on the List the said House shall in like Manner chuse the President. But in chusing the President, the Votes shall be taken by States, the Representation from each State having one Vote; a quorum for this Purpose shall consist of a Member or Members from two thirds of the States, and a Majority of all the States shall be necessary to a Choice. In every Case, after the Choice of the President, the Person having the greatest Number of Votes of the Electors shall be the Vice President. But if there should remain two or more who have equal Votes, the Senate shall chuse from them by Ballot the Vice President.

• 1.William Blackstone, Commentaries 1:185--86, 1765
• 2.Records of the Federal Convention
• 3.Alexander Hamilton, Federalist, no. 68, 457--61, 12 Mar. 1788
• 4.James Madison, Observations on Jefferson's Draft of a Constitution for Virginia, 15 Oct. 1788
• 5.Alexander Hamilton to James Wilson, 25 Jan. 1789
• 6.[Selection of Electors, 1796--1832], McPherson v. Blacker
• 7.Senate, Electoral College, 23 Jan. 1800
• 8.Gouverneur Morris to President of New York Senate, 25 Dec. 1802
• 9.Rufus King, Amendment to the Constitution, Senate, 20 Mar. 1816
• 10.James Madison to George Hay, 23 Aug. 1823
• 11.Joseph Story, Commentaries on the Constitution 3:§§ 1449--52, 1454--60, 1462--67, 1833
• SEE ALSO:

Article 2, Section 1, Clause 4

The Congress may determine the Time of chusing the Electors, and the Day on which they shall give their Votes; which Day shall be the same throughout the United States.

• 1.Debate in North Carolina Ratifying Convention, 26 July 1788
• 2.Joseph Story, Commentaries on the Constitution 3:§§ 1469--70, 1833

Article 2, Section 1, Clause 5

No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.

• 1.Records of the Federal Convention
• 2.Joseph Story, Commentaries on the Constitution 3:§§ 1472--73, 1833

Article 2, Section 1, Clause 6

In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the said Office, the Same shall devolve on the Vice President, and the Congress may by Law provide for the Case of Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, both of the President and Vice President, declaring what Officer shall then act as President, and such Officer shall act accordingly, until the Disability be removed, or a President shall be elected.

• 1.Records of the Federal Convention
• 2.Federal Farmer, no. 14, 17 Jan. 1788
• 3.James Madison to Edmund Pendleton, 21 Feb. 1792
• 4.Joseph Story, Commentaries on the Constitution 3:§§ 1475--78, 1833
• SEE ALSO:

Article 2, Section 1, Clause 7

The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, a Compensation, which shall neither be encreased nor diminished during the Period for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive within that Period any other Emolument from the United States, or any of them.

• 1.Massachusetts Constitution of 1780, PT. 2, CH. 2, SEC. 1, ART. 13
• 2.Records of the Federal Convention
• 3.Alexander Hamilton, Federalist, no. 73, 492--94, 21 Mar. 1788
• 4.House of Representatives, Compensation of President, 16 July 1789

Article 2, Section 1, Clause 8

Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:--"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

• 1.Records of the Federal Convention

Last modified April 13, 2016