Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 1.djvu/137

 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.

No bill of attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.

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 or duty shall be laid on articles exported from any State. 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.

No money shall be drawn from the treasury, but in consequence of appropriations made by law; and a regular statement and account of receipts and expenditures of all public money shall be published from time to time.

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.

§ 10. 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, , or law impairing the obligation of contracts, or grant any title of nobility. If any act of the legislature is repugnant to the Constitution, it is,, void; and it is the duty of the court so to declare it. Vanhorne’s Lessee v. Dorrance, 2 Dall. 304. The Constitution fixed the limits to the exercise of legislative authority, and prescribes the orbit in which it must move. Whatever may be the case in other countries, yet here there can be no doubt that any act of the Legislature repugnant to the Constitution is absolutely void. Ibid., 6 Cranch, 87; 2 Cond. Rep. 308. The legislature of a state can pass no ex post facto lsw. An ex post facto law is one which renders an act punishable, which was not punishable when it was committed. Ibid. Houston v. Moore, 5 Wheat. 1; 4 Cond. Rep. 589. The invalidity of a state law, as impairing the obligation of contracts, does not depend on the extent of the change which the law effects in the contract. Green v. Biddle, 8 Wheat. 1 ; 5 Cond. Rep. 369. Briscoe v. The Commonwealth's Bank of Kentucky, 11 Peters, 257. New Jersey v. Wilson, 7 Cranch, 164; 2 Cond. Rep. 457. Terrett v. Taylor, 9 Cranch, 43; 3 Cond. Rtep. 254. Trustees of Dartmouth College v. Woodward, 4 Wheat. 518; 4 Cond. Rep. 526. The Proprietors of the Charles River Bridge v. The Proprietors of the Warren Bridge, 11 Peters, 420. Sturges v. Crowninshield, 4 Wheat. 122; 4 Cond. Rep. 409. Hawkins v. Barney's Lessee, 5 Peters, 456. Mason v. Haile, 12 Wheat. 370; 6 Cond. Rep. 535. Farmers’ and Mechanics’ Bank v. Smith, 6 Wheat. 131; 5 Cond. Rep. 35. Satterlee v. Matthewson, 2 Peters, Wilkinson v. Leland, 2 Peters, 627.

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 its 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 control of the Congress. 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.

. II. § 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: