article 1 section 9 of the constitution of the US!! need help understanding it?

Question

what are they saying in article 1 section 9 of the constitution of the US? I read it like 5 times and i don't get it can anyone just tell me what the saying in it in a simple way. Plz help me even if you only understand some of it.

Answer 1

See the first link below for the ordering of the paragraphs:

limits on Congress's powers:

Paragraph 1) Importation of slaves into the United States is banned; this is also the earliest day under the United States Constitution that an amendment could be made restricting slavery.

Paragraph 2) people cannot be jailed withou just cause, unless unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion the public safety may require it.

Paragraph 3) no law shall be passed that indicates punishment without benefit of trial or any law that is retroactive so that people are now guilty, when it wasn't against the law previously.

Paragraph 4) a tax of uniform or fixed amount of tax or a tax paid directly to the federal government on taxpayers (as opposed to taxpayers property or possessions) cannot be made unless in proportion to census (number of people) per state or other enumeration indicated in the constitution.

Paragraph 5) anything exported from one state to another state could not be taxed by the federal government just for taking it from state to state.

Paragraph 6) the federal government cannot allow one state to import items while not allowing others to do the same. Essentially, this indicates all water ways are free to commerce. A state could not require a vessel to dock, to be inspected or to pay fees just because a water way goes through the state.

Paragraph 7) All funds belonging to the Treasury may not be withdrawn except in accordance with law. Modern practice is that Congress annually passes a number of appropriation bills authorizing the expenditure of public money. The Constitution requires that a regular statement of such expenditures be published.

Paragraph 8) Congress may not grant any title of nobility. No civil officer may, without the consent of Congress, accept any wages or perquisites, office or title from a foreign ruler or state

that's the best I can make out of it.

Answer 2

It limits the powers of Congress:


Although the international slave trade was allowed until 1808, Congress prohibited it on January 1, 1808, the first day it was permitted to do so. Until 1808, however, the Constitution permitted Congress to levy a maximum duty of ten dollars per slave imported into the United States.

The Constitution further provides that the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus may not be suspended except during rebellion or invasion. In Ex parte Milligan (1866), the Supreme Court held that the privilege of the writ could not be suspended while the civilian courts remained operational. Congress may not pass any bill of attainder or ex post facto law.

Section Nine reiterates the provision from Section Two that direct taxes must be apportioned on the basis of state populations. Furthermore, no tax may be imposed on exports from any state. Congress may not, by revenue or commerce legislation, give preference to ports of one state over those of another; neither may it require ships from one state to pay duties in another. All funds belonging to the Treasury may not be withdrawn except in accordance with law. Modern practice is that Congress annually passes a number of appropriation bills authorizing the expenditure of public money. The Constitution requires that a regular statement of such expenditures be published.

A bill of attainder is a law in which a person is immediately convicted without trial. An ex post facto law applies to something that took place before the law was passed, or was not illegal at the time it took place.

Congress may not grant any title of nobility. No civil officer may, without the consent of Congress, accept any emolument, office or title from a foreign ruler or state.