Slavery Clauses in the U.S. Constitution - Milestone Documents

Slavery Clauses in the U.S. Constitution

( 1787 ) Commentary by Paul Finkelman, Albany Law School

Essential Quotes

“Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States … according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons … three fifths of all other Persons.”

“No Person held to Service or Labour in one State, under the Laws thereof, escaping into another, shall in Consequence of any Law or Regulation therein, be discharged from such Service or Labour, but shall be delivered up on Claim of the Party to whom such Service or Labour may be due.”

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The U.S. Constitution (National Archives and Records Administration)

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