Article 1, Section 10
Short Version -- This is a summary of the important issues covered in this section of the U.S. Constitution.
- The states are expressly forbidden to enter into any treaty or alliance
- The states are expressly forbidden to grant letters of marquee
- The states are expressly forbidden to coin money
- The states are expressly forbidden to give out bills of credit
- The states are expressly forbidden to pass any bill of attainder, ex post facto law, or law impairing contractual obligations
- The states are expressly forbidden to grant titles of nobility
- Without the consent of Congress, states cannot place duties on imports or exports except for small inspection fees
- Without the consent of Congress, states cannot keep troops or ships of war in peacetime
- Without the consent of Congress, states cannot make treaties
- Without the consent of Congress, states cannot make war unless invaded
Long Version -- This is the text of the Actual U.S. Constitution.
No state shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or confederation; grant letters of marque and reprisal; coin money; emit bills of credit; make anything 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.
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.
