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Originally Posted by Radar
Nothing else matters in a Constitutional debate other than the words in the Constitution.
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Quote:
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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.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Radar
The migration and importation of slaves does not apply to the immigration of free people. The clause you are mentioning refers to slaves and can only refer to slaves as it is discussing an import tax or duty on goods being imported. There is only one kind of person that is also considered a commodity or good and that is a slave.
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The tax or duty is specific to importation, but the clause also refers to migration, separately.