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Democracy in America — Volume 2

Alexis de Tocqueville · 1840 (2nd part; published in 1840)

passage 267 of 272 · Book Two: Influence Of Democracy On Progress Of Opinion In the United States.

in brief
It sets strict standards for convicting treason—two witnesses to the same overt act or confession in open court—and limits the effects of treason attainder.

Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. A person charged in any State with Treason, Felony, or other Crime, who shall flee from Justice, and be found in another State, shall on Demand of the executive Authority of the State from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the State having Jurisdiction of the Crime.

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.

States, or Parts of States, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the Congress.

The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the United States, or of any particular State.

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topics: courts, trials, and pleading · crime and punishment · treason and sedition

Democracy in America — Volume 2 · Alexis de Tocqueville · 1840