All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this Constitution, as under the Confederation.
This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.
The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.
When the Articles of Confederation ceased to be the ruling document of the land we agreed to still pay our debts.
Interesting language about treaties in the second paragraph. I’d wondered what their official legal status was since they don’t go through nearly the same amount work and review involved in amending the Constitution.
The final paragraph contains our semi-famous line about religious qualifications for public office or appointment. Pretty amazing how we’re able to milk so much out of just 20 words.
Other Constitution posts.