The slave trade was outlawed by the constitution, destined to end in 1808.
The slave trade was outlawed by the constitution, destined to end in 1808.
The slave trade was protected by the Constitution which prohibited federal interference until 1808. The Constitution did not prohibit the slave trade effective in 1808, but lifted the ban on legislation to that effect.
Federal legislation to ban the slave trade was enacted on March 2, 1807 and became effective on January 1, 1808.
An Act to Prohibit the Importation of Slaves (2 Mar 1807) 2 Stat 426