From 1790 - 1825, were slaves covered under the constitution?

Question:This is for a history paper, and i was told by my teacher that i was writing it from the point of view of the south, so i would like to know if they were covered under the constitution, and why or why not?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: This is for a history paper, and i was told by my teacher that i was writing it from the point of view of the south, so i would like to know if they were covered under the constitution, and why or why not?

The Constitution nowhere uses the word slave or slavery. It does refer indirectly to slaves in saying that representation in the House of Representatives shall include representing the slaves at the rate of 3/5 of a person, and by saying that importation of those held to involuntary servitude may not be prohibited before 1808 (20 years after writing the Constitution). Both these of course implicitly recognize slavery as legal.

They were counted as 3/5 of a human being in census tallies for the purpose of establishing state representation in the House and Senate, but they had no civil rights under the Constitution.