Public debts state

Section 4. The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any... 

Most of Maine and all of the North Woods were publicly owned and part of Massachusetts when the American Revolution ended. But in an experiment in privatization unrivaled before or since, the government of Massachusetts, followed by the leaders of the new state of Maine, decided to auction off not just a portion of the lands, as other states had done, but virtually all the public lands and forests. This served the dual purposes of paying off war debt from the revolution and encouraging homesteaders to settle in the sparsely populated territory, with its immense natural resources. 

One of the pleasures of compiling this record lies in being able to make public acknowledgement of the debt that the authors and editors owe to the inspiration, guidance and active support of others. Dr. J. V. R. Kaufman contributed a never-failing enthusiasm, personal concern, and initiative in the planning and conduct of so much that is reported here. Not only the present writers, but the United States Department of the Army are especially indebted to the energy and perspicacity that he directed to explosives and military research over a period of many years. The late Professor F. P. Bowden served both as a mentor and consultant in this extension of the researches that he pioneered with such perception... 

Article xii. All bills of credit emitted, monies borrowed and debts contracted by, or under the authority of congress, before the assembling of the United States, in pursuance of the present confederation, shall be deemed and considered as a charge against the United States, for payment and satisfaction whereof the said United States, and the public faith are hereby solemnly pledged. 

I The Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 [Public Law 104-134, title III, chapter 10, Sec. 31001, par. (s). 110 Stat. 1321-373] amended the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990 to require agencies to adjust for inflation "each civil monetary penalty provided by law within the jurisdiction of the Federal agency and to publish that regulation in the Federal Register. Pursuant to that authority, the inflation-adjusted civil penalties listed in paragraphs (a) through (h) of this appendix supersede the corresponding civil penalty amounts listed in title 49, United States Code. 

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