An amendment to the United States Constitution to abolish slavery introduced during the American Civil War.
The Senate of the Thirty-Eighth Session of Congress
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S. 123 is first introduced and referred to the Committee on Slavery and Freedmen; S. Res. 16 is taken up and made the special order for Monday next; Mr. Sumner gives notice of an amendment to S. Res. 16, which is printed.
A BILL
To abolish slavery throughout all the States and Territories of the United States.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That from and after the passage of this act slavery shall not exist in any State or Territory of the United States, any law, usage, claim, or custom to the contrary notwithstanding; nor shall involuntary servitude be permitted otherwise than in punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted.