Quill
  1. Overview: United States Thirteenth Amendment 1863-65
  2. Full Record: United States Thirteenth Amendment 1863-65
  3. Committee:The House of Representatives
  4. Session: 1864-01-18 12:00:00
  5. Event type: CREATE

United States Thirteenth Amendment 1863-65

An amendment to the United States Constitution to abolish slavery introduced during the American Civil War.

The House of Representatives

The House of Representatives of the Thirty-Eighth Session of Congress

The Committee Secretary's View The Committee Secretary's View

To see the full record of a committee, click on the corresponding committee on the map below.

Document introduced in:

Session 8158: 1864-01-18 12:00:00

Mr. Dawson submits a Resolution on External Interference with Local Laws and Institutions, which is laid on the table; the House refuses Mr. Davis unanimous consent to report H. R. 244; Mr. Harding submits a Resolution on the Maintenance Inviolate of Domestic Institutions, which is referred to the Committee on Rebellious States.

Document View:

Resolution on External Interference with Local Laws and Institutions

There are 0 proposed amendments related to this document on which decisions have not been taken.

Whereas a great civil war like that which now afflicts the United Suites is the most grievous of all national calamities, producing, as it does, spoliation, bloodshed, anarchy, public debt, official corruption, and private immorality, the American Government cannot rightfully wage such a war upon any portion of its people except for the sole purpose of vindicating the Constitution and laws and restoring both to their just supremacy; and whereas this House, on the 22d day of July, 1861, speaking in the name of the American people, in the face of the world, solemnly and truly declared that it was waged for no purpose of conquest or oppression, but solely to restore the Union with all the rights of the people and of the States unimpaired; and whereas in every war, especially in every war of invasion, and most particularly if it be a civil war between portions of the same country, the object of it ought to be clearly defined and the terms distinctly stated upon which hostilities will cease, and the advancing armies of the Government should carry the Constitution and laws in one hand while they hold the sword in the other, so that the invaded party may have its choice between the two: Therefore,

Resolved, That the President be required to make known, by public proclamation or otherwise, to all the country that whenever any State now in insurrection shall submit herself to the authority of the Federal Government as defined in the Constitution, all hostilities against her shall cease, and such State shall be protected from all external interference with her local laws and institutions, and her people shall be guarantied in the full enjoyment of all those rights which the Federal Constitution gave them.

Decisions yet to be taken

None

Document Timeline

Other Actions

View text build components