Joint Resolutions declaratory of the opinion of Congress in regard to certain questions now agitating the Country, and of measures calculated to reconcile existing differences.

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That all attempts on the parts of the Legislatures of any of the States to obstruct or hinder the recovery and surrender of fugitives from service or labor, are in derogation of the Constitution of the United States, inconsistent with the comity and good neighborhood that should prevail among the several States, and dangerous to the peace of the Union.

Resolved, That the several States be respectfully re-quested to cause their statutes to be revised, with a view to ascertain if any of them are in conflict with or tend to embarrass or hinder the execution of the laws of the United States, made in pursuance of the second section of the fourth article of the Constitution of the United States for the delivery up of persons held to labor by the laws of any State and escaping therefrom; and the Senate and House of Representatives earnestly request that all enactments having such tendency be forthwith repealed, as required by a just sense of constitutional obligations, and by a due regard for the peace of the Republic and the President of the United States is requested to communicate these reso-luttions to the Governors of the several States, with a re-quest that they will lay the same before the Legislatures thereof respectively.

Resolved, That we recognize slavery as now existing in fifteen of the United States by the usages and laws of those States; and we recognize no authority, legally or other-wise, outside of a State where it so exists, to interfere with slaves or slavery in such States, in disregard of the rights of their owners or the peace of Society.

Resolved, That we recognize the justice and propriety of a faithful execution of the Constitution, and laws made in pursuance thereof, on the subject of fugitive slaves, or fu-gitives from service or labor, and discountenance all mobs or hindrances to the execution of such laws, and that citi-zens of each State shall be entitled to all the privileges and immunities of citizens in the several States.

Resolved, That we recognize no such conflicting elements in its composition, or sufficient cause from any source, for a dissolution of this Government; that we were not sent here to destroy, but to sustain and harmonize the institu-tions of the country, and to see that equal justice is done to all parts of the same; and finally, to perpetuate its ex-istence on terns of equality and justice to all the States.

Resolved, That a faithful observance, on the part of all the States, of all their constitutional obligations to each other and to the Federal Government, is essential to the peace of the country.

Resolved, That it is the duty of the Federal Government to enforce the Federal laws, protect the Federal property, and preserve the Union of these States.

Resolved, That each State be requested to revise its statutes, and, if necessary, so to amend the same as to secure, without legislation by Congress, to citizens of other States traveling therein, the same protection as citizens of such State enjoy; and also to protect the citizens of other States traveling or sojourning therein against popular violence or illegal summary punishment, without trial in due form of law, for imputed crimes.

Resolved, That each State be also respectfully requested to enact such laws as will prevent and punish any attempt whatever in such State to recognize or set on foot the law-less invasion of any other State or Territory.

Resolved, That the President be requested to transmit copies of the foregoing resolutions to the Governors of the several States, with a request that they be communicated to their respective Legislatures.

• H. Res. 64 (introduced on 1861-02-28 12:00:00 - CREATE_FROM - e851311) [This document]

• H. Res. 64 (introduced on 1861-02-28 12:00:00 - CREATE_FROM - e851311) [This document] [view current proposal at this moment]
  • Motion to Read H. Res. 64 (introduced on 1861-03-01 12:00:00 - PROCEDURE - e858888) [view current proposal at this moment]
    • None (introduced on 1861-03-01 12:00:00 - ADOPT_PROPOSAL - e858889) [view current proposal at this moment]
  • Second Reading of H. Res. 64 (introduced on 1861-03-01 12:00:00 - PROCEDURE - e858891) [view current proposal at this moment]
    • None (introduced on 1861-03-01 12:00:00 - REJECT_PROPOSAL - e858892) [view current proposal at this moment]
    • None (introduced on 1861-03-01 12:00:00 - DEBATE_MOTION - e858893) [view current proposal at this moment]
    • None (introduced on 1861-03-01 12:00:00 - REJECT_PROPOSAL - e858894) [view current proposal at this moment]