- Event type: CREATE_FROM
The Road to Civil War
Senate Special Committee of Thirteen on the Condition of the Country
A committee formed through a resolution submitted by Mr. Powell on December 6, 1860 and adopted on December 18, 1860. The role of the committee was to examine the conflict between slaveholding and non-slaveholding States and provide solutions and concessions to avoid secession.
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Session 14174: 1860-12-22 10:00:00
Mr. Davis enters the Committee. Mr. Toombs, Mr. Crittenden, and Mr. Davis submit propositions.
Document View:
Motion to Lay Upon the Table and Print
Resolved, That the select committee of thirteen be instructed to inquire into the expediency of establishing, by constitutional provision,
1. A line running through the territory of the United States, not included within the States, making an equitable and just division of said territory, south of which line slavery shall be recognized and protected as property, by ample and full constitutional guarantees, and north of which line it shall be prohibited.
2. The repeal of all acts of Congress in regard to the restoration of fugitives from labor, and an explicit declaration in the Constitution that it is the duty of each State for itself to return fugitive slaves when demanded by the proper authority, or pay double their cash value out of the treasury of the State.
3. An amendment to the Constitution declaring that slavery shall exist in navy-yards, arsenals, &c., or not, as it may be admitted or prohibited by the States in which such navy-yards, arsenals, &c., may be situated.
4. Congress shall never interfere with slavery in the District of Columbia so long as it shall exist in the State of Maryland, nor even then without the consent of the inhabitants and compensation to the owners.
5. Congress shall not touch the representation of three fifths of the slaves, nor the inter-State trade, coastwise or inland.
6. These provisions to be unamendable like that which relates to the equality of the States in the Senate.
Decisions yet to be taken
- Motion to Lay Upon the Table and Print (introduced on 1860-12-22 10:00:00 - CREATE_FROM - e887656) [This document]
Document Timeline
- Motion to Lay Upon the Table and Print (introduced on 1860-12-22 10:00:00 - CREATE_FROM - e887656) [This document] [view current proposal at this moment]