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  1. Overview: The Road to Civil War
  2. Full Record: The Road to Civil War
  3. Committee:Committee on the Territories of the House of Representatives
  4. Session: 1862-05-02 00:00:00
  5. Event type: CREATE_FROM

The Road to Civil War

Committee on the Territories of the House of Representatives

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Document introduced in:

Session 12248: 1862-05-02 00:00:00

H. R. 374 is recommitted to the Committee of Territories

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H. R. 374

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A Bill

To render freedom national and slavery sectional.

To the end that freedom may be, and remain forever, the fundamental law of the land in all places whatsoever, so far as it lies within the powers or depends upon the action of the government of the United States to make it so: Therefore—

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of American in Congress assembled, That slavery and involuntary servitude, in all cases whatsoever, (other than in the punishment of crime, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted,) shall henceforth cease, and be prohibited forever in all the following places, viz:

First. In all the Territories of the United States now existing, or hereafter to be formed or acquired in any way.

Second. In all places purchased or to be purchased by the United States, with the consent of the legislatures of the several States, for the erection of forts, magazines, arsenals, dock-yards, and other needful buildings.

Third. In all vessels on the high seas, and on all national highways, beyond the territory and jurisdiction of each of the several States from which or to which the said vessels may be going.

Fourth. In all places whatsoever where the national government is supreme, or has exclusive jurisdiction and power.

Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That any person now held or attempted to be held hereafter as a slave in any of the places above named is hereby declared to be free, and the right to freedom hereby declared may be asserted in any of the courts of the United States or of the several States, in behalf of the party, or his or her posterity, after any lapse of time, upon the principle that a party once free is always free.

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