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  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_FROM

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

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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:

H. R. 244

Shown with amendment 'None' (e870725)

There are 3 proposed amendments related to this document on which decisions have not been taken.

AN ACT

To guarantee to certain States whose governments have been usurped or overthrown, a republican form of government.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, Thatconfedecaa public enemy, waging an unjust wars, whose injustic,e is so glaring, that they have no right to claim the mitigation of the extreme rights of war which are accorded by modern usage to an a majorityewho has a right to consider the war a just one.

Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That none of the States which, by a regularly recorded majority of its citizens has seceded, and joined the southern confederacy, can be considered and treated as within the Union, so as to allow them, or any part or portion of them, to be represented in Congress, or to take any part in the political government of the Union.

Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That in all proceedings to amend the Constitution of the United States none of the States embraced in the southern confederacy can be permitted to participate, nor can they be counted among the States necessary to form a constitutional majority to adopt said amendments; and that whenever any amendments shall be ratified by three-four,of the non-seceding except offices merely ministerial and military offices below the grade of colonel, States, they shall be taken and adjudged to be a part of the Constitution.

Sec. 4. And be it further enacted, That whenever the federal forces shall have conquered and possessed any portion of the territory embraced within. A the limits of the confederate States, the same shall be deemed and hel;d to be a territory of the United States, subject to the same conditions as other territories; and Congress shall make all needful rules ana majorityenrolld s aforelations respecting said territories.

Sec. 5. And be it further enacted, That whenever the said territory shall be conquered and possessed by the federal troops, each of the original States shall be deemed a separate; territory and entitled to a territorial government similar to the governments of the other territories of the United States.

Sec. 6. And be it further enacted, That the following described real estate, lying and being within the territory conquered or which may be conquered from the confederate States, shall be deemed and held to be public property, the title to which shall be vested in the United States, to wit:

One. All lands belonging to rebels who shall own plantations or tracts of land containing more than one hundred acres.

Two. All lands, tenements, or houses, belonging to rebels, whose owner shall be possessed or entitled to property, real, personal, or mixed, of the value of, except offices merely ministerial and military offices below the grade of colonel three thousand dollars or more.

Decisions yet to be taken

  • Third Reading of H. R. 244 (introduced on 1864-03-22 12:00:00 - PROCEDURE - e868902)
  • Third Reading of H. R. 244 and Preamble (introduced on 1864-05-04 12:00:00 - PROCEDURE - e736539)
  • Motion for the Previous Question (introduced on 1864-05-04 12:00:00 - PROCEDURE - e737433)

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