United States Thirteenth Amendment 1863-65

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

Senate Committee of the Whole

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Document introduced in:

Session 8873: 1864-07-01 00:00:00

H. R. 244 is debated; amendments are proposed to it.

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H. R. 244

Shown with amendment 'H. R. 244: Mr. Sumner's Amendment' (e869530)

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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, That when the inhabitants of any State have been declared in a state of insurrection against the United States by proclamation of the President, by force and virtue of the act entitled "An act further to provide for the collection of duties on imports, and for other purposes," approved July 13, 1861, they shall be, and are hereby declared to be, incapable of casting any vote for electors of President or Vice President of the United States, or of electing Senators or Representatives in Congress, until said insurrection in said State is suppressed or abandoned and said inhabitants have returned, to their obedience to the Government of the United States, nor until such return to obedience shall be declared by proclamation of the President, issued by virtue of an act of Congress, hereafter to be passed, authorizing the same.

And be it further enacted, That the proclamation of emancipation by the President of the United States on the 1st day of January, 1863, so far as the same declares that the slaves in certain designated States and portions of States thenceforward should be free, is hereby adopted and enacted as a statute of the United States, and as a rule and article for the government of the military and naval forces thereof.

Decisions yet to be taken

  • H. R. 244 (introduced on 1864-07-01 00:00:00 - CREATE_FROM - e869440) [This document]
  • Motion to Separate Amendments (introduced on 1864-07-01 00:00:00 - PROCEDURE - e869537) [This moment shown]

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