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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: 1864-12-20 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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Session 3642: 1864-12-20 12:00:00

Reuben Fenton leaves the House of Representatives; More members join the House; H. R. 602 is reported back from the Committee on the Rebellious States with amendments; President's Annual Message is considered in the Committee of the Whole.

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H. R. 602

Shown with amendment 'None' (e902146)

(Showing state at moment e903042)
There are 20 proposed amendments related to this document on which decisions have not been taken.

A BILL

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 the States declared to be in rebellion against the United States, and within which the authority of the Constitution and laws of the United States has beefor the protection of persons and property n overthrown, shall not be pergovernment, ,mitted to resume their political relations with th ofUnited States untiloyal citizensSly, and established, repusblica4n in form, forever prohibitingth involuntary servitude within such State$1,500, and guaranteeing t5persons freedomequa rights befolaw.2. And be it further enacted, That the State of Louisiana is hereby perlmitted to resulme its political relations with the government of the United States6 under the constitution adopted by the convenrtion which rassembled on the sixth da7of Aps ofState, who areannall who have been honorably discharged therefrom, together with all loyal citizens enrolled as aforesaid, o Dom, prescribiJuly 2, 1862, shall be electors, and may vote for delegates to the convention hereinbefore authorized, in the county, parish, or district in which they reside,four, at New Orleans.

Sec. –8. And be it further enacted, That in all that portion of the United States heretofore declared to be in rebellion against the United States, and enumerated in the President's proclamation of January 1, 1863, slavery and involuntary serv9itude, otherwise than in punishment of crime whereof the accus8ed shall have been duly yconvicted, shcivil all be, and the same heLrebGy is, aboliished and prohibe1r, and the rening, or attempting to hold, in slavery or in involuntary servitude any person within said States made free bSRy this ac2t, or declared to be free by the proclamation ofé the President of the United States, dated January 1, 1863, or of any of their descendants, otherwise than in the punishment of crime whereof the accused shall have been duly convicted, is and shall be forever prohibited, any law or regulation of either of said States to the contrary notwithstanding.Sec. 13. And be it further enacted, That is the persons exercising the functions of Governor and Legislature under the rebel usurpation in any State heretofore declared to be in rebellion shall, before armed resistance to the national government is suppressed in such State, submit to the authority of the United States, and take the oath to support the Constitution of the United States, and adopt by law the third provision prescribed in the eighth section of this act, and ratify the amendment to the Constitution of the United States proposed by Congress to the Legislatures of the several States on the 31st day of January, A. D. 1865, it shall be lawful for the President of the United States to recognize the said Governor and Legislature as the lawful State government of such State, and to certify the fact to Congress for its recognition: Provided, That nothing herein contained shall operate to disturb the boundary lines of any State heretofore recognized by and now represented in the Congress of the United States.

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