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Seward, William Henry (1801-1872) [True copy of the Thirteenth Amendment]

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03264.02 Author/Creator: Seward, William Henry (1801-1872) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Document Date: 1 February 1865 Pagination: 2 p. ; 32.2 x 20.2 cm Order a Copy

Accompanied by Seward's certification (GLC03264.01) confirming this as a true copy of the Thirteenth Amendment: "Section 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction. Section 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation." Approved 1 February 1865.

The Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, passed by the Senate April 1864, by the House January 1865, and ratified December 1865, abolished slavery as a legal institution.

A Resolution

Submitting to the legislatures of the several States a proposition to amend the Constitution of the United States.

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, (two-thirds of both houses concurring,) That the following article be proposed to the legislatures of the several States as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which, when ratified by three-fourths of said legislatures, shall be valid, to all intents and purposes, as a part of the said Constitution, namely:

Article XIII.

Section 1. Neither slavery nor [2] involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.

Section 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

Approved, February 1, 1865.

[docket]
attested Copy of the
Joint Resolution of Congress
proposing amendment
to Constitution of the U.S.
approved 1st Febry 1865
filed July 6, 1865,

Seward, William Henry, 1801-1872

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