The first bill supporting a constitutional amendment abolishing slavery (ultimately the Thirteenth Amendment) was introduced in the House of Representatives today by James Mitchell Ashley of Ohio. The final text as adopted on December 6, 1865 is presented here:
XIII
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 the power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
