US Presidency
1862

In this view I recommend the adoption of the following resolution and articles amendatory to 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 articles be proposed to the legislatures ( or conventions ) of the several States as amendments to the Constitution of the United States, all or any of which articles, when ratified by three fourths of the said legislatures ( or conventions ), to be valid as part or parts of the said Constitution, viz: ART.,. Every State wherein slavery now exists which shall abolish the same therein at any time or times before the 1st day of January., A.D.