Exclusion of Slavery in Future States

The COMMITTEE consisting of, &c. to whom was referred a MOTION of Mr. King, for the Exclusion of involuntary Servitude in the States described in the Resolve of Congress of the 23d Day of April, 1784, submit the following RESOLVE.

RESOLVED, That after the year 1800 of the Christian aera, there shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in any of the States described in the resolve of Congress of the 23rd day of April, 1784, otherwise than in punishment of crimes whereof the party shall have been personally guilty. And that this regulation shall be an article of compact, and remain a fundamental principle of the constitutions between the thirteen original states, and each of the states described in the said resolve of Congress of the 23d day of April, 1784; any implication or construction of the said resolve to the contrary notwithstanding. Provided always, that upon the escape of any person into any of the states described in the said resolve of Congress of the 23d day of April, 1784, from whom labor or service is lawfully claimed in any one of the thirteen original states, such fugitive may be lawfully reclaimed and carried back to the person claiming his labor or service as aforesaid, this resolve notwithstanding.

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