left|thumb|Representative James Mitchell Ashley proposed an amendment abolishing slavery in 1863. In the final years of the Civil War, Union lawmakers debated various proposals for Reconstruction.Vorenberg, Final Freedom (2001), p. 48–51. Some of these called for a constitutional amendment to abolish slavery nationally and permanently. On December 14, 1863, a bill proposing such an amendment was introduced by Representative James Mitchell Ashley of Ohio.Leonard L. Richards, Who Freed the Slaves?: The Fight over the Thirteenth Amendment (2015) excerpt Representative James F. Wilson of Iowa soon followed with a similar proposal. On January 11, 1864, Senator John B. Henderson of Missouri submitted a joint resolution for a constitutional amendment abolishing slavery. The Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Lyman Trumbull of Illinois, became involved in merging different proposals for an amendment.
left|thumb|representative james mitchell ashley proposed an amendment abolishing slavery in 1863 in the final years of the civil war union lawmakers debated various proposals for reconstructionvorenberg final freedom (2001) p 48–51 some of these called for a constitutional amendment to abolish slavery nationally and permanently on december 14 1863 a bill proposing such an amendment was introduced by representative james mitchell ashley of ohioleonard l richards who freed the slaves the fight over the thirteenth amendment (2015) excerpt representative james f wilson of iowa soon followed with a similar proposal on january 11 1864 senator john b henderson of missouri submitted a joint resolution for a constitutional amendment abolishing slavery the senate judiciary committee chaired by lyman trumbull of illinois became involved in merging different proposals for an amendment