An Ordinance for the Abolition of Slavery in the State of Missouri

On Monday, January 9, 1865, the Missouri State Convention was called to order, and a prayer was offered by Rev. Dr. Nelson. Mr. Owens, Chairman of the Committee on Rules, presented his report.

RULES FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE CONVENTION TO REVISE AND ALTER THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI.

Journal of the Missouri State Convention – The Missouri Constitutional Convention of 1865

Following that, motions and discussions led to the establishment of fifty-two Rules of Order for the Convention. Next, the Sergeant-at-Arms was instructed to procure, during the session of the Convention, for each member, one copy of the Daily St. Louis Democrat. But that was amended to allow each member five daily papers the members to make their own selection. Apparently, the members were concerned about what social media had to say about the Convention.

Finally, they would come to the most important business of the day. Mr. D’Oench offered a substitution to a motion previously made by Mr. Owens, which read…

AN ORDINANCE FOR THE ABOLITION OF SLAVERY IN THE STATE OF MISSOURI

Be it ordained by the People of the State of Missouri, in Convention assembled, as follows: Slavery and involuntary servitude, except for Crime, are hereby abolished in this State; and all negroes and mulattoes now held as slaves in Missouri, shall become absolutely free from and after the passage of this ordinance.

Next, Mr. Strong offered another version of an ordinance of emancipation. After much discussion and deliberation, Mr. Drake offered the following resolution: Resolved, that the several ordinances presented with all resolutions in relation thereto, be postponed till tomorrow at 10 o’clock. His resolution passed unanimously.

After the establishment of eleven other committees concerning other business that this Convention had been called to address, the Convention adjourned until tomorrow at 10 o’clock.