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Letter from John Birney, New York, [New York], to a member of Congress, 1865 Dec[ember] 26th

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Summary

John Birney, the supposed author of this copy of a letter to an unnamed member of Congress, writes this "in reference to the proposed amendment of the Constitution, enfranchising the coloured men." He then discusses post-war Reconstruction and his belief that no Southern state will be readmitted to the Union "unless they have fully complied with the terms laid down by the President & formally decided by the President & the two Houses." He proposes the constituional amendment to enfranchise African-American men "in the course of twenty five years", repeating his views that the political parties should "cordially cooperate as this is a great patriotic work", and suggesting a "general amnesty to the ex-rebels" to help gain support for the amendment. He also suggests expanding the Freedmen's Bureau to help aid the freedmen, stating that its officers "should be carefully selected on account of their patriotism & faithfulness & ability."

Courtesy of Boston Public Library

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anti slavery collection boston public library rare books department united states 13 th amendment abolitionists united states 19th century correspondence antislavery movements history freedmen social reformers reconstruction u s history 1865 1877 united states bureau of refugees freedmen and abandoned lands johnson andrew 1808 1875 letters correspondence manuscripts english john birney high resolution slavery
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Date

1865
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Boston Public Library
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https://ark.digitalcommonwealth.org/
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Public Domain

label_outline Explore John Birney, United States 13 Th Amendment, Johnson Andrew 1808 1875

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anti slavery collection boston public library rare books department united states 13 th amendment abolitionists united states 19th century correspondence antislavery movements history freedmen social reformers reconstruction u s history 1865 1877 united states bureau of refugees freedmen and abandoned lands johnson andrew 1808 1875 letters correspondence manuscripts english john birney high resolution slavery