[Reconstruction] Fessenden, W. P., et al

[drop-title] Report of the Joint Committee on Reconstruction . . . to Inquire into the Condition of the States which Formed the so-called Confederate States of America, and Report whether they or any of them are Entitled to be Represented in either House of Congress [with] Minority Report

[Washington]: [Government Printing Office], 1866. Original Wrappers. Very Good binding. Item #9682

Octavo. 28, [1], [3 (blank)] pp. As issued, stitched in self-wrappers. Light soiling and toning, principally to the outer leaves; gentle vertical crease from folding. Generally, a well-preserved copy.

This is the first report of the newly established Joint Committee on Reconstruction. In these majority and minority reports one sees the beginnings of some contentious years. Appended after the minority report is an early state of the proposed 14th Amendment which, among other things addresses citizenship and equal protection rights in the wake of the abolition of slavery with the newly passed 13th Amendment. Additionally discussed, the disenfranchisement of all ex-Confederates, proposing in the amendment that no person could hold civil or military office if they had engaged in rebellion against the United States. While later in 1866, a larger volume was issued containing reports and addresses from the Committee and its members, this very early report is uncommon in commerce.

Price: $200.00