Wilmot Proviso

in American history, a proposed restriction upon the extension of slavery. August 8, 1846, President Polk sent a special message to Congress requesting an appropriation for "the adjustment of a boundary with Mexico," the purpose being to purchase territory not acquired with Texas. A bill appropriating $2,000,000 was introduced in the House. Daniel Wilmot, a Pennsylvania Democrat, offered an amendment, since known as the "Wilmot Proviso," providing that "neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall ever exist in any part of said territory except for crime whereof the party shall first be duly convicted." The bill as amended passed the House, but it was stopped in the Senate.

At the next session of Congress, a bill was proposed appropriating $3,000,000. Wilmot offered his amendment a second time, but after an angry debate the bill was passed without the amendment. The object of the proviso was not attained until 1862 when Congress passed an act prohibiting slavery "in any of the territories of the United States now existing or which may at any time hereafter be acquired."