The Wilmot Proviso (#28)

Did you know that . . 

 

The text of the Wilmot Proviso was based on Jefferson text for the original Northwest Ordinance (Ordinance of 1784). It was later revised to become the Fourteenth Amendment.

 

 

The text of the Proviso was written by Ohio Representative Judge Jacob Brinkerhoff and not David Wilmot, for whom the Proviso is named. A popular Pennsylvania Representative, Wilmot was tapped to present the amendment because abolitionist realized he stood the best chance to be recognised by the chair.

 

 

Despite being introduced and reintroduced multiple times, the Wilmot Proviso failed each time and it was later removed from Polks’ appropriation bill.