Missouri Enabling Act

March 6, 1820

An Act to authorize the people of the Missouri territory to form a constitution and state government, and for the admission of such state into the union on an equal footing with the original states, and to prohibit slavery in certain territories.

Sec. 8

That in all the territory ceded by France to the United States, under the name of Louisiana, which lies north of thirty-six degrees and thirty minutes north latitude, not included within the limits of the state, contemplated by this act, slavery and involuntary servitude, otherwise than in the punishment of crimes, whereof the parties shall have been duly convicted, shall be, and is hereby forever prohibited: Provided always, That any person escaping into the same, from whom labour or service is lawfully claimed, in any state or territory of the United States, such fugitive may be lawfully reclaimed and conveyed to the person claiming his or her labour or service as aforesaid.

THE CONSTITUTION OF MISSOURI – July 19 1820

Sec. 26

The general assembly shall not have powers to pass laws-

1 For the emancipation of slaves without the concern of their owners; or without paying them, before such emancipation, a full equivalent for slaves so emancipated; …