Wilmot Proviso

Wilmot Proviso, an amendment to a bill to appropriate $2,000,000 for the purchase of Mexican territory, moved in the United States congress in 1846 by Mr David Wilmot, to the effect 'that neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall ever exist in any part of said territory.' The proviso passed the house, but was rejected by the senate, the Freesoil movement being the result (see FREESOILERS).