The Select Committee on Slavery and Freedmen was established on January 13, 1864 to deal with issues relating to the subjects listed in its name: slavery and freedmen. The committee was created on a resolution by Charles Sumner, "Resolved, That a select committee of seven be appointed by the chair to take into consideration all propositions and papers concerning slavery and the treatment of freedmen, with leave to report by bill or otherwise." The committee reported on such bills as to abolish slavery throughout all the states and territories, to establish of a freedmen's bureau, to repeal fugitive slave laws, and to guarantee freedmen equality before the law in the courts. The Select Committee on Slavery and Freedmen existed only in the 38th Congress.