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Rep. Wilson's first action in Congress was introducing a resolution prohibiting fugitive slaves from being returned to [[the South]] and ordering the dismissal of any military officer that instructs troops to do such, which was enacted.<ref name=nytimesobit/> He in addition reported legislation which enfranchised blacks in [[Washington, D.C.]], as well as shepherding a bill that granted freedom to the family of black soldiers.

Rep. Wilson's first action in Congress was introducing a resolution prohibiting fugitive slaves from being returned to [[the South]] and ordering the dismissal of any military officer that instructs troops to do such, which was enacted.<ref name=nytimesobit/> He in addition reported legislation which enfranchised blacks in [[Washington, D.C.]], as well as shepherding a bill that granted freedom to the family of black soldiers.

[[File:James F. Wilson - Brady-Handy.jpg|thumb|left|200px]]

[[File:James F. Wilson - Brady-Handy.jpg|thumb|left|195px]]

Wilson in 1863 introduced a joint resolution aimed at ratifying the [[Emancipation Proclamation]].<ref name=legalisticfreesoiler/> The following year, he authored the [[13th Amendment]] which abolished [[slavery]] in the United States.<ref name=iowalegislaturebio/> Wilson also later rallied House Republican support for the Civil Rights Act of 1866, which was considered a forerunner to the [[14th Amendment]].<ref name=legalisticfreesoiler/> His speech refuting arguments calling it unconstitutional were remarked by [[James G. Blaine]] as having:

Wilson in 1863 introduced a joint resolution aimed at ratifying the [[Emancipation Proclamation]].<ref name=legalisticfreesoiler/> The following year, he authored the [[13th Amendment]] which abolished [[slavery]] in the United States.<ref name=iowalegislaturebio/> Wilson also later rallied House Republican support for the Civil Rights Act of 1866, which was considered a forerunner to the [[14th Amendment]].<ref name=legalisticfreesoiler/> His speech refuting arguments calling it unconstitutional were remarked by [[James G. Blaine]] as having:

{{cquote|...great strength and legal research.|||James Gillespie Blaine}}

{{cquote|...great strength and legal research.|||James Gillespie Blaine}}