What is the committee of thirteen?

The Committee of Thirteen was a group formed in the United States Congress in 1861, tasked with finding a compromise to avert the impending Civil War. Comprised of senators and representatives from both the North and South, it aimed to address the contentious issues surrounding slavery and states' rights. Ultimately, their efforts failed to produce a lasting solution, contributing to the outbreak of the Civil War later that year. The committee is often remembered as a reflection of the deep divisions within the country at that time.