Doc. 30.--the Texas Ordinance of secession.
An Ordinance to dissolve the
Union between the
State of Texas and the other States under the compact styled “the
Constitution of the United States of
America.”
Sec. 1. Whereas, the
Federal Government has failed to accomplish the purposes of the compact of union between these States, in giving protection either to the persons of our people upon an exposed frontier, or to the property of our citizens; and whereas, the action of the
Northern States is violative of the compact between the States and the guarantees of the
Constitution; and, whereas, the recent developments in federal affairs make it evident that the power of the
Federal Government is sought to be made a weapon with which to strike down the interests and property of the people of
Texas and her sister slaveholding States, instead of permitting it to be, as was intended-our shield against outrage and aggression-therefore, “We, the people of the
State of Texas, by delegates in the
Convention assembled, do declare and ordain that the ordinance adopted by our Convention of delegates on the fourth (4th) day of July, A. D. 1845, and afterwards ratified by us, under which the
Republic of
Texas was admitted into the
Union with other States, and became a party to the compact styled ‘ The
Constitution of the United States of
America’ be, and is hereby repealed and annulled.”
That all the powers which, by the said compact, were delegated by
Texas to the
Federal Government are resumed.
That
Texas is of right absolved from all restraints and obligations incurred by said compact, and is a separate sovereign State, and that her citizens and people are absolved from all allegance to the
United States or the
Government thereof.
Sec. 2 The ordinance shall be submitted to the people of
Texas for their ratification or rejection, by the qualified voters, on the 23d day of February, 1861; and unless rejected by a majority of the votes cast, shall take effect and be in force on and
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after the 2d day of March, A. D. 1861.
Provided that in the representative district of
El Paso said election may be held on the 18th day of February, 1861.
Done by the people of the
State of Texas, in convention assembled, at
Austin, the 1st day of February, A. D. 1861.
