The Laws of Texas, 1822-1897 Volume 4 Page: 1,519

                                
ORDINANCES
PASSED BY THE
STATE CONVENTION.
No. 1.-AN ORDINANCE
To dissolve the union between the State of Texas and the other
States, united under the compact styled "The Constitution of
the United States of America."
Whereas, the Federal Government has failed to accomplish the
purposes of the compact of union between the 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 of the Union 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 interest and prosperity
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,
Section 1. We, the People of the State of Texas, by delegates in
Convention assembled, Do declare and ordain, that the ordinance
adopted by our convention of delegates, on the 4th day of July, A.
D. 1845, and afterwards ratified by us, under which the Republic of
Texas was admitted into 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America," be, and is hereby repealed and annulled; that all the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 said compact were delegated by Texas to the
Federal Government, are revoked and 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 allegiance to the United States, or the
Government thereof.
Sec. 2. This ordinance shall be submitted to the people of Texas
for their ratification or rejection by the qualified voters thereof, 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 after the 2d
(1519)