tion 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 guaranties 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 prosperity of the people of Texas and her sister slave-holding 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 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States, and became a party to the compact styled 'The Constitution of the United States of America,' be-and hereby is repealed and annulled.”

That all the powers which, by the 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. 2d. This 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 after the second 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, this first day of February, A. D., 1861.

The act of the Convention was hailed with the liveliest demonstrations of popular joy. Bells were rung, salutes were fired, and the following night the Capitol was illuminated. After the passage of the ordinance, both the Convention and the Legislature adjourned. On the 9th of February Governor Houston issued his proclamation for an election to be held, in accordance with the ordinance of the Convention, on the 23d of February; the people to vote for or against secession. At the election 39,415 voted for, and 13,841 against secession.

A

The Convention re-assembled on the 4th of March. committee was sent to hold a conference with the Governor, and to announce to him, that Texas was now "a free, sovereign and independent State." The Governor protested

against any further action on the part of the Convention; and contended that, having passed the ordinance of secession and submitted it to the people, their functions ceased.* The Convention, however, continued in session, and on the same. day passed the following ordinance, uniting Texas with the new Confederation which had been formed at Montgomery:

An Ordinance in relation to a Union of the State of Texas with the Confederate States of America.

WHEREAS, the Convention of this State has received information that the Congress of the Confederate States of America, now in session at the city of Montgomery, in the State of Alabama, has adopted a Constitution for a Provisional Government, which Constitution is modeled on that of the United States of America; and whereas, as a seceding State, it becomes expedient and proper, that Texas should join said Confederacy, and share its destinies; and whereas, a delegation consisting of seven members has already been elected by the Convention to the Congress of the Confederacy aforesaid, therefore,

The people of Texas in Convention assembled, have ordained and declared, and do hereby ordain and declare, that the delegation aforesaid to the Congress aforesaid, be and they are hereby instructed, and we do accordingly instruct them, in behalf of the State, and as representing its sovereign authority, to apply for the admission of this State into said Confederacy, and to that and for that purpose, to give in the adhesion of Texas to the Provisional Constitution of said Confederate States; and which said Constitution this Convention hereby approves, ratifies, and accepts.

SEC. 2. Be it further ordained, That the delegation appointed by this Convention to the Congress of the Confederate States be, and they are

*Up to the time of secession, there had been but two Presidents of the Senate elected: Edward Burleson, of the first Legislature, and Jesse Grimes, of the succeeding Legislatures, up to the eighth. H. P. Bee was Secretary of the first Senate; N. C. Raymond, of the second and third; W. D. Miller, of the fourth; James F. Johnson, of the fifth and sixth; R. T. Browning, of the seventh, and James F. Johnson, of the eighth.

W. E. Crump was Speaker of the first Legislature; J. W. Henderson, of the second; C. C. Keenan, of the third; D. C. Dickson, of the fourth; H. R. Runnels, of the fifth; H. P. Bee, of the sixth; Wm. S. Taylor, of the seventh, and M. D. K. Taylor, of the eighth. James H. Raymond was Chief Clerk of the House of the first Legislature; B. F. Hill, of the four succeeding Legislatures (with J. W. Hampton for the extra session of the third Legislature); E. D. M'Kinney, of the sixth; H. H. Haynie, of the seventh, and Wm. Leigh Chambers of the eighth.

nereby authorized to act in said Congress, as the duly accredited representatives of the State of Texas. Provided, however, that any permanent Constitution which may be formed by said Congress, shall not become obligatory on this State, until approved in such way as shall be determined

upon.

SEC. 3. Be it further ordained, That the President of the Convention immediately transmit, through such channel as he may select, a copy or copies of this Ordinance, to the Congress at Montgomery, and the members of Congress from this State.

CHAPTER III.

THE WAR-CLARK'S ADMINISTRATION—SURRENDER OF UNITED STATES PROPERTY AT SAN ANTONIO AND IN THE SOUTH-WEST-INDIANS HOSTILE-WARLIKE PREPARATIONS ON A LARGE SCALE-THE BLOCKADE-LUBBOCK'S ADMINISTRATION-STATE PROSPEROUS-ARIZONA EXPEDITION-FEDERALS TAKE POSSESSION OF GALVESTONMAGRUDER IN COMMAND IN TEXAS-RECAPTURE OF GALVESTON BY THE CONFED. ERATES-FEDERALS REPULSED AT SABINE PASS-CONSCRIPT LAW-MARTIAL LAW"COTTON ORDERS "-HOUSTON ON MARTIAL LAW-MURRAH'S ADMINISTRATION— FINE CROPS-THE FEDERALS IN THE SOUTH-WEST-FIGHTING IN LOUISIANA-“COTTON ORDERS" AGAIN-MURRAH VS. MAGRUDER-CONFEDERATE ARMIES DISBAND.

ON the 14th of March, an ordinance passed the Convention

requiring all State officers to take the oath of loyalty to the Constitution promulgated by the Convention at Montgomery. Governor Houston and Mr. Cave, Secretary of State, declining to take said oath, their offices were declared vacant, and Mr. Ed. Clark, the Lieutenant-Governor, was duly installed Governor. The other public officers taking the required oath were continued in office. Agreeably to adjournment, the Legislature reassembled March 18th. Ex-Governor Houston sent a message to that body, protesting against his removal and the usurpation of the functions of his office by Governor Clark.

On the 20th of January, 1860, Governor Houston sent General J. M. Smith on a confidential mission to General Twiggs, at San Antonio, inquiring what disposition would be made of the public property belonging to the United States in the department? To this inquiry Gen. Twiggs replied: "I am without instructions from Washington, in regard to the disposition of the public property here, or of the troops, in the event of the State's seceding. After secession, if the Executive of the State makes a demand on the Commander of the Department, he will receive an answer."