Ordinance of Secession

Ordinance of Secession of Louisiana

AN ORDINANCE to dissolve the union between the State of Louisiana and other States united with her under the compact entitled "The Constitution of the United States of America."

We, the people of the State of Louisiana, in convention assembled, do declare and ordain, and it is hereby declared and ordained, That the ordinance passed by us in convention on the 22d day of November, in the year eighteen hundred and eleven, whereby the Constitution of the United States of America and the amendments of the said Constitution were adopted, and all laws and ordinances by which the State of Louisiana became a member of the Federal Union, be, and the same are hereby, repealed and abrogated; and that the union now subsisting between Louisiana and other States under the name of "The United States of America" is hereby dissolved.

We do further declare and ordain, That the State of Louisiana hereby resumes all rights and powers heretofore delegated to the Government of the United States of America; that her citizens are absolved from all allegiance to said Government; and that she is in full possession and exercise of all those rights of sovereignty which appertain to a free and independent State.

We do further declare and ordain, That all rights acquired and vested under the Constitution of the United States, or any act of Congress, or treaty, or under any law of this State, and not incompatible with this ordinance, shall remain in force and have the same effect as if this ordinance had not been passed.

Adopted in convention at Baton Rouge this 26th day of January, 1861.

Article in harpers weekly dated feb 9 1861:

THE SECESSION OF LOUISIANA.

A telegram, dated Baton Rouge, January 26, states : "The delay ordinance, moved to be substituted for the secession ordinance reported by the Committee of Fifteen, was voted down yesterday by an immense majority. Commissioners Manning, of South Carolina, and Winston, of Alabama, made eloquent addresses in favor of immediate secession. There was an animated debate last night on the resolution for submitting the secession ordinance for ratification to the people. The advocates of immediate secession abstained from all debate. There was no extreme opposition to the ordinance.

"The vote on submitting the ordinance to the people was taken this morning—ayes 45, nays 84. John Perkins addressed the Convention on the passage of the secession ordinance. The debate closed, and a vote was ordered. The galleries and lobbies were intensely crowded, and a deathlike silence prevailed. On the call of the roll many members were in tears. The Clerk announced the vote—ayes 113, nays 17—and the President declared Louisiana a free and sovereign republic.

"Captain Allen then entered the Convention with a Pelican flag, accompanied by Governor Moore and staff, and put the flag in the hands of the President, amidst tremendous excitement. A solemn prayer was then offered, and a hundred guns were fired. The Convention adjourned to meet in New Orleans on the 29th inst.

'I Before the Convention adjourned the resolution accompanying the ordinance, declaring the right of free navigation of the Mississippi River and tributaries to all friendly States, and the right of egress and ingress to boats of the Mississippi by all friendly States and Powers, passed unanimously. A gold pen was given each member with which to sign the ordinance of secession.

" The State Convention has adjourned, to reassemble in New Orleans."