Studies in Civics Part 64

Be it resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress a.s.sembled, That the state of Tennessee is hereby restored to her former proper, practical relations to the Union, and is again ent.i.tled to be represented by senators and representatives in Congress.

Approved, July 24,1866.

THE MECKLENBURGH RESOLUTIONS--1775.

I. Resolved, That whosoever directly or indirectly abets, or in any way, form, or manner countenances the unchartered and dangerous invasion of our rights, as claimed by Great Britain, is an enemy to this country, to America, and to the inherent and inalienable rights of man.

II. Resolved, That we do hereby declare ourselves a free and independent people; are, and of right ought to be a sovereign and self-governing a.s.sociation, under the control of no power, other than that of our G.o.d and the general government of the congress: To the maintainance of which independence we solemnly pledge to each other our mutual co-operation, our lives, our fortunes, and our most sacred honor.

III. Resolved, That as we acknowledge the existence and control of no law or legal officer, civil or military, within this county, we do hereby ordain and adopt as a rule of life, all, each, and every one of our former laws, wherein, nevertheless, the crown of Great Britain never can be considered as holding rights, privileges, or authorities therein.

IV. Resolved, That all, each, and every military officer in this county is hereby reinstated in his former command and authority, he acting conformably to their regulations, and that every member present of this delegation, shall henceforth be a civil officer, viz.; a justice of the peace, in the character of a committee man, to issue process, hear and determine all matters of controversy, according to said adopted laws, and to preserve peace, union, and harmony in said county, to use every exertion to spread the love of country and fire of freedom throughout America, until a more general and organized government be established in this province.

ABRAHAM ALEXANDER, Chairman.

JOHN MCKNITT ALEXANDER, Secretary.

NOTE.--This declaration of independence (with a supplementary set of resolutions establishing a form of government) was adopted by a convention of delegates from different sections of Mecklenburgh county, which a.s.sembled at Charlotte, May 20, 1775.

AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE SETTLERS AT NEW PLYMOUTH.

In the name of G.o.d, amen. We, whose names are underwritten, the loyal subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord King James, by the grace of G.o.d, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c.

Having undertaken for the glory of G.o.d, and advancement of the Christian faith, and the honour of our king and country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia;

Do by these presents, solemnly and mutually, in the presence of G.o.d and one another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil body politick, for our better ordering and preservation, and furtherance of the ends aforesaid. And by virtue hereof do enact, const.i.tute and frame, such just and equal laws, ordinances, acts, const.i.tutions, and officers, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the colony, unto which we promise all due submission and obedience.

In witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names at Cape Cod the eleventh of November, in the reign of our Sovereign Lord King James, of England, France, and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland, the fifty-fourth, anno domini, 1620.

John Carver, Samuel Fuller, Edward Tilly, William Bradford, Christopher Martin, John Tilly, Edward Winslow, William Mullins, Francis Cooke, William Brewster, William White, Thomas Rogers, Isaac Allerton, Richard Warren, Thomas Tinker, Miles Standish, John Howland, John Ridgdale, John Alden, Steven Hopkins, Edward Fuller, John Turner, Digery Priest, Richard Clark, Francis Eaton, Thomas Williams, Richard Gardiner, James Chilton, Gilbert Winslow, John Allerton, John Craxton, Edmund Margesson, Thomas English, John Billington, Peter Brown, Edward Doten, Joses Fletcher, Richard Bitteridge, Edward Liester, John Goodman, George Soule.

NOTE.--The "Pilgrims" who landed at Plymouth had procured before leaving Europe a grant of land from the London or South Virginia Company, but had subsequently decided to establish a colony in New England. Before leaving the ship which had brought them across the Atlantic they drew up this compact. They obtained several successive letters patent from the Plymouth Company, but none of them were confirmed by the crown, and in 1691 the Plymouth colony was annexed to Ma.s.sachusetts Bay.

TEXAS DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE--1836.

Whereas, General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna and other military chieftains have, by force of arms, overthrown the federal inst.i.tutions of Mexico, and dissolved the social compact which existed between Texas and the other members of the Mexican Confederacy,--Now, the good people of Texas, availing themselves of their natural rights, solemnly declare:

1st. That they have taken up arms in defense of their rights and liberties, which were threatened by the encroachments of military despots, and in defense of the republican principles of the federal const.i.tution of Mexico of eighteen hundred and twenty-four.

2nd. That Texas is no longer, morally or civilly, bound by the compact of union; yet, stimulated by the generosity and sympathy common to a free people, they offer their support and a.s.sistance to such of the members of the Mexican Confederacy as will take up arms against military despotism.

3d. That they do not acknowledge that the present authorities of the nominal Mexican Republic have the right to govern within the limits of Texas.

5th. That they hold it to be their right, during the disorganization of the federal system and the reign of despotism, to withdraw from the union, to establish an independent government, or to adopt such measures as they may deem best calculated to protect their rights and liberties, but that they will continue faithful to the Mexican government so long as that nation is governed by the const.i.tution and laws that were formed for the government of the political a.s.sociation.

6th. That Texas is responsible for the expenses of her armies now in the field.

7th. That the public faith of Texas is pledged for the payment of any debts contracted by her agents.

8th. That she will reward by donations in land, all who volunteer their services in her present struggle, and receive them as citizens.

These declarations we solemnly avow to the world, and call G.o.d to witness their truth and sincerity; and invoke defeat and disgrace upon our heads, should, we prove guilty of duplicity.

RICHARD ELLIS, President.

A.H.S. KIMBLE, Secretary.

TREATY WITH GREAT BRITAIN--1846.

The United States of America and Her Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, deeming it to be desirable for the future welfare of both countries that the state of doubt and uncertainty which has. .h.i.therto prevailed respecting the sovereignty and government of the territory on the northwest coast of America, lying westward of the Rocky or Stony Mountains, should be finally terminated by an amicable compromise of the rights mutually a.s.serted by the two parties over the said territory, have respectively named plenipotentaries to treat and agree concerning the terms of such settlement, that is to say:

The President of the United States of America has, on his part, furnished with full powers James Buchanan, Secretary of State of the United States, and Her Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, has, on her part, appointed the Right Honorable Richard Parkenham, a member of Her Majesty's Most Honorable Privy Council, and Her Majesty's Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the United States;

Who after having communicated to each other their respective full powers, found in good and due form, have agreed upon and concluded the following articles:

ARTICLE I.

From the point on the forty-ninth parallel of north lat.i.tude, where the boundary laid down in existing treaties and conventions between the United States and Great Britain terminates, the line of boundary between the territories of the United States and those of Her Brittanic Majesty shall be continued westward along the said forty-ninth parallel of north lat.i.tude to the middle of the channel which separates the continent from Vancouver's Island, and thence southerly through the middle of the said channel, and of Fuca's Straits, to the Pacific Ocean: _Provided, however,_ That the navigation of the whole of the said channel and straits, south of the forty-ninth parallel of north lat.i.tude, remain free and open to both parties.

ARTICLE II.

From the point at which the forty-ninth parallel of north lat.i.tude shall be found to intersect the great northern branch of the Columbia River, the navigation of the said branch shall be free and open to the Hudson's Bay Company, and to all British subjects trading with the same, to the point where the said branch meets the main stream of the Columbia, and thence down the said main stream to the ocean, with free access into and through the said river or rivers, it being understood that all the usual portages along the line thus described shall, in like manner, be free and open.

In navigating the said river or rivers, British subjects, with their goods and produce, shall be treated on the same footing as citizens of the United States; it being, however, always understood that nothing in this article shall be construed as preventing, or intended to prevent, the Government of the United States from making any regulations respecting the navigation of the said river or rivers not inconsistent with the present treaty.

ARTICLE III.

In the future appropriation of the territory south of the forty-ninth parallel of north lat.i.tude, as provided in the first article of this treaty, the possessory rights of the Hudson's Bay Company, and of all British subjects who may be already in the occupation of land or other property lawfully acquired within the said territory, shall be respected.

ARTICLE IV.

The farms, lands, and other property of every description belonging to the Puget's Sound Agricultural Company, on the north side of the Columbia River, shall be confirmed to the said company. In case, however, the situation of those farms and lands should be considered by the United States to be of public and political importance, and the United States Government should signify a desire to obtain possession of the whole, or of any part thereof, the property so required shall be transferred to the said Government, at a proper valuation, to be agreed upon between the parties.

ARTICLE V.

The present treaty shall be ratified by the President of the United States, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate thereof, and by Her Brittanic Majesty; and the ratifications shall be exchanged at London, at the expiration of six months from the date hereof, or sooner if possible. In witness whereof the respective plenipotentiaries have signed the same, and have affixed thereto the seals of their arms.

Done at Washington the fifteenth day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty-six.

JAMES BUCHANAN. [L.S.] RICHARD PARKENHAM. [L.S.]

NOTE.--This treaty was concluded at Washington, June 15, 1846, ratifications were exchanged July 17, 1846, and it was proclaimed Aug.

5,1846.

EMANc.i.p.aTION PROCLAMATION.