Joint Resolution of the Congress of Texas, June 23, 1845
Joint Resolution of the Congress of Texas, June 23, 1845
Joint Resolution giving the consent of the existing Government to the Annexation of Texas to the United States.
Whereas the Government of the United States hath proposed the following terms, guarantees and conditions on which the people and Territory of the Republic of Texas may be erected into a new State to be called the State of Texas and admitted as one of the States of the American Union, to wit: Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled. That Congress doth consent that the territory properly included within and rightfully belonging of the Republic of Texas may be erected into a new State, to be called the State of Texas, with a Republican form of Government, to be adopted by the people of said Republic, by deputies in Convention assembled, with the consent of the existing Government, in order that the same may be admitted as one of the States of this Union. 2 And be it further resolved, That the forgoing consent of Congress is given upon the following conditions, and with the following guarantees, to wit: First said State to be formed subject to the adjustment by this Government of questions of boundary that may arise with other Governments, and the Constitution thereof, with the proper evidence of its adoption, by the people of said Republic of Texas, shall be transmitted to the President of the United States, to be laid before the Congress for its final action on or before its first day of January one thousand eight hundred and forty six. Second, said State when admitted into the Union, after ceding to the United States all public edifices, fortifications, barracks,ports, and harbors, navy and navy yards, docks, magazines, arms, armaments and all other property and means pertaining to public defence, belonging belonging to the said Republic of Texas, shall retain all the public funds, debts, taxes and dues of every kind which may belong to or be due and oweing said Republic, and shall retain all the vacant and unappropriated lands lying within its limits, to be applied to the payment of the debts and liabilities, of said Republic of Texas, and residue of said lands, after discharging of said debts and liabilities, to be disposed of as said State may direct: but in no event are said debts and liabilites to become a charge upon the Government of the United States. Third, new States of convienient size, not excluding four in number, in addition to said State of Texas, and having sufficiant poulation, may hereafter, by the consent of said State, be formed out of the territory thereof, which shall be entitled to admission under the provision of the Federal ( constitution. And such States may be formed out of that portion of said territory lying south of thirty-six degrees thirty minutes north latitude, commonly known as the Missouri compromise line, shall be admitted to the Union, with or without Slavery, as the people of each State asking admission may desire. and such State or States as shall be formed out of said territory north of said Missouri compromise line, slavery or involuntary servitude (except for a crime) shall be prohibited. And whereas, by by said terms, the consent of the existing Government of Texas is required-Therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Republic of Texas in Congress assembled, That the Government of Texas doth consent that the People and Territory of the Republic of Texas may be erected into a new State to be called the State of Texas, with a Republican form of Government to be adopted by the People of said Republic by Deputies in Convention assembled, in order that the same may be admitted as one of the States in the American Union, and said consent is given on the terms, guarantees, and conditions set forth in the Preamble to this Joint Resolution.
Section 2. Be it further resolved, that the proclamation of the President of the Republic of Texas, bearing date May fifth eighteen hundred forty five, and the election of deputies to said Convention, at Austin, on the fourth day of July next for the adoption of a Constitution for the State of Texas, had in accordance therewith, hereby recieve the consent of the existing Government of Texas.
Sec 3. Be it further resolved, That the President of Texas is hereby requested, immediatly, to furnish the Government of the United States, through their accredited Minister near this Government, with a copy of this Joint Resolution, also to furnish the Convention to assemble at Austin, on the fourth day of July next a copy of the same. And the same shall take effect from and after its passage.
John M. Lewis
Speaker of the House of Representatives
K.L. Anderson
President of the Senate
Approved June 23, 1845
Anson Jones
Source:
Treaties and Other International Acts of the United States of America.
Edited by Hunter Miller
Volume 4
Documents 80-121: 1836-1846
Washington: Government Printing Office. 1934.
http//www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/texian02.htm
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