Louisiana Secedes from the Empire
1-26-1861
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repealed and abrogated; and that the union now subsisting between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.
