Another State Leaves The Union

The Louisiana Secessionist Convention voted to secede January 26^th 1861 by a vote of 112 to 17.

A hundred and thirty men met at Baton Rouge, Louisiana to hold the Louisiana Secession Convention.  The fact that the Governor of Louisiana had, since the beginning of the new year seized Federal Forts and properties made the Convention a forgone conclusion.  The vote on January 26^th 1861 was 113 to 17 to secede straightaway from the Union.  The Ordinance of Secession was signed by 120 of the delegates.

“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 1811, 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laws and ordinances by which the State of Louisiana became a member of the Federal Union, be and the same are hereby repealed and abrogated; and that the union now subsisting between Louisiana and other States, under the name of "The United States of America," is hereby dissolved.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.”