WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1861
258
to have power to Consider the condition of public affairs; To determine what shall be the future relations of this State to the Union, and such other matters as are necessarily and properly incident thereunto; And, in case it should be determined by the said Convention, that it is necessary for the preservation of the rights and liberties aforesaid, that the Sovereignty of Texas, should resume the powers delegated to the Federal Govern- ment, in the Constitution of the United States, and by the articles of Annexation, then the ordinance of said Convention resuming said powers, and repealing the ratification of the people of Texas of said articles of annexation, should be submitted to a Vote of the qualified electors of ,this State, for their ratification or rejec- tion ; Therefore, Be it resolved by the Legislature of the State of Texas, That the Government of the State of Texas, hereby gives its assent to, and approves of the Convention aforesaid. Sec. 2. That this Resolution take effect and be in force from and after its passage. With a protest against the assumption of any powers, on the part of the said Convention beyond the reference of the question for a longer connection of Texas with the Union, To the people. Sam Houston. Approved, Feby 4th, 1861.
1 Executive Reco1·ds, 1859-1861, p. 188, Texas State Library.
A PARDON FOR A NEGRO SLAVE, BILL, FEBRUARY 5, 1861 1 Whereas, At the Spring Term, A. D. 1860, of the District Court of Texas, held in and for the County of Fayette, in said State, a negro Slave named Bill, the property of one Thomas Sample, a Citizen of the said County, was tried and convicted of an Assault with intent to kill, upon the body of one George C. Dawson, a free white man, a crime which under the laws of Texas is punishable by death. And Whereas, Satisfactory evi- dence appearing that said negro boy did not intend to commit the said crime of which he has been convicted, and for other reasons adduced by numerous respectable petitioners for Exec- utive clemency, Now, Therefore, I, Sam Houston, Governor of the State aforesaid, do, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Laws and the Constitution of the State of Texas, grant full and free pardon to the said negro slave, Bill, and the Sheriff
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