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 to 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 foregoing 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 all 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 Congress for its final action, on or before the 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 the public defence, 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 owing said Republic; and shall also 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 the residue of said lands, after discharging said debts and liabilities, to be disposed of as said State may direct; but in no event are said debts and liabilities to become a charge upon the Government of the United States.
Third. New States of convenient size, not exceeding four in number, in addition to said State of Texas, and having sufficient population, may hereafter, by the consent of said State, be formed out of the territory thereof, which shall be entitled to admission under the provisions of the Federal Constitution. And such States as 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 into the Union, with or without slavery, as the people of each State asking admission may desire. And in such State or States as shall be formed out of said territory north of said Missouri compromise line, slavery or involuntary servitude (except for crime) shall be prohibited.
And whereas, by said terms, the consent of the existing government of Texas is required— Therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate and 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 of the American Union, and said consent is given on the terms, guarantees and conditions set forth in the Preamble to this Joint Resolution.
SEC. 2. Be it further resolved, That, the Proclamation of the President of the Republic of Texas, bearing date May fifth, eighteen hundred and forty-five, and the election of Deputies to set in 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 receives the consent of the existing Government of Texas.
SEC. 3. Be it further resolved, That. the President of Texas is hereby requested immediately 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 of July next, a copy of the same. And the same shall take effect from and after its passage.
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