An act declaring the political ties heretofore existing between the State of Missouri and the United
States of America dissolved.
Whereas the Government of the United States, in the possession and under the control of a
sectional party, has wantonly violated the compact originally made between said Government and
the State of Missouri, by invading with hostile armies the soil of the State, attacking and making
prisoners the militia while legally assembled under the State laws, forcibly occupying the State
capitol, and attempting through the instrumentality of domestic traitors to usurp the State
government, seizing and destroying private property, and murdering with fiendish malignity
peaceable citizens, men, women, and children, together with other acts of atrocity, indicating a
deep-settled hostility toward the people of Missouri and their institutions; and
Whereas the present Administration of the Government of the United States has utterly ignored
the Constitution, subverted the Government as constructed and intended by its makers, and
established a despotic and arbitrary power instead thereof: Now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the general assembly of the State of Missouri, That all political ties of every
character new existing between the Government of the United States of America and the people
and government of the State of Missouri are hereby dissolved, and the State of Missouri,
resuming the sovereignty granted by compact to the said United States upon admission of said
State into the Federal Union, does again take its place as a free and independent republic amongst
the nations of the earth.
This act to take effect and be in force from and after its passage.
Approved by the Missouri Legislature on October 31, 1861.
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