Whereas, in the year eighteen hundred and sixty-one, the government of the state of Tennessee was seized upon and taken possession of by persons in hostility to the United States, and the inhabitants of the state in pursuance of an act of Congress, were declared to be in a state of insurrection against the United States; and whereas, said state government can only be restored to its former political relations in the Union by consent of the law-making power of the United States; and whereas, the people of said state did on the twenty-second day of February, eighteen hundred and sixty-five, by a large popular vote, adopt and ratify a constitution of government whereby slavery was abolished, and all ordinances and laws of secession and debts contracted under the same were declared void; and whereas a state government has been organized under said constitution which has ratified the amendment to the constitution of the United States abolishing slavery, also the amendment proposed by the thirty-ninth Congress, and has done other acts proclaiming and denoting loyalty; Therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the state of Tennessee is hereby restored to her former proper, practical relations to the Union, and is again entitled to be represented by senators and representatives in Congress.

Approved, July 24,1866.

THE MECKLENBURGH RESOLUTIONS—­1775.

I. Resolved, That whosoever directly or indirectly abets, or in any way, form, or manner countenances the unchartered and dangerous invasion of our rights, as claimed by Great Britain, is an enemy to this country, to America, and to the inherent and inalienable rights of man.

II.  Resolved, That we do hereby declare ourselves a free and independent people; are, and of right ought to be a sovereign and self-governing association, under the control of no power, other than that of our God and the general government of the congress:  To the maintainance of which independence we solemnly pledge to each other our mutual co-operation, our lives, our fortunes, and our most sacred honor.

III.  Resolved, That as we acknowledge the existence and control of no law or legal officer, civil or military, within this county, we do hereby ordain and adopt as a rule of life, all, each, and every one of our former laws, wherein, nevertheless, the crown of Great Britain never can be considered as holding rights, privileges, or authorities therein.

IV.  Resolved, That all, each, and every military officer in this county is hereby reinstated in his former command and authority, he acting conformably to their regulations, and that every member present of this delegation, shall henceforth be a civil officer, viz.; a justice of the peace, in the character of a committee man, to issue process, hear and determine all matters of controversy, according to said adopted laws, and to preserve peace, union, and harmony in said county, to use every exertion to spread the love of country and fire of freedom throughout America, until a more general and organized government be established in this province.