Journal of the Secession Convention of Texas, 1861 , edited from the original in the Department of State by Ernest William Winkler , State Librarian (Austin: The Texas Library and Historical Commission. 1912. Pp. 469).

This volume is the second collection of documentary material to be issued by the Texas Library and Historical Commission since its creation four years ago; and it should be taken as an earnest of what the commission could do in the way of aiding research in the field of Texas history were it supplied by the state with adequate funds. Very little of our rich archives has been published except the diplomatic correspondence of the Republic, the laws and the legislative journals—which last are not complete. The commission is authorized by law to publish the archives, but the scantiness of the funds supplied has made it impossible to undertake the publication of anything but small and scattered units. Thus, the former volume consisted of the secret journals of the Congresses of the Republic.

The choice of the secession journal for the second volume is justified not only by the importance of the subject but by the inherent value of the journal itself and of the accompanying papers of the convention. The journal is remarkably full. It begins with an account of the manner in which the convention was called, and contains the full text of practically every resolution and report, as well as the addresses of the commissioners from the other cotton states. The debates are lacking, but it is not difficult to follow the mind of the convention in the record that is left. Inserted in the printed journal is a folded page photograph of the signatures to the Ordinance of Secession.

There are four appendices, only one of which is found with the original journal. The first is an address to the people, prepared after final adjournment, setting forth the various acts of the convention and the reasons for them. This was originally issued as a pamphlet. The second is the report of the Committee of Public Safety, a valuable document, which was appended to the journal and was also published in pamphlet form. The scarcity of these pamphlets justifies their inclusion here. A statistical list of delegates follows. The fourth appendix contains the election certificates of delegates as found in the convention papers.

A number of interesting points are brought to light, not all of which can be enumerated here. The election certificates disclose the fact that in certain counties the strength of the secession sentiment had brought about the election of delegates before the general call went out from Austin. The movement was truly spontaneous. And in the general election of delegates the regular officials were in charge and made the returns. This seems to dispose of the charge that unauthorized persons conducted the election. It is shown that eight votes were cast against the ordinance of secession instead of the traditional seven; and the figures given by Roberts and others for the popular vote on that ordinance are proven erroneous, though the ratio is not materially altered. A number of other inaccuracies in Roberts's account also become evident.

The accuracy of the editorial work could be tested only by a painstaking comparison of the printed copy with the originals; but the editor's reputation for care and thoroughness is a sufficient guarantee on this point. All students will commend his decision to include the appendices. The index is well done.

The publication of this volume emphasizes the need of a comprehensive plan for the publication of all the official archives of the state and the provision of funds sufficient for carrying out that plan. The other great requisite, efficient and scholarly editorial supervision, is already provided for. The commission should not be held to the necessity of publishing our historical records in isolated fragments, however well done that sort of work may be.

Chas. W. Ramsdell .

How to cite:
Ramsdell, Charles W., "Journal of the Secession Convention of Texas, 1861", Volume 016, Number 4, Southwestern Historical Quarterly Online, Page 430 - 431. http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/publications/journals/shq/online/v016/n4/review_27.html
[Accessed Sun Nov 23 3:27:03 CST 2008]