Confederate States of America | "We, the people of the Confederate States..."

Confederate States of America

The Constitution of the Confederate States of America. Greenneville [sic], Tenn: J.M. Robertson, 1861

8vo (203 x 134 mm). 15pp., stitched; foxed, edges rounded, full glassine reinforcements to title and final leaf. In custom slipcase and folding chemise.

"We, the people of the Confederate States, each State acting in its sovereign and independent character, in order to form a perfect Federal Government, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, and secure the blessing of liberty to ourselves and our posterity—invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God—do ordain and and establish this Constitution for the Confederate State of America."

Adopted on 11 March 1861, the Constitution of the Confederate States was the supreme law of the Confederate States of America. It was in effect from 22 February 1862, to the conclusion of the American Civil War in May 1865. The majority of its provisions follow the United States Constitution verbatim; however, there are critical differences between the two documents regarding slavery.