In 1860, following the election of President Abraham Lincoln (in favor of the abolition of slavery), the public opinion of the deep south of the United States was oriented towards secession. In February 1861, six southern states had adopted a decree of secession (Ordinance of Secession, a document that formally sanctioned secession from the United States).
On January 21, 1861, Texas Governor Sam Houston called a Texas parliament meeting in Austin and, after describing Lincoln's "wretched" election, tried to avoid secession. However, on 1 February the Texan parliament proclaimed secession from the Union with a majority of 166 to 7. On February 23, the decision was confirmed by a referendum approved with a majority of 46.129 votes against 14.697.
It was therefore decided to withdraw the order of July 4, 1845 with which Texas had ratified the annexation to the United States by adhering to its Constitution and the relations and obligations to the federal government were revoked.
Finally, it was decided to appoint a delegation that would represent the state of Texas in Montgomery (Alabama) where representatives of the other six secessionist states were gathering to form the Confederacy.
Governor Houston accepted secession but pressed for Texas to return to an independent and neutral state. On March 16th the swearing ceremony of loyalty to the confederation was held. Houston refused to swear three times and was therefore dismissed.
Once Houston was dismissed, in the winter of 1861, representatives of the Texas counties adopted a secession decree by a majority of 166 votes to 8. A declaration was also approved that explained the causes of the secession including: solidarity towards the slave-holding States, and the inability of the federal government to prevent the attacks of Native Americans and bands of outlaws.
