RELATIVE TO THE DIRECT TAX LEVIED UPON THE STATE OF TEXAS BY THE UNITED STATES.
WHEREAS, By act of Congress of August the 6th, 1861, there was levied upon the several States of the United States the sum of twenty million of dollars, which sum was apportioned by said act among the several States as therein provided; and,
WHEREAS, The sum apportioned to the State of Texas is three hundred and fifty-five thousand one hundred and six and two-third dollars, which sum is to be collected in the manner provided (in) said act, and the act of June 7th, 1861; and
WHEREAS, It is provided by said act of Congress that the States may assume the payment of said tax upon certain conditions:
Now, therefore, the people of the State of Texas, by their delegates in Convention assembled, do ordain and declare as follows:
First. The State of Texas hereby assumes the payment to the Government of the United States of such sum as may be necessary to discharge said tax levied upon the State of Texas, under the rules, regulations, limitations, restrictions and allowances in said act provided.
Second. The Comptroller of Public Accounts is hereby created a Commissioner, whose duty it shall be to confer with the proper authorities at Washington City, upon all matters connected with said direct tax.
Third. That the powers of said Commissioner shall extend to the negotiation of all matters relative to said tax.
Fourth. Said Commissioner shall have power to cancel on behalf of the State of Texas, in payment of said tax, any indebtedness due by the Government of the United States to the State of Texas, on account of advances which may have been made by the State for objects of frontier protection, or on account of any bonds that the State may hold against the United States for indemnity or otherwise, and to any other character of indebtedness whatever that may exist from the Government of the United States to the State of Texas. Further, that said Commissioner shall report to the first Legislature which shall assemble in this State after the adoption of this ordinance
Fifth. That the sum of one thousand dollars be and the same is hereby appropriated out of the funds in the Treasury of the State, or so much of the same as shall be actually necessary to defray the expenses of said Commissioner in carrying into effect this ordinance.
Passed March 15, 1866.