Texas was able to take more care when drafting its first state constitution. Adopted just before annexation, the Constitution of 1845 set forth Texas law in a simple and straightforward manner. Constitutional scholars consider it to have been one of the best-drafted state constitutions.

Constitution of the State of Texas, adopted in Convention, at the City of Austin 1845. Austin: Printed at the Office of the ‘New Era’, 1845.Download PDF

• Preamble
• Article I: Bill of Rights
• Article II: Division of the Powers of Government
• Article III: Legislative Department
• Article IV: Judicial Department
• Article V: Executive Department
• Article VI: Militia
• Article VII: General Provisions
• Article VIII: Slaves
• Article IX: Impeachment
• Article X: Education
• Article XI: (Head-Rights)
• Article XII: Land Office
• Article XIII: Schedule

Translations

• German
• Spanish