

          THE CONSTITUTION OF THE CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA


    We ÿthe ÿpeople of the Confederate States, ÿeach State ÿacting ÿin ÿits 
sovereign ÿand ÿindependent ÿcharacter, ÿÿin ÿorder ÿto ÿform ÿa ÿpermanent 
government, ÿestablish justice, insure domestic tranquility, and secure the 
blessings ÿof liberty to ourselves and our posterity -- ÿinvoking the favor 
and ÿguidance of Almighty God -- ÿdo ordain and establish this Constitution 
for the Confederate States of America. 

                                 ARTICLE I

SECTION ÿ1. ÿÿAll ÿlegislative powers herein granted shall be vested ÿin ÿa 
Congress ÿof the Confederate States, ÿwhich shall consist of a Senate and a 
House of Representatives. 

SECTION ÿ2. ÿÿ(1)ÿThe House of Representatives shall be chosen every second 
year by ÿthe people of the several states, ÿand the electors in each ÿstate 
shall be citizens of the ÿConfederate States, ÿÿand have the qualifications 
requisite ÿÿfor ÿElectors ÿof ÿthe ÿmost ÿnumerous ÿbranch ÿof ÿthe ÿÿState 
Legislature; ÿÿbut ÿno ÿperson ÿof foreign birth, ÿnot ÿa ÿcitizen ÿof ÿthe 
Confederate ÿStates, ÿÿshall be allowed to vote for any officer, ÿcivil ÿor 
political, State or Federal. 

(2) ÿNo Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the 
age of twenty-five years, ÿand be a citizen of the Confederate States, ÿand 
who ÿshall not, ÿwhen elected, ÿbe an inhabitant of that State in which ÿhe 
shall be chosen. 

(3) Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several 
states ÿwhich may be included within this Confederacy, ÿaccording to ÿtheir 
respective numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number 
of free persons, including those bound to service for a term of years, ÿand 
excluding ÿIndians ÿnot ÿtaxed, ÿthree fifths of all ÿslaves. ÿÿThe ÿactual 
enumeration shall be made within three years after the first meeting of the 
Congress of the Confederate States, and within every subsequent term of ten 
years, ÿÿin ÿsuch ÿmanner ÿas they shall by law ÿdirect.  ÿÿThe ÿnumber ÿof 
Representatives ÿshall not exceed one for every fifty thousand, ÿÿbut ÿeach 
State ÿshall have at least one Representative; ÿand until such ÿenumeration 
shall be made, the State of South Carolina shall be entitled to choose six; 
the State of Georgia ten; ÿthe State of Alabama nine; ÿthe State of Florida 
two; ÿthe State of Mississippi seven; ÿthe State of Louisiana six; ÿand the 
State of Texas six. 

(4) ÿÿWhen ÿvacancies ÿhappen ÿin the Representation from any ÿState, ÿÿthe 
Executive ÿAuthority ÿthereof shall issue Writs of Election ÿto ÿfill ÿsuch 
Vacancies. 

(5) ÿÿThe ÿHouse of Representatives shall choose their ÿSpeaker ÿand ÿother 
Officers; ÿand ÿshall have the sole power of impeachment; ÿexcept that ÿany 
judicial or ÿother ÿfederal ÿofficer resident and acting solely within ÿthe 
limits ÿof ÿany State, ÿÿmay be impeached by a vote of two-thirds ÿof ÿboth 
branches of the Legislature thereof. 


SECTION ÿ3. ÿ(1) ÿThe Senate of the Confederate States shall be composed of 
two ÿSenators ÿfrom each State, ÿchosen for six years ÿby ÿthe ÿLegislature 
thereof, at the regular session next immediately preceding the commencement 
of the term of service; and each Senator shall have one Vote. 

(2) Immediately after they ÿshall be assembled in consequence ÿof the first 
Election, ÿÿthey shall be divided as equally as may be into three ÿclasses. 
The ÿseats ÿof ÿthe ÿSenators of the first class shall be ÿvacated ÿat ÿthe 
expiration of the second year, of the second class at the expiration of the 
fourth year, and of the third class at the expiration of the sixth year, so 
that one-third may be chosen every second year; ÿand if vacancies happen by 
resignation, ÿÿor ÿotherwise, ÿduring the recess of the Legislature of ÿany 
State, the Executive thereof may make temporary appointments until the next 
meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fill such Vacancies. 

(3) No Person shall ÿbe a Senator who shall not have attained to the Age of 
thirty ÿYears, ÿand be a Citizen of the Confederate States, ÿand who ÿshall 
not, ÿÿwhen elected, ÿbe an Inhabitant of that State for which he shall ÿbe 
chosen. 

(4) The Vice President of the Confederate States shall be ÿPresident of the 
Senate, but shall have no vote, unless they be equally divided. 

(5) The Senate shall choose their other Officers, ÿand also a President pro 
tempore, ÿin the absence of the Vice President, ÿor when he shall ÿexercise 
the Office of President of the Confederate States. 

(6) ÿÿThe ÿSenate shall have the sole power to try all impeachments. ÿÿWhen 
sitting ÿfor that purpose, ÿthey shall be on oath or affirmation. ÿWhen the 
President ÿof ÿthe ÿConfederate States is tried, ÿthe Chief ÿJustice ÿshall 
preside: And no person ÿshall ÿbe convicted without the concurrence of two-
thirds of the members present. 

(7) ÿÿJudgement ÿin ÿcase of impeachment shall not extend further ÿthan ÿto 
removal from ÿoffice, ÿand disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of 
honor, ÿÿtrust ÿor ÿprofit ÿunder the Confederate States; ÿÿbut ÿthe ÿparty 
convicted shall nevertheless ÿbe ÿliable and subject to indictment, ÿtrial, 
judgement and punishment, according to law. 

SECTION ÿ4. ÿÿ(1)  ÿThe times, ÿplaces and manner of holding elections ÿfor 
Senators ÿand ÿRepresentatives, ÿshall be prescribed in each State ÿby ÿthe 
Legislature thereof; ÿÿbut the Congress may at any time, ÿby law, ÿmake ÿor 
alter ÿsuch ÿregulations, ÿÿexcept as to the times and places ÿof ÿchoosing 
Senators. 

(2) ÿÿThe ÿCongress shall assemble at least once in every year, ÿÿand ÿsuch 
meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, ÿunless they shall by law 
appoint a different day. 

SECTION 5.(1)  Each House shall be the judge of the elections, returns, and 
qualifications of its own members, ÿand a majority of each shall constitute 
a quorum to do business, ÿbut a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, 
and may be authorized to compel the attendance of absent members, ÿin ÿsuch 
manner, and under such penalties as each House shall provide. 

(2) ÿÿEach ÿHouse may determine the rules of its proceedings, ÿÿpunish ÿits 
members ÿfor ÿdisorderly behavior, ÿand with the concurrence of two-thirds, 
expel a member. 

(3) ÿEach ÿHouse shall keep a journal of its proceedings, ÿand from time to 
time ÿpublish ÿthe ÿsame, ÿexcepting such parts as may in ÿtheir ÿjudgement 
require secrecy; ÿand the ÿyeas and nays of the members of either ÿHouse on 
any question shall, at the desire of one-fifth of those present, be entered 
on the journal. 

(4) ÿÿNeither House, ÿduring the sessions of Congress, ÿshall ÿwithout ÿthe 
consent ÿof the other, ÿadjourn for more than three days, ÿnor to any other 
place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting. 

SECTION ÿ6. ÿÿ(1)  ÿÿThe ÿSenators ÿand ÿRepresentatives ÿshall ÿreceive ÿa 
compensation for their services, to be ascertained by law, ÿand paid out of 
the treasury of ÿthe Confederate States.  ÿThey shall in all cases, ÿexcept 
treason ÿand ÿbreach of the peace, ÿbe privileged from arrest during ÿtheir 
attendance ÿat the session of their respective Houses, ÿand in going to and 
returning from the same; and for any speech or debate in either House, they 
shall not be questioned in any other place. 

(2) No Senator or ÿRepresentative shall, ÿduring the time for ÿwhich he was 
elected, ÿÿbe ÿappointed ÿto any civil office under the ÿauthority ÿof ÿthe 
Confederate ÿStates, ÿÿwhich shall have been created, ÿÿor ÿthe ÿemoluments 
whereof shall have been increased during such time; ÿand no person ÿholding 
any office under the Confederate States ÿshall be a member of either ÿHouse 
during his continuance in office.  ÿBut Congress may, by law, ÿgrant to the 
principal ÿin ÿeach of the Executive Departments a seat upon the ÿfloor ÿof 
either House, ÿwith the privilege of discussing any measure appertaining to 
his department. 


SECTION. ÿ7. (1) All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House 
of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with amendments as 
on other bills. 

(2) ÿEvery bill which shall have passed the Houses, ÿshall before it become 
law, be presented to the President of the Confederate States; if he approve 
he shall sign it; ÿbut if not, ÿhe shall return it, ÿwith his objections to 
that ÿHouse ÿit ÿwhich ÿit ÿshall have originated, ÿÿwho ÿshall ÿenter ÿthe 
objections at large on ÿtheir ÿjournal, ÿand proceed to reconsider it. ÿIf, 
after ÿsuch reconsideration, ÿtwo-thirds of that House shall agree to ÿpass 
the ÿbill, ÿit shall be sent, ÿtogether with the objections, ÿto the ÿother 
House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, ÿand if approved by two-
thirds of ÿthat House, ÿÿit ÿshall become a law. ÿBut in all such cases the 
votes of both Houses shall be determined by yeas and nays, and the names of 
the persons voting for and against the bill shall be entered on the journal 
of ÿeach ÿHouse ÿrespectively. ÿÿIf any bill shall not be returned ÿby ÿthe 
President ÿwithin ÿten ÿdays (Sundays excepted) ÿafter it shall ÿhave ÿbeen 
presented ÿto ÿhim, ÿthe same shall be a law, ÿin like manner as if he ÿhad 
signed it, unless the Congress by their adjournment prevent its return, ÿin 
which ÿcase ÿit ÿshall ÿnot ÿbe ÿa ÿlaw.  ÿThe President ÿmay ÿapprove ÿany 
appropriation and disapprove any other appropriation in the same bill. ÿÿIn 
such ÿcase ÿhe shall, ÿin ÿsigning the bill, ÿdesignate ÿthe appropriations 
disapproved; ÿÿand ÿshall ÿreturn a copy of such appropriations, ÿwith ÿhis 
objections, ÿÿto the House in which the bill shall have originated; and the 
same proceedings shall be had as in case of other bills disapproved by ÿthe 
President. 
 

(3) ÿÿEvery order, ÿresolution, ÿor vote, ÿto which the concurrence of ÿthe 
Senate and House ÿof Representatives may be necessary (except on a question 
of ÿadjournment) ÿÿshall be presented to the President of ÿthe ÿConfederate 
States; ÿand before the same shall take effect, ÿshall be approved by ÿhim, 
or, being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two-thirds of the Senate 
and ÿHouse ÿof ÿRepresentatives, ÿaccording to the ÿrules ÿand ÿlimitations 
prescribed in the case of a bill. 

SECTION. 8.. The Congress shall have power -- (1) to lay and collect taxes, 
duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide ÿfor ÿthe ÿcommon 
defense ÿand carry on the Government ÿof ÿthe ÿConfederate States; ÿbut ÿno 
bounties shall be granted from the treasury; ÿnor shall any duties or taxes 
on ÿimportations ÿfrom ÿforeign nations be laid to promote ÿor ÿfoster ÿany 
branch ÿof industry; ÿand all duties,ÿimposts and excises shall be ÿuniform 
throughout the Confederate States; 

(2) To borrow money on the credit of the Confederate States; 

(3) ÿÿTo ÿregulate ÿcommerce with foreign nations, ÿand among ÿthe ÿseveral 
states, ÿand with the Indian tribes; ÿbut neither this nor any other clause 
contained ÿin the Constitution shall be construed to delegate the power ÿto 
Congress ÿto ÿfacilitate ÿcommerce; ÿexcept for the purpose ÿof ÿfurnishing 
lights, ÿbeacons, and buoys, ÿand other aids to navigation upon the coasts, 
and ÿthe improvement of harbors, ÿand the removing of obstructions in river 
navigation 

(4) To establish an uniform rule of naturalization, and uniform laws on the 
subject ÿof bankruptcies throughout the Confederate States; ÿbut no law ÿof 
Congress shall discharge any debt before the passage  of the same. 

(5) To coin money, regulate the value thereof, and of foreign coin, and fix 
the standard of weights and measures; 

(6) ÿÿTo ÿprovide for the punishment of counterfeiting the ÿsecurities ÿand 
current coin of the Confederate States; 

(7) To establish post offices and post roads; but the expenses of the Post-
office ÿDepartment, ÿafter the first day of March, ÿin the year of our Lord 
eighteen hundred and sixty three, shall be paid out of its own revenues. 

(8) ÿÿTo promote the progress of science and useful arts, ÿby securing ÿfor 
limited ÿtimes ÿto ÿauthors ÿand inventors the ÿexclusive ÿright ÿto ÿtheir 
respective writings and discoveries; 

(9) To constitute tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court.

(10) To define and punish piracies and felonies committed on the high seas, 
and offenses against the law of nations; 

(11) To declare war, ÿgrant letters of marque and reprisal, ÿand make rules 
concerning captures on land and water; 

(12) To raise and support armies, but no appropriation of money to that use 
shall be for a longer term than two years; 

(13) To provide and maintain a navy; 

(14) To make rules ÿfor the government and regulation of the land and naval 
forces; 

(15) To provide for calling ÿforth the militia to execute ÿthe ÿlaws of the 
Confederate States,suppress insurrections and repel invasions; 

(16) To provide for organizing, ÿarming, and disciplining, the militia, and 
for governing such part ÿof them as may be employed in ÿthe ÿservice of the 
Confederate States, ÿreserving to the States respectively, ÿthe appointment 
of the officers, and the authority of training the militia according to the 
discipline prescribed by Congress; 

(17) To exercise exclusive legislation in all cases ÿwhatsoever, ÿover such 
district (not exceeding ten square miles) ÿas may, by cession of particular 
States, ÿand the acceptance of Congress, ÿbecome the seat of Government ÿof 
the ÿConfederate ÿStates, ÿand to exercise like authority over ÿall ÿplaces 
purchased by the consent of the Legislature of the State in which the ÿsame 
shall be, ÿfor the erection of forts, magazines, arsenals, dock yards, ÿand 
other needful buildings; - and 

(18) To make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into 
execution ÿthe ÿforegoing ÿpowers, ÿÿand all other powers ÿvested ÿby ÿthis 
Constitution ÿin ÿthe ÿGovernment ÿof the Confederate States, ÿÿor ÿin ÿany 
department or officer thereof. 

SECTION ÿ9. ÿ(1) ÿThe importation of negroes of the African race, ÿfrom any 
foreign country, ÿÿother than the slaveholding States or Territories of the 
United States of America, is hereby forbidden; ÿand Congress is required to 
pass such laws as shall effectually prevent the same. 

(2) ÿCongress ÿshall also have power to prohibit the introduction of slaves 
from ÿany ÿState ÿnot a member of, ÿor Territory not ÿbelonging ÿto, ÿÿthis 
Confederacy. 

(3) ÿÿThe ÿprivilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not ÿbe ÿsuspended, 
unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion the public safety may require 
it. 

(4) No bill of attainder or ex post facto law, ÿor law denying or impairing 
the right of property in negro slaves shall be passed. 

(5) No capitation, or other direct, tax shall be laid, unless in proportion 
to the census or enumeration herein before directed to be taken. 

(6) ÿÿNo ÿtax ÿor duty shall be laid on articles exported from ÿany ÿState, 
except by a vote of two-thirds of both Houses. 

(7) No ÿpreference shall be given for any regulation of commerce or revenue 
to the ports of one State over those of another. 

(8) No money shall ÿbe ÿdrawn ÿfrom the ÿtreasury, ÿÿbut ÿin consequence of 
appropriations ÿmade ÿby law; ÿand a regular statement and account ÿof ÿthe 
receipts and expenditures of all public money shall be published from ÿtime 
to time. 

(9) Congress ÿshall appropriate no money from the treasury except by a vote 
of two-thirds of both Houses, ÿtaken by yeas and nays, ÿunless it be ÿasked 
and estimated for by some one of the heads of departments, and submitted to 
Congress ÿby the President; ÿor for the purpose of paying its own ÿexpenses 
and ÿcontingencies; ÿor for the payment of claims against ÿthe ÿConfederate 
States, ÿÿthe ÿjustice of which shall have been judicially ÿdeclared ÿby ÿa 
tribunal for the investigation of claims against the Government, ÿwhich ÿit 
is hereby made the duty of Congress to establish. 

(10) ÿAll ÿbills appropriating money shall specify in federal currency ÿthe 
exact amount ÿof ÿeach appropriation and the purpose for which it is ÿmade; 
and Congress shall grant ÿno extra compensation ÿto ÿany public contractor, 
officer, ÿagent, ÿor servant, ÿafter such contract shall have been made ÿor 
such service rendered. 

(11) No title of nobility shall be granted by the Confederate States: ÿÿAnd 
no person holding any office of profit or trust under them, shall, ÿwithout 
the consent of the Congress, accept of any present, ÿemolument, ÿoffice, or 
title, of any kind whatever, from any king, prince, or foreign state. 

(12) Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or 
prohibiting the free exercise thereof; ÿor abridging the freedom of speech, 
or ÿthe press; ÿor the right of the people peaceably to assemble, ÿÿand ÿto 
petition the Government for a redress of grievances. 

(13) ÿA ÿwell regulated militia, ÿbeing necessary to the security of a free 
State, ÿÿthe ÿright ÿof the people to keep and bear ÿarms, ÿÿshall ÿnot ÿbe 
infringed. 

(14) No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any House, ÿwithout 
the ÿconsent ÿof ÿthe owner, ÿnor in time of war, ÿbut in a ÿmanner ÿto ÿbe 
prescribed by law. 

(15) The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, 
and ÿeffects, ÿÿagainst unreasonable searches and seizures, ÿshall ÿnot ÿbe 
violated, and no warrants shall issue, ÿbut upon probable cause, ÿsupported 
by ÿoath ÿor ÿaffirmation, ÿÿand particularly describing the ÿplace ÿto ÿbe 
searched, and the persons or things to be seized. 

(16) No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous 
crime, ÿÿunless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, ÿexcept ÿin 
cases ÿarising ÿin the land or naval forces, ÿor in the militia, ÿÿwhen ÿin 
actual ÿservice in time of war or public danger; ÿnor shall any ÿperson ÿbe 
subject ÿfor the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or ÿlimb; 
nor ÿshall ÿbe ÿcompelled ÿin any criminal case to ÿbe ÿa ÿwitness ÿagainst 
himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process 
of law; ÿnor shall private property be taken for public use, ÿwithout ÿjust 
compensation. 

(17) ÿIn all criminal prosecutions, ÿthe accused shall enjoy the right to a 
speedy ÿand ÿpublic trial, ÿby an impartial jury of the State and ÿdistrict 
wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been 
previously ÿascertained by law, ÿand to be informed of the nature and cause 
of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have 
compulsory ÿprocess for obtaining witnesses in his favor, ÿand to have ÿthe 
Assistance of Counsel for his defense. 

(18) ÿIn suits at common law, ÿwhere the value in controversy shall ÿexceed 
twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, ÿand no fact 
tried ÿby ÿa ÿjury, ÿÿshall be otherwise reexamined in ÿany ÿcourt ÿof ÿthe 
Confederacy, than according to the rules of the common law. 

(19) Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor 
cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. 

(20) ÿEvery law, or resolution having the force of law, shall relate to but 
one subject, and that shall be expressed in the title. 

SECTION 10 (1)   ÿÿNo ÿstate shall enter into any ÿtreaty, ÿÿalliance, ÿÿor 
confederation; grant letters of marque and reprisal; coin money; emit bills 
of ÿcredit; ÿmake any thing but gold and silver coin a tender in payment of 
debts; pass any bill of attainder, ex post facto law, ÿor law impairing the 
obligation of contracts, or grant any title of nobility. 

(2) ÿNo state shall, ÿwithout the consent of Congress, ÿlay any imposts ÿor 
duties on imports or exports, ÿexcept what may ÿbe absolutely necessary for 
executing ÿits ÿinspection ÿlaws; ÿand the net produce of ÿall ÿduties ÿand 
imposts, ÿlaid by any state on imports or exports, ÿshall be for the use of 
the Treasury of the Confederate States; ÿand all such laws shall be subject 
to the revision and control of the Congress.  

(3) ÿÿNo ÿstate shall, ÿwithout the consent of Congress, ÿlay any ÿduty ÿof 
tonnage, except on sea-going vessels, for the improvement of its rivers and 
harbors ÿnavigated by the said vessels; ÿbut such duties shall not conflict 
with any treaties ÿof the Confederate States with foreign nations; ÿand any 
surplus revenue, ÿthus derived, ÿshall, ÿafter making such improvement, ÿbe 
paid into the common treasury; ÿnor shall any State keep troops or ships of 
war ÿin ÿtime ÿof peace, ÿenter into any agreement or compact with ÿanother 
State, ÿor with a foreign power, or engage in war, unless actually invaded, 
or in such imminent danger as will not admit of delay.  ÿBut when any river 
divides or flows ÿthrough two or more States, ÿthey may enter into compacts 
with each other to improve the navigation thereof. 




                                 ARTICLE II

SECTION. 1 (1).   The executive power shall be vested in a President of the 
Confederate ÿStates of America. ÿHe and the Vice-President shall hold their 
offices ÿfor ÿthe ÿterm ÿof ÿsix ÿyears; ÿbut the President ÿshall ÿnot ÿbe 
reeligible.  ÿÿThe President and ÿthe ÿVice-President shall be ÿelected ÿas 
follows: 

(2) Each state shall appoint, in such manner as the legislature thereof may 
direct, ÿa ÿnumber of electors, ÿequal to the whole number of Senators ÿand 
Representatives to which the state may be entitled in the Congress: ÿbut no 
Senator ÿor Representative, ÿor person holding an office of trust or profit 
under the Confederate States, shall be appointed an elector. 

(3) The electors shall meet in their respective States, ÿand vote by ballot 
for President and Vice-President, ÿÿone of whom, ÿat least shall ÿnot be an 
inhabitant ÿof ÿthe same State with themselves; ÿthey shall name ÿin ÿtheir 
ballots ÿthe ÿperson voted for as President, ÿand in distinct ÿballots ÿthe 
person ÿvoted for as Vice-President,and they shall make distinct ÿlists ÿof 
all the persons voted for as President, ÿand  of all the persons voted ÿfor 
as ÿVice-President,  ÿand of the number of votes for each; ÿwhich list they 
shall ÿsign ÿand certify, ÿand transmit, ÿsealed to the government ÿof ÿthe 
Confederate States, directed to the President of the Senate. ÿThe President 
of ÿthe ÿSenate ÿshall, ÿÿin ÿthe ÿpresence of ÿthe ÿSenate ÿand ÿHouse ÿof 
Representatives, ÿÿopen all the certificates, ÿand the votes shall then ÿbe 
counted; the person having the greatest number of votes for President shall 
be ÿthe ÿPresident, ÿif such number be a majority of the ÿwhole ÿnumber ÿof 
electors ÿappointed; ÿand if no person shall have such majority, ÿthen ÿthe 
persons ÿhaving the highest numbers, ÿnot exceeding three, ÿon the list ÿof 
those ÿÿvoted ÿfor ÿas ÿPresident, ÿÿthe ÿHouse ÿof ÿRepresentatives ÿshall 
immediately choose by ballot, the President; But in choosing the President, 
the ÿvote ÿshall ÿbe taken by States, ÿthe representation from ÿeach ÿState 
having one ÿvote; ÿa ÿquorum for this purpose shall consist of a member ÿor 
members ÿfrom ÿtwo-thirds of the states, ÿand a majority of all the ÿstates 
shall be necessary to a choice.  ÿAnd if the House of Representatives shall 
not ÿchoose a President, ÿwhenever the right of choice shall ÿdevolve ÿupon 
them, ÿÿbefore ÿthe ÿfourth day of March next following, ÿÿthen ÿthe ÿVice-
President ÿshall ÿact ÿas President, ÿas in case of the ÿdeath, ÿÿor ÿother 
constitutional disability of the President. 

(4) The ÿperson having the greatest number of votes as Vice-President shall 
be the vice-President, ÿif such number be a majority of the whole number of 
electors ÿappointed; ÿand if no person have a majority, ÿthen from the ÿtwo 
highest numbers on the list, the Senator shall choose the Vice-President; a 
quorum ÿfor the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number ÿof 
Senators, ÿÿand ÿa ÿmajority of the whole number shall be necessary ÿfor ÿa 
choice. 

(5) ÿÿBut ÿno person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President 
shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the Confederate States. 

(6) The ÿCongress may determine the time of choosing the electors, ÿand the 
day on which they ÿshall ÿgive ÿtheir votes; ÿwhich day ÿshall ÿbe the same 
throughout the Confederate States. 

(7) No person except a natural born Citizen of the Confederate States, or a 
citizen ÿthereof, ÿat the time of the adoption of this Constitution, ÿor ÿa 
citizen of the United States prior to the 20th of December, 1860, ÿshall be 
eligible to the office of President; ÿneither shall any person be ÿeligible 
to that office who shall not have attained to the age of thirty-five years, 
and ÿbeen ÿfourteen years a resident within the limits of ÿthe ÿConfederate 
States, as they may exist at the time of his election.. 

(8) In case of ÿthe removal of the President from office, ÿor of his death, 
resignation, ÿÿor inability to discharge the powers and duties of the ÿsaid 
office, the same shall devolve on the Vice-President, and the Congress may, 
by law, ÿprovide for the case of removal, death, ÿresignation or inability, 
both of the President and Vice-President, declaring what officer shall then 
act ÿas ÿPresident, ÿÿand such officer shall act ÿaccordingly, ÿÿuntil ÿthe 
disability be removed, or a President shall be elected. 

(9) The President shall, ÿÿat stated times, ÿreceive ÿfor ÿhis services, ÿa 
compensation, ÿÿwhich shall neither be increased nor diminished during ÿthe 
period ÿfor ÿwhich ÿhe shall have been elected, ÿand he shall ÿnot ÿreceive 
within that period any other emolument from the Confederate States, ÿor any 
of them. 

(10) Before he enter on the execution of the duties of his office, he shall 
take the following oath or affirmation: 

"I ÿdo ÿsolemnly ÿswear  (or affirm).that I will  ÿfaithfully ÿexecute ÿthe 
office ÿof President of the Confederate States, ÿand will to the best of my 
ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution Thereof." 

SECTION ÿ2 ÿ(1) ÿThe President shall be commander-in-chief of the army ÿand 
navy ÿof the Confederate States, ÿand of the militia of the several States, 
when ÿcalled ÿinto ÿthe actual service of the Confederate States; ÿÿhe ÿmay 
require ÿthe opinion, ÿin writing, ÿof the principal officer in each of the 
executive ÿdepartments, ÿÿupon any subject relating to the duties of ÿtheir 
respective offices, ÿand he shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons 
for ÿÿoffenses ÿagainst ÿthe ÿConfederate ÿStates, ÿÿexcept ÿin ÿcases ÿÿof 
impeachment. 

(2) He shall have power, ÿby and with the advice and consent of the Senate, 
to make treaties, ÿprovided two-thirds of the Senators present concur; ÿand 
he ÿshall nominate, ÿand by and with the advice and consent of the ÿSenate, 
shall appoint ambassadors, ÿother public ministers and consuls, ÿjudges ÿof 
the supreme court, and all other officers of the Confederate States, ÿwhose 
appointments ÿare ÿnot herein otherwise provided for, ÿand which ÿshall ÿbe 
established ÿby law.  ÿBut the Congress may by law vest the appointment ÿof 
such inferior officers, ÿas they think proper, ÿin the President alone, ÿin 
the courts of law, or in the heads of departments. 

(3) ÿÿThe principal officer in each of the Executive Departments, ÿand ÿall 
persons connected ÿwith the diplomatic service, ÿmay be removed from office 
at ÿthe ÿpleasure ÿof ÿthe President.  ÿAll other ÿcivil ÿofficers ÿof ÿthe 
Executive Departments may be removed at any time by the President, or other 
appointing power, ÿwhen their services are unnecessary, ÿor for dishonesty, 
incapacity, ÿinefficiency, ÿÿmisconduct, ÿor neglect of duty; ÿand when ÿso 
removed, ÿÿthe removal shall be reported to the Senate, ÿtogether with ÿthe 
reasons, therefor. 

(4) The President shall have power to fill up all vacancies that may happen 
during the recess of the Senate, by granting commissions which shall expire 
at ÿthe ÿend of their next session; ÿbut no person rejected by ÿthe ÿSenate 
shall be reappointed to the same office during their ensuing recess.. 

SECTION 3.(1)  ÿHe shall from time to time give to the Congress information 
of ÿthe ÿstate ÿof the union, ÿand recommend to ÿtheir ÿconsideration ÿsuch 
measures ÿas ÿhe ÿshall ÿjudge ÿnecessary ÿand ÿexpedient; ÿÿhe ÿmay, ÿÿÿon 
extraordinary occasions, ÿconvene both ÿHouses, ÿor either of them, ÿand in 
case of disagreement between them, with respect to the time of adjournment, 
he may adjourn them to such time as he shall think proper; he shall receive 
ambassadors and other public ministers; he shall take care that the laws be 
faithfully ÿexecuted, ÿÿand ÿshall ÿcommission ÿall ÿthe ÿofficers ÿof ÿthe 
Confederate States. 

SECTION 4 (1).  The President, Vice-President and all civil officers of the 
Confederate ÿStates, ÿshall be removed from office on impeachment for, ÿand 
conviction of, treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors. 



                            ARTICLE III

SECTIONÿ1 (1). The judicial power of the Confederate States shall be vested 
in one Supreme Court, ÿand in such inferior courts as the Congress may from 
time ÿto time ordain and establish. ÿThe judges, ÿboth of the ÿSupreme ÿand 
inferior courts, ÿshall hold their offices during good behavior, and shall, 
at stated times, ÿreceive for their services, a ÿcompensation, ÿwhich shall 
not be diminished during their continuance in office. 



                             ARTICLE IV

SECTION 1 (1)   ÿÿFull faith and credit shall be given in each state to the 
public acts, ÿrecords, ÿand judicial proceedings of every other state. ÿAnd 
the ÿCongress may by general laws prescribe the manner in which such ÿacts, 
records and proceedings shall be proved, and the effect thereof. 

SECTION ÿ2 ÿ(1)  ÿÿThe ÿcitizens of each state shall ÿbe ÿentitled ÿto ÿall 
privileges and immunities of citizens in the several states, and shall have 
the ÿright ÿof transit and sojourn in any State of this Confederacy, ÿÿwith 
their slaves and other property; ÿand the right of property in said ÿslaves 
shall not be thereby impaired. . 

(2) A person charged in any state with treason, felony, or other crime, who 
shall flee from justice, and be found in another State, shall, on demand of 
the ÿexecutive authority of the State from which he fled, ÿbe delivered up, 
to be removed to the State having jurisdiction of the crime. 

(3) ÿÿNo ÿslave or other person held to service or labor in ÿany ÿState ÿor 
Territory ÿof the Confederate States, ÿunder the laws thereof, ÿescaping or 
[un]lawfully into another, ÿshall, ÿin consequence of any law or regulation 
therein, ÿbe discharged from such service or labor, ÿbut shall be delivered 
up ÿon ÿclaim of ÿthe party to whom such slave belongs, ÿor ÿto ÿwhom ÿsuch 
service or labor may be due. 

SECTION ÿ3. ÿ(1)  ÿOther States may be admitted into this Confederacy by ÿa 
vote of two-thirds of the whole House of Representatives, and two-thirds of 
the Senate, the Senate voting by States; ÿbut no new ÿstate shall be formed 
or ÿerected within the jurisdiction of any other state; ÿnor any ÿstate ÿbe 
formed by the junction of two or more states, ÿor parts of states, ÿwithout 
the consent of the ÿlegislatures ÿof the states concerned as well as of the 
Congress. 

(2) ÿThe Congress shall have power to dispose of and make all needful rules 
and ÿregulations ÿconcerning ÿthe ÿproperty belonging ÿto ÿthe ÿConfederate 
States, including the lands thereof. 

(3) ÿÿThe Confederate States may acquire new territory; ÿand Congress shall 
have the power to legislate and provide governments for the inhabitants ÿof 
all ÿterritories ÿbelonging to the Confederate States, ÿlying ÿwithout ÿthe 
limits of the several States, ÿand may permit them, ÿat such times, ÿand in 
such ÿmanner as it may by law provide, ÿto form States to be admitted ÿinto 
the Confederacy.  In all such territory, ÿthe institution of negro slavery, 
as ÿit ÿnow ÿexists in the Confederate States, ÿÿshall ÿbe ÿrecognized ÿand 
protected ÿÿby ÿCongress ÿand ÿby ÿthe ÿterritorial ÿgovernment; ÿÿand ÿthe 
inhabitants ÿof ÿthe several Confederate States and Territories shall ÿhave 
the right to take ÿto such territory any slaves lawfully held in any of the 
States or Territories of the Confederate States. 

(4) ÿÿThe Confederate States shall guarantee to every State that now is ÿor 
hereafter ÿmay become a member of the Confederacy,ÿa ÿÿRepublican ÿform ÿof 
Government, ÿÿand shall protect each ÿof ÿthem ÿagainst invasion; ÿÿand ÿon 
application ÿof the Legislature, ÿ(or of the Executive when the Legislature 
is not in session) against domestic violence. 


                             ARTICLE V.

Sec 1 (1) ÿUpon the demand of any three States, ÿlegally assembled in their 
several ÿConventions, ÿÿthe Congress shall summon a Convention of ÿall ÿthe 
States ÿto take into consideration such amendments to the ÿConstitution ÿas 
the said States shall concur in suggesting at the time when the said demand 
is ÿmade; ÿand should any of the proposed amendments to the Constitution be 
agreed ÿon by the said Convention -- ÿvoting by States -- ÿand the same ÿbr 
ratified ÿby ÿthe Legislature of two-thirds of the several States, ÿÿor ÿby 
conventions ÿin ÿtwo-thirds ÿthereof -- ÿas the one or the ÿother ÿmode ÿof 
ratification ÿmay ÿbe ÿproposed by the general convention ÿ-- ÿÿthey ÿshall 
thenceforward ÿform ÿa ÿpart of this Constitution.  ÿBut ÿno ÿState ÿshall, 
without its consent, be deprived of its equal representation in the Senate. 


                             ARTICLE VI

(1) The Government established by this Constitution os the successor of the 
Provisional ÿGovernment of the Confederate States of America, ÿand all ÿthe 
laws ÿpassed by the latter shall continue in force until the same shall ÿbe 
repealed ÿor ÿmodified; ÿand all the officers appointed by the ÿsame ÿshall 
remain in office until their successors are appointed and qualified, or the 
offices abolished. 

(2) ÿÿAll debts contracted and engagements entered into before the adoption 
of ÿthis ÿConstitution, ÿshall be as valid against the ÿConfederate ÿStates 
under this Constitution as under the Provisional Government. 

(3) ÿThis constitution, ÿand the laws of the Confederate States which shall 
be ÿmade in pursuance thereof; ÿand all treaties made, ÿor which ÿshall ÿbe 
made, ÿunder the authority of the Confederate States, ÿshall be the supreme 
law of the land; ÿand the judges in every state shall be bound thereby, any 
thing ÿÿin ÿthe ÿconstitution ÿor ÿlaws ÿof ÿany ÿstate ÿto ÿthe ÿÿcontrary 
notwithstanding. 

(4) ÿThe Senators and Representatives before mentioned, ÿand the members of 
the ÿseveral State Legislatures, ÿand all executive and judicial ÿofficers, 
both of the Confederate States and of the several States, shall be bound by 
oath ÿor affirmation, ÿto support this constitution; ÿbut no religious test 
shall ÿever ÿbe required as a qualification to any office or ÿpublic ÿtrust 
under the Confederate States. 

(5) ÿThe enumeration, in the Constitution, of certain rights, ÿshall not be 
construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people of the several 
States. 

(6)  ÿÿÿThe ÿpowers ÿnot ÿdelegated ÿto ÿthe ÿConfederate ÿStates ÿby ÿÿthe 
Constitution, ÿÿnor ÿprohibited by it to the States, ÿare reserved ÿto ÿthe 
States respectively, or to the people thereof. 


                             ARTICLE VII

1. The ratification of the conventions of five States, ÿshall be sufficient 
for the establishment of this constitution between the States so ÿratifying 
the same. 

2. ÿÿWhen five States shall have ratified this Constitution in ÿthe ÿmanner 
before specified, ÿthe Congress, under the provisional Constitution, ÿshall 
prescribe ÿthe ÿtime ÿfor ÿholding the ÿelection ÿof ÿPresident ÿand ÿVice-
President, ÿand for the meeting of the electoral college, ÿand for counting 
the ÿvotes and inaugurating the President.  ÿThey shall also prescribe ÿthe 
time ÿfor ÿholding ÿthe first election of members of ÿCongress ÿunder ÿthis 
Constitution, ÿand the time for assembling the same.  ÿUntil the assembling 
of such Congress, ÿthe ÿCongress ÿunder ÿthe provisional Constitution shall 
continue to ÿexercise the legislative powers granted them; ÿÿnot ÿextending 
beyond the time limited by the Constitution of the Provisional Government. 

Adopted ÿunanimously ÿby the Congress of the Confederate ÿStates ÿof ÿSouth 
Carolina, ÿGeorgia, ÿFlorida, Alabama, Mississippi, ÿLouisiana, ÿand Texas, 
sitting in convention at the capitol, ÿin the city of Montgomery, ÿAlabama, 
on the Eleventh day of March, in the year Eighteen Hundred and Sixty One. 

Howell Cobb
President of Congress