Florida in the Civil War

Documents

Constitution of 1865

(From: Florida. Constitutional Convention, Constitution, 1865, Series S 58)

To re-enter the Union under Presidential Reconstruction, a constitution was created by a convention called by the appointed governor. This constitution was never fully in effect. The U.S. Congress rejected it and put Florida under Radical Reconstruction (i.e., military rule) until 1868.

Constitution of 1865

CONSTITUTION OR FORM OF GOVERNMENT FOR THE PEOPLE OF FLORIDA


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We, the People of the State of Florida, by our delegates in Convention assembled, in the city of Tallahassee, on the 25th day of October, in the year of our Lord 1865, and of the Independence of the United States the 90th year, in order to secure to ourselves and our posterity the enjoyment of all the rights of life, liberty and property, and the pursuit of happiness, do mutually agree, each with the other, to form the following Constitution and form of Government in and for the said State.


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ARTICLE I.


Declaration of Rights.


That the great and essential principles of liberty and free government may be recognized and established, we declare:

[View all pages of the 1865 Constitution.]

 

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