A Resolution from the Florida Senate, 1859
This is an interesting document, and it is presented in two forms.  The first version was introduced in the Florida Senate on December 19, 1859, by Mr. W. J. Keitt, Chairman of the Joint Select Committee, which apparently had jurisdiction over relations with the Federal Government.

The original resolution is remarkable for its aggressive language regarding the possibility of a future Republican President being elected.  Although the Harpers Ferry raid in

October is not mentioned, there is little doubt that those events influenced the language here.  The next day, the wording was modified into the second form, below, and passed by the Senate, unanimously.  No record of it being passed by the Florida House has been found.  (If anyone finds such a record, please contact the publisher.)  The publisher would like to thank Sarah Pioggia for posting the original document in the Facebook group Civil War Truth.




As introduced on Dec. 19, 1859:

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Stale of Florida in General Assembly convened, That in view of our national affairs the time for argument has passed, the time for action arrived; and that Florida as one of the Southern States abides the destiny of her sisters, extends her warmest assurance of co-operation in any course their united wisdom may devise.

Resolved, That in the event of the election of a President by a Northern party, opposed to slavery as it exists in the Southern States, it will be the duty of the Southern States to prevent his inauguration, or to take some means in common to protect themselves, and as one of the Southern States, Florida hereby pledges herself to do her duty.

Resolved, That to give effect to this assured co-operation the Governor be and he is hereby authorized upon the call of any of our Slaveholding States, and particularly those bordering on the free States to take any and all steps necessary for the maintenance of their rights and to convene the Legislature in extraordinary Session, should the necessity occur.

Resolved, That the Governor be requested to forward a copy of these resolutions, to our Representative and Senators in Congress, and to the Governors of all the Southern States.



As passed by the Senate on Dec. 20, 1859, by a vote of 15--0 (the enlarged blue text above has been deleted):

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Stale of Florida in General Assembly convened, That in view of our national affairs the time for argument has passed, the time for action arrived; and that Florida as one of the Southern States abides the destiny of her sisters, extends her warmest assurance of co-operation in any course their united wisdom may devise.

Resolved, That in the event of the election of a President by a Northern party, opposed to slavery as it exists in the Southern States, it will be the duty of the Southern States to take some means in common to protect themselves, and as one of the Southern States, Florida hereby pledges herself to do her duty.

Resolved, That to give effect to this assured co-operation the Governor be and he is hereby authorized upon the call of any of our Slaveholding States, and particularly those bordering on the free States to take any and all steps necessary for the maintenance of their rights and to convene the Legislature in extraordinary Session, should the necessity occur.

Resolved, That the Governor be requested to forward a copy of these resolutions, to our Representative and Senators in Congress, and to the Governors of all the Southern States.
There is no record (that I can find) of this being passed by the Florida House.  If anyone can find a record of its passage or rejection, I will make the appropriate edit.