Originally Posted by kaywoodie
I believe he is refering to the assorted states' ordinances of secession. For the most part.


IIRC, it was only Va, Al, and Tx that mentioned "slaveholding" states in their respective Ordinances.

It also appeared to me that it was used by those respective states as a means of identifying the block of seceding states.

Keep in mind for those three that used the term, other states chose a simple, and probably much more appropriate use of their ordinance, e.g. NC:

Quote
We do further declare and ordain, That the union now subsisting between the State of North Carolina and the other States, under the title of the United States of America, is hereby dissolved, and that the State of North Carolina is in full possession and exercise of all those rights of sovereignty which belong and appertain to a free and independent State.


Choosing not to identify any issues in their ordinance as the other did, nor choosing to outline any solidarity in their secession, just simply wanting to GTFO.

my read...