Executive Chamber, HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, March 26th 1869. Dear Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith a duly authenticated copy of the Joint Resolution of the Legislature of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania ratifying the proposed article Fifteen, as an Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. Most Respectfully Your Ob'dt S'vt. JNO. W. GEARY Governor To Hon. Hamilton Fish Secretary of State of U. S. Wash. D. C. Joint Resolution to ratify the amendment to the Constitution of the United States. Whereas Two thirds of the members of the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States in Congress assembled did adopt an amendment to the Constitution of the United States which is entitled article fifteen as follows: "Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race color or previous condition. of servitude. Section 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation." Which said amendment has been submitted to the legislature of Pennsylvania for ratification or rejection-Therefore Be it resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Pennsylvania in General Assembly met—That the amendment as above proposed and submitted is hereby ratified and adopted by the State of Pennsylvania. JOHN CLARK Speaker of the House of Reps. WILMER WORTHINGTON Speaker of the Senate Approved the Twenty-sixth day of March Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine. JNO. W. GEARY Harrisburg March 26th 1869 Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth Pennsylvania S. S. I do hereby certify, That the foregoing and annexed [SEAL.] is a full true and correct copy of the original Joint Resolution of the General Assembly, entitled "Joint Resolution to ratify the amendment to the Constitution of the United States" as the same remains on file in this office. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and caused the Seal of the Secretary's Office to be affixed, the day and year above written. ISAAC B. GARA, Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth IN THE NAME AND BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, JOHN W. GEARY, Governor of the said Commonwealth. To all to Whom these Presents shall Come, SENDS GREETING: Know Ye, That the Attestation or Certificate hereunto attached is in due form and made by the proper officer, and that Isaac B. Gara whose name is subscribed thereto, was at the time of subscribing the same, and now is ["a" stricken out] Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth, duly appointed and Commissioned, and full Full Faith and Credit are due and ought to be given to his official acts accordingly. [SEAL.] Given under my Hand and the Great Seal of the State, at Harrisburg, the 26th day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine and of the Commonwealth the ninety-third JNO. W. GEARY By the Governor: Governor. F. JORDAN Secretary of the Commonwealth. I have the honor to transmit to you, a copy of a Resolution of the General Assembly of the State of Arkansas, ratifying the 15th Amendment to the Constitution of the U. S— I am with great respect, Your Obedt Servant POWELL CLAYTON Joint Resolution ratifying an Act of Congress two thirds of both Houses concurring and proffered to the Legislatures of the several States for ratification as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States. Whereas the Congress of the United States has submitted to the several States for their action thereon by joint resolution,—two thirds of both houses concurring,—the following Article (15) fifteen, as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States: viz. Article Fifteen. Section One "The right of Citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States, or by any State on account of race color or previous condition of servitude." Section Two. "The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation." Be it therefore resolved by the General Assembly of the State of Arkansas that the foregoing recited Article Fifteen (15) be and the same is hereby fully approved and ratified as a part of the Constitution of the United States GEORGE M. FRENCH J. M. JOHNSON President of the Senate Speaker of the House of Representatives. Approved March 30th 1869. POWELL CLAYTON Governor State of Arkansas. Office of Secretary of State I Robert J. T. White, Secretary of State, Arkansas, Certify that the foregoing Joint Resolution is a true Copy of the original Roll now on file in my Office. [SEAL.] In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand ROBERT J. T. White |