Hillsborough Recorder (NC)

May 15, 1861

Page 2

Apr. 22, 1861—The oath to support the Constitution of the United States is duly binding so long as a man is a citizen of a State of the Union. When she secedes he is no longer bound. He is a citizen of Virginia, which has ceased to be one of the United States, and his allegiance is due to Virginia.

This is my well-settled opinion, and I act upon it. For I am as an officer bound to support the Constitution of the United States; but when Virginia secedes, I feel I am absolved from my oath, and am bound only to support Virginia.

J. B. TUCKER

[Transcribed by Sharon Strout]