What an amazing piece of history, the very document that was the catalyst for the greatest struggle and loss of life ever to touch the colonies. This is the very booklet that lays out the reasons behind the withdrawing of South Carolina from the Union. It was published by the Congress of said state in 1860. Within the nine page booklet, the Congress of South Carolina lays out the basis for the formation of the original 13 colonies and the issue of a states right to govern themselves and to absolve any allegiance to the Union once the original contracts between them had been broken by the Federal government. It discusses the refusal of Northern states to return fugitives, i.e. slaves, back to the original owners and the election of a president in 1860 whose belief that a “Government cannot endure permanently half slave, half free”. The last few pages deal with the order to “dissolve the Union between the State of South Carolina and the other States united with her under the compact entitled “The Constitution of the United States of America”. This is followed by the printed names of all the members of the Congress of South Carolina. As to condition, it has survived in surprisingly incredible shape. The spine is near perfect with just a 1/4” split and small chip at bottom left corner. The color has toned but the paper is quite pliable. The back cover has three small age spots and a 1/2” tear at bottom hinge as well. The incredible content and condition of this historical little booklet is worthy of a museum. Within its nine pages is laid out the entire basis and reason behind the ensuing War Between the States in a language that , once read, the logic of which cannot be denied. Having read volumes on the Civil War, this puts the real issue in succinct simple language that is both intriguing and frightening at the same time. You are literally holding the history of our countries greatest cataclysmic event in the palm of your hands.