THE 1783 TREATY OF PARIS ENDED THE WAR BETWEEN THE COLONIES AND GREAT BRITAIN. ITS FIRST ARTICLE DECLARED THE 13 COLONIES "TO BE FREE, SOVEREIGN AND INDEPENDENT STATES." THESE 13 SOVEREIGN NATIONS CAME TOGETHER IN 1787; AS PRINCIPALS AND CREATED THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AS THEIR AGENT. PRINCIPALS HAVE ALWAYS HELD THE RIGHT TO FIRE AGENTS. IN OTHER WORDS, STATES HELD A RIGHT TO WITHDRAW FROM THE PACT — SECEDE.
