all persons of color who were slaves for life previous to their emigration to texas , and who are now held in bondage , shall remain in the like state of servitude ... congress ( of texas ) shall pass no laws to prohibit emigrants from the united state of america from bringing their slaves into the republic with them ... nor shall congress have the power to emancipate slaves ; nor shall any slaveholder be allowed to emancipate his or her slave or slaves ... no free person of african descent either in whole or in part shall be permitted to reside permanently in the republic without the consent of congress . ''