As an addendum to Harold Forsythe's list of dates associated with
emancipation and the end of slavery in Virginia, let me note one that
was written out of the history books.  The Restored government meeting
in Alexandria held a constitutional convention from February to April
1864. The handful of counties then under Union control drafted and
implemented a new constitution that abolished slavery in Virginia. After
the fall of the Confederate government in Richmond in April 1865, the
Restored government became the state government of Virginia and brought
with it the Constitution of 1864.  In his opening message to the
Restored General Assembly of 1864-1865, Governor Francis Pierpont noted
optimistically that "on the 20th day of March, 1864--a day that will
hereafter be made memorable in the history of Virginia, the convention,
with but one dissenting vote, passed amendments to the Constitution of
the State abolishing and prohibiting slavery and involuntary servitude
therein forever."  We've forgotten that constitution--let alone that
action and that date.



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Sara B. Bearss
[log in to unmask]
Senior Editor, Dictionary of Virginia Biography
The Library of Virginia
800 E. Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23221-8000
 
Friends don't let friends split infinitives.
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