Hening's distinction without a difference:  The difference is that VA became a commonwealth upon its approval of the constitution of 1776, in which it declared itself to be a commonwealth (maybe someone pointed that out).  So for now I'll admit that Hening's labeling the 1775-1776 period as the "interregnum" did not necessarily mean he anticipated America selecting a new king.  Rather, it would appear to mean that the VA legislature was acting on no one's authority, nor any legal instrument's, but their own.    

The other colonies were urged to issue new constitutions in 1776 as well -- which they all did except Rhode Island.  PA called itself "the Commonwealth or State of Pennsylvania," as did Vermont -- although they were not one of the original 13...upon statehood, PA revised its constitution to read "the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania" and VT revised its to read "the State of Vermont."

Others were "The Colony of New Jersey," for instance, and did not identify themselves as states until actual statehood.

I'm not sure if RI not issuing a new constitution in 1776 or shortly thereafter indicates support for the royalists or not...I guess I'll have to join RI-HIST.  RI was the last of the 13 to approve the U.S. Constitution. 

Joe McCollum


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