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. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 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. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html