If not putative, then perhaps dubious. In June 1861, the northwest Virginia counties (approximately 1/4 of the total in Virginia) at a convention in Wheeling declared themselves to be the "restored government of Virginia," electing Francis Pierpont as governor. At the same time, another convention also in Wheeling, and also representing essentially the same counties, was proceeding to establish the "new state" of West Virginia. The "restored government of Virginia" voted to approve the "new state of West Virginia." In June, 1863, Congress recognized the "new state." Pierpont's "restored government" was now in the wrong state, so he moved it to Alexandria, which was under the control of the Union. The "Constitution of 1864" was adopted by a convention of 14 counties and three cities, each represented by one delegate, but it was never submitted to a public referendum. The "restored government" was a charade, recognized by the federal administration as an expedient in the war. As part of the constitutional history of Virginia, the Constitution of 1864 is largely ignored (See references in Commentaries on the Constitution of Virginia, by Howard). When the Virginia government in Richmond fell in April 1865, Pierpont moved to Richmond and Pres. Andrew Johnson by Executive Order declared the "restored government" as the official government of Virginia. However in 1867, Congress passed the Reconstruction Acts, created a military district to govern Virginia, and effectively ended the Pierpont administration and the Constitution of 1864. Virginia later adopted the Constitution of 1869. Richard E. Dixon -----Original Message----- From: Discussion of research and writing about Virginia history [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Bearss, Sara (LVA) Sent: Thursday, December 03, 2009 2:40 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [VA-HIST] Constitution of 1864 There's no "putative" about it--Virginia did have an effective Constitution of 1864. The Virginia Convention of 1864, called by the loyal Restored Government meeting in Alexandria during the Civil War, had seventeen members representing the counties of Accomack, Alexandria, Charles City, Elizabeth City, Fairfax, James City, Loudoun, New Kent, Norfolk, Northampton, Princess Anne, Warwick, and York, and the cities of Alexandria, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Williamsburg. The convention, which met in Alexandria from February 13 through April 11, 1864, adopted the Constitution of 1864 It abolished slavery and for the first time required voting by paper ballot for state officers and members of the General Assembly. Members of the convention proclaimed the new constitution in effect, rather than submitting it to voters for approval in a popular referendum. Initially only the areas of northern and eastern Virginia then under Union control recognized the authority of the Constitution of 1864, but after the fall of the Confederacy in May 1865 it became effective for all of Virginia and remained in effect until July 1869. About the only secondary source you will find on this constitution is John Dinan, "The Virginia State Constitution: A Reference Guide" (Westport, Conn.: Praeger Publishers, 2006), pp. 11-12, although (if I may modestly toot my own horn) I have written an entry on it for the online Encyclopedia Virginia, which will publish it shortly. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 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. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- -----Original Message----- From: Discussion of research and writing about Virginia history [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of William Stein Sent: Thursday, December 03, 2009 2:16 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [VA-HIST] Constitution of 1864 Greetings, I am a librarian in Southwest Virginia. I have a patron who is looking for information on the putative Constitution of 1864 which abolished slavery in Virginia. Everything we have that talks about the various constitutions emits the 1864 Constitution. Is there a source I am overlooking that might help my patron in her research? Kindest regards, Will Stein, Reference Librarian Washington County PL Abingdon, VA. ______________________________________ To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html ______________________________________ To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html