Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-04-30
BY THE GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA.
PROOF

A PROCLAMATION.
Whereas, the Convention OF this Oommon"eath
has, on this. the 25th day of April, 1861, adopt
ed an ordinance ssfor the adoption OF the Constl-
tuition of the Provisional Government OF the
Confederated States of America ~ and has a.
greed to a sOonvention between the Common
wealth of Virginia and the Confederate States
of America which it is proper should be made
known to the people of tins Commonwealth ana
to the world:
Therefore. I. John Letcher Governor of the
Commonwealth of Virginia, do hereby publish.
and proclaim that the following are authentic
copies of the Ordinance and Convention afore-
said.
(~l Given under my hand as Governor,
IL. 8. and under the seal OF the Common
f--i wealth, at Richmond, this 25th day of
April. 1861. and in the S5th year of the Com
monwealth. JOHN LETOHER.
By the Governor:
GEORGE W. MUNFoRD,
Secretary OF the Commonwealth.
AN ORDINANCE
For the adoption Of the Constitution of the Pro-
uisionaJ Government of the Confederate States
of Anaerlcd.
We, the delegates of the people of Virginia, in
Convention assembled, solemEly impressed by
the perils which surround the Commonwealth,
and appealing to the Searcher of hearts for the
recitude OF cur intentions in assuming the grave
responsibility of this act, do. by this Ordinance,
adopt and ratity the Constitution of the Provis-
ioiial Government of the Confederate States of
America ordained and established at Montgom-
cry, Alabama on the eighth day of February,
eighteen hundred and sixty-one; provided thst
this Ordinance shall cease to have any legal OPP
Grafton or effect, if the people of this Common
wealth, upon the vote directed to be taken on
the Ordinance of Secession passed by this Con
vention, on the 18th day of April, eighteen hun
dred aud sizty-one, shall reject the same.
"a true Copy,l JNO. L. EUBANK, Sec'y
Oonuention 5etaceen the Commonwealth of Vir-
gina and the Confederate States of Anerica.
The Commonwealth of Virginia, looking to a
speedy union OF said Commonwealth and the
other slave States with the Confederate States OF
America, according to the provisions of the Con-
stituton for the Provisional Government of said
States, enters into the following temporary con-
veotion and agreement with said States for the
purpose of meeting pressing exigencies affecting
the common rights, interests and safety of said
Commonwealth and said Oonfederacy.
1st Until the union OF said Commonwealth
with said Confederacy shall be perfected, and
said Commonwealth shall become a member of
said Oonfederacy, according to the Constitutions
of both powers, the whole military force and
military operations, offensive and defensive, of
said Commonwealth, in the impending conflict
with the United States, shall be under the chief
2 control and direction of the President of said
Confederate States, upon the same principles.
basis and footing as if said Commonwealth were
now, and during the interval, member of said
Confederacy.
I'd. The Common wealth of Virginia will after
the consummation Of the Union contemplated in
Hn IL. A.
stitution for permanent Government of the
said Confederate States, and she shall become 8
member OF said Confederacy under said perIna-
nent Constitution, if the same occur, turn ovel
to the said Confederate States all the public prop
erty, naval stores, and munitions of war, &c. she
may then be ia possession OF, acquired from the
United States, on the same terms and in like
manner as the other states of said Contederacy
have done in like cases.
Sd. Whatever expenditures of money, If any
said Commonwealth of Virginia shall make be-
fore the Union, under the Provisional Govern
ment as above contemplated, shall be met and
provided for by said Confederate States
This Convention entered into and agreed to-
in the city of Richmond, Virginia. on the TWEEN
ty-tourth day of April. 1861 by Alexander Ill
Stephens, the duly authorized Commissioner to
act in the matter for the said Confederate States
and John Tyler, VIM. Ballard Preston, Samuel
McD. Moore James T. Hocombe, James g.
Bruce, aud Lewis E. Harvie, .partes duly authori-
zed to act in Ike manner for said Common wealth
OF Vlrgiuia-tbe whole subject to the approval
and ratification of the proper authorities of both
Governments respectively.
Ia testimony whereof, the parties aforesaid
have hereto set their hands and seals, the day
and year aforesaid, and at the place aforesaid.
in duplicate originals.
ALEx'R H. STEPHENS, GSsal.7
Commissioner for Confederate States.