Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-05-01


Given under my hand as Governor. and
{ J under the seal of the Commonwealth, at
LIS Richmand, this 25th day Of April, 1861,
~ and in the s5th year OF the. Common
wealth. JOHN LETCHEh'
By the Governor:
GEORGE w. MuNroRD, .,
Secretary of the Commonwealth.
AN ORDINANCE
For the adoption Of tho Constatnt,on o. inc fTooa
s;onal Government OF the Confederate States Of
We the delegates of the people Of Virginia, in
Convention assembled, solemnly impressed by the
perils which surround the Commonwealth, ana ap.
healing to the Searcher Of hearts for the rectltude OF
our intentions in assuming the grave responsibility
Of this act do, by this Ordinance, adopt and ratyy
the Constitution of the Provisional Government Of
the Confederate States of America ordained and es-
tabished at Montgomery, Alabama, on the eighth
dav If February eighteen hundred and sixty -one /;
nroved that this Ordinance shall cease to have any
legal operation or effect if the people Of this Com
monwe.lth. upon the vote directed to be taken on
the Ordinance of Secession passed by this Conven-
tion on the 18th day OF April, eighteen hundred and
sixty-one, shall reject the same A true copy.
jNO. L. EUBANK, Secretary.
Convention bet,ceen the Commonwealth Of p'rg'n'a
COHJCUCFU6
The Commonwealth ofyirginia, looking to speedy
union of said Commonwealth and the other slave
States with the Confederate States Of America, &C.
cordng to the provisions Of the Constitution for the
Provisional Government of said States, enters into
the following temporary convention and agreement
with said States for the purpose of meeting pressing
exigencies affecting the common rights interests and
safety of said Commonwealth and said Contederacy.
LIST. Until the union of said Commonwealth with
said Confederacy shall be perfected, and said Com
monweath shall become a member OF said Conied
eracy, according to the Constitutions OF both pow
ers 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 control and direction Of the Pres
dent of said Confederate States upon the same prn
ciples, basis and footing as if said Commonwealth
were now, and during the interval member Of said
3D. The Commonwealth Of Virginia will. after the
contamination of the Union contemplated in this
Convention, and her adoption OF the Constitution
for permanent Government of the said Confederate
States and she shall become member OF said Con-
federacy under said permanent Constitution, if the
same occur turn over to the said Confederate States
all the public property naval stores, and munitions
of war, &C., she may then be in possession OF, &C.
ouired from the United States, on the same terms
and in like manner as the other States OF SAID Con-
federacy have done in like cases.
3D. Whatever expenditures Of money, il any, said
Commonwealth Of Virginia shall make before the
Union, under the Provisional Government as above
contemplated, shall be consummated, 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 twenty fourth
day of April, 1861, by Alexander H. Stephens, the
duly authorized Commissioner to act in the matter
for the Confederate States, and John Tyler, VIM
Ballard Preston, Samuel Med Moore, James P. Hol-
connie, James c. Bruce and Lewis E. Harvie, par
ties duly authorized to act in like manner for said
Commonwealth of Virginia-the whole subject to
the approval and ratification of the proper authori
ties Of both Governments respectively.
In 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