University of Virginia Library

THE SECOND WHEELING CONVENTION—THE RESTORED GOVERNMENT.

On the 23d day of May, 1861, the vote was taken on the ordinance
of secession. The result showed the sentiment of the people west of the
Alleghanies. Out of about 44,000 votes polled in the counties now
comprising West Virginia, 40,000 were recorded against secession.
Delegates were elected on the 4th of June, and what is known as the
second Wheeling convention met on the 11th of the same month at
Washington Hall, in that city. Seventy-seven delegates, representing
thirt-yfive counties, were present. The committee on permanent organization
reported the names of Arthur J. Boreman, of Wood county,
for president, and G. L. Cranmer, of Ohio county, for secretary. A
committee consisting of thirteen members was appointed, to report business
to the convention. The members of that committee, the report of
which became the foundation for the new State, were as follows: Carlisle,
of Harrison; Lamb, of Ohio; Pierpont, of Marion; Hagans, of
Preston; Van Winkle, of Wood; Berkshire, of Monongalia; Polsley,
of Mason; Boreman, of Wood; Caldwell, of Marshall; Frost, of Jackson;
Porter, of Hancock; Farnsworth, of Upshur; and Copley, of Wayne.

On the third day they submitted a report entitled "A Declaration of
the People of Virginia, represented in convention at the city of Wheeling,
Thursday, June 13, 1861." Among many other things set forth, it was
declared that "the preservation of the dearest rights and liberties, and
security in person and property, imperatively demand the reorganization
of the government of the commonwealth." * * * "And that the
offices of all who adhere to the said convention [that of Richmond],
whether legislative, executive or judicial, are vacated."

The report was adopted on the 17th, and the convention at once proceeded
to reorganize the government of Virginia.

On the 19th, an ordinance for the reorganization of the State government
was passed, as follows:

"The people of the State of Virginia, by their delegates assembled in
convention at Wheeling, do ordain as follows:

"1. A governor, lieutenant-governor and attorney-general for the
State of Virginia, shall be appointed by this convention to discharge the
duties and exercise the powers which pertain to their respective offices by
the existing laws of the State, and to continue in office for six months,
or until their successors be elected and qualified; and the general assembly
is required to provide by law for an election of governor and lieutenant-governor
by the people as soon as in their judgment such an election
can be properly held." * * * * *

The following oath was prescribed to be taken by the various officers
elected by the convention before entering upon the discharge of the
duties of their respective offices:

"I solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of

the United States, and the laws made in pursuance thereof, as the supreme
law of the land, anything in the constitution and laws of the State
of Virginia, or in the ordinances of the convention which assembled at
Richmond on the 13th of February, 1861, to the contrary notwithstanding;
and that I will uphold and defend the government of Virginia as
vindicated and restored by the convention which assembled at Wheeling
on the 11th of June, 1861."

In compliance with the first clause of the ordinance, the convention, on
the 20th of June, proceeded to the election of officers. Francis H. Pierpont,
of Marion, was chosen governor of Virginia, and Daniel Polsley,
of Mason, lieutenant-governor. On the 24th, James S. Wheat, of Ohio
county, was chosen attorney-general.

The convention, having thus restored the government, elected a chief
executive and provided for the election of all other officers pertaining to
the State government, adjourned to meet again on the first Tuesday in
August ensuing.