Virginia Secedes from the Union and joins the Confederacy

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/21/2021

Imprint, "Acts Of The General Assembly of the State Of Virginia, Passed in 1861", printed by William F. Ritchie, Public Printer, Richmond (VA.), Fine. This highly important book contains the Acts and Laws promulgated in Virginia at the beginning of the Civil War after that State seceded from the Union in 1861. It is bound in the original 3/4 marbled covers with a calf spine. This historic Volume measures 9.25" x 6" and contains 379 Pages (includes the Index) and has a bonus Appendix of "Ordinances Adopted by the Convention Of Virginia In Secret Session in April and May 1861", represented by 73 pages (including the Index). The pages from 1 to 272 are bright and crisp; the remaining pages show varying degrees of toning. Some minor waterstaining is noted on the bottom of most pages. This is an historic book that reflected the changes in Virginia law following the momentous occasion of secession. The most important, first Act passed in 1861 had to do with raising money and imposing taxes on a list of 62 items, including "Slaves bought for profit", "daguerrian artists" (these would have been those newfangled photographers), "agents for hiring negros", "bowling alleys", "quack medicines", etc. Many of the laws relate to renewing charters for some of the various Virginia banks (these would be familiar to collectors of Obsolete Currency). Chapter 165 (on page 251) is a most unusual law titled "An ACT providing for the voluntary enslavement of George, Shed, Sam and Suket, persons of color in the County of Buckingham". Apparently these four Slaves had been freed by their master upon his death, yet here they are seeking a new master. This law was followed by similar ones for other slaves and also pardons and restorations for others. "An ORDINANCE to repeal the ratification of the Constitution of the United States of America, by the State of Virginia, and to resume all the rights and powers granted under said Constitution." is located in the Appendix, being the first Act of the Secret Session. This, in fact, was Virginia's actual ACT OF SECESSION. The 3rd Act sealed the deal by adopting the Constitution of the Provisional Government of the Confederate States of America. Confederate Currency collectors will appreciate Act No. 35, an Ordinance authorizing the issue of Treasury Notes. This extensive Volume is full of essential historic information, and gives the reader a good idea of what was important to Virginian legislators as they began to separate from the Union.

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