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West Virginia: Polity Style: 1863-2024

6 Nov 1861 the formation of a new state to be called the State of Kanawha out of a portion of the territory of Virginia is agreed in accordance with an ordinance adopted by a Convention held at Wheeling on 20 Aug 1861, ratified by a popular vote on 24 Oct 1861, the results of the vote are certified by the proclamation of the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia issued on 6 Nov 1861 (Virginia Convention Journal 1861, pp. 64-67; Wheeling Daily Intelligencer, No. 82, 7 Nov 1861, p. 2) [1][2]
18 Apr 1862 the Constitution of West Virginia is adopted by the Constitutional Convention held at Wheeling on 18 Feb 1862 and ratified by a popular vote on 3 Apr 1862, the results of the vote are certified by the proclamation of the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia issued on 18 Apr 1862 (West Virginia Convention Debates 1861-1863, 3:449; West Virginia Convention Journal 1861-1862, p. 179; Wheeling Daily Intelligencer, No. 221, 19 Apr 1862, p. 2) [2]
13 May 1862 the consent of the Legislature of Virginia is given to the formation and erection of the State of West Virginia, within the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in accordance with an act passed by the General Assembly of Virginia (House of Delegates on 10 May 1862, Senate on 12 May 1862 with amendments, the amendments were rejected by the House of Delegates on 13 May 1862, Senate withdrew the amendments on 13 May 1862) (Virginia Session Laws (Wheeling) 1862, p. 3) [3][4]
31 Dec 1862 the State of West Virginia is provisionally admitted to the United States in accordance with an act passed by the Congress of the United States (Senate on 14 Jul 1862, House of Representatives on 10 Dec 1862), signed into law on 31 Dec 1862 on condition of the amendment of the Constitution of West Virginia to be passed by the Constitutional Convention of West Virginia, approved by a popular vote and certified by a proclamation of the President of the United States (Statutes at Large, 12:633-634) [5]
16 Apr 1863 the Amended Constitution of West Virginia is adopted by the Constitutional Convention held at Wheeling on 18 Feb 1863 and ratified by a popular vote on 26 Mar 1863, the results of the vote are certified by the President and the Executive Committee of the Constitutional Convention of West Virginia on 16 Apr 1863 (West Virginia Convention Debates 1861-1863, 3:729-731; Wheeling Daily Intelligencer, No. 204, 17 Apr 1863, p. 2)
20 Jun 1863 the State of West Virginia is admitted to the United States in accordance with the proclamation of the President of the United States issued on 20 Apr 1863, effective from and after 60 days from the date of the proclamation (20 Jun 1863) (Statutes at Large, 13:731-732)
20 Jun 1863 - State of West Virginia
  1. Full title: An Ordinance to provide for the formation of a new State out of a portion of the territory of this State.
  2. The proclamation was issued by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia (Pierpont), claiming the authority in opposition to the Constitutionally elected Governor (Letcher).
  3. Full title: An Act giving the consent of the Legislature of Virginia to the formation and erection of a new State within the jurisdiction of this State.
  4. The act was passed by the General Assembly, claiming legislative authority in opposition to the Constitutionally elected General Assembly which never consented to the creation of the State of West Virginia.
  5. Full title: An Act for the Admission of the State of "West Virginia" into the Union and for other Purposes.