Fine Books and Manuscripts

"Preamble and Resolutions Adopted by the General Assembly of Virginia, January the 19th, 1861." [Richmond], 1861. 8vo (249 x 200 mm). Single folded leaf. In January 1861, Gov. John Letcher convened a special session of the Virginia General Assembly, which passed an act calling for an election on February 4th to select delegates for the Virginia Convention. On January 19, 1861, the General Assembly passed a joint resolution inviting other states to a Peace Conference in Washington, D.C., appointing John Tyler, William C. Rives, John W. Brockenbrough, James A. Seddon and George W. Summers as commissioners representing Virginia. The Conference was the final attempt made by the individual states on the eve of the Civil War to preserve the Union. The resolution failed, and following the Virginia Convention which convened later in February, Virginia seceded from the Union. EXCEEDINGLY RARE.