Wednesday February 13, 1861
Virginia Secession Convention Meets
Delegates, who had been elected on February 4, gathered in Richmond, Virginia, to consider the issue of secession. Those opposing immediate secession-- labeled "Cooperationists" or "Unionists"-- overwhelmingly outnumbered the radicals.
The convention rejected immediate secession, but remained in session. It awaited events and prepared to act if the federal government attempted to coerce the South.
Bibliography: Potter, Impending Crisis, pp. 507-13; Potter,
Lincoln and His Party, pp. 354-56; Nicolay and Hay,
Lincoln, 3: 422-23.