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| Gov. Henry M. Rector, of Arkansas |
| On
January 15, 1861, the Arkansas Legislature passed an act that called
for an election (on February 18) on the question of whether the state
would hold a convention, as well as who the delegates might be.
The convention was approved, so the governor, Henry M. Rector, called
it in to session on March 4, 1861. The convention delegates were
mostly "conditional Unionists," meaning they would support the Federal
Government only so long as no "coercive" measures were taken against
the seceding states. The convention rejected secession (narrowly)
on March 18, but then voted unanimously
the next day to put the secession question before the people of the
state in an August referendum, and on March 20 passed a series of resolutions
that can only be described as extremely "proslavery." After
President Lincoln called for troops to put down the rebellion that
began at Fort Sumter, Arkansas seceded on May 6, 1861. |
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PROCLAMATION BY THE GOVERNOR ————— STATE OF ARKANSAS. To the Delegates elected to the State Convention
in said State—Greeting: Whereas, The General Assembly of the
State of Arkansas, on the 15th day of January, 1861, passed an act entitled “An
act to provide for a State Convention,” to be held in the capitol, on the 4th
of March, 1861; provided, a majority of all the votes cast on the 18th day of
February, 1861, the day of election designated by said act, should be for a
convention; And Whereas, in pursuance of said act, and a
proclamation of the governor, issued to the sheriffs of the several counties in
this State, on the 16th day of January, 1861, said election was held on the
18th day of February, 1861; And whereas, it appears upon counting the
votes cast, that a majority of eleven thousand five hundred and eighty-six are “for
convention.” Therefore, I, Henry M. Rector, Governor, in virtue of authority in me vested
by said act, authorize and direct said delegates elected for the several
counties, to assemble in convention at the capitol, on the 4th day of March,
1861, for the objects and purposes, by said act of the General Assembly,
intended. ln testimony whereof, I
have hereunto set my hand, and HENRY M. RECTOR. |
Back to Civil War Chronologies (Main page) Back to Chronology of the Fort Sumter Crisis Source: Journal of Both Sessions of the Convention of the State of Arkansas, p. 5. Date added to website: January 9, 2025. |