April 9, 1861
States Right Convention
At a Convention of the Southern States Right party of Jackson County, and that of Roane county voting with Jackson, held at the town of Spencer in Roane county, March 6, 1861, held in pursuance of previous notice.
John Goff, Esq., was appointed President, and John W. Cain, Secretary.
Messrs. O. L. C. Hinesman and H. Thomas from Jackson, and A. G. Baily and J. G. Thomasson, from Roane addressed the meeting, which was largely attended by citizens of Roane and Jackson.
On motion of Mr. Hinesman, it was unanimously resolved:
That the meeting be called a Convention of the Southern States Rights party, to nominate a candidate to represent Jackson county in the next Legislature of Virginia.
On motion of Dr. A. G. Baily, resolved, That a committee of five be appointed on credentials, and to report the basis of representation.
Whereupon the President appointed the following gentlemen:
John P. Thompson, W. R. Goff, and A. G. Baily, of Roane; E. B. Wright and O. L. C. Hinesman of Jackson.
The committee retired, and after a short time presented their report, as follows:
We, the Committee appointed respectfully represent, that we have agreed upon the basis of the votes which Roane and Jackson are entitled respectively to as follows: Jackson 500 and Roane 300 votes, and the delegates present of these counties to cast the vote of said counties, which report was unanimously adopted.
On motion of E. B. Wright, G. W. Duvall, Esq., of Roane county, was nominated by acclamation, as the candidate of the Convention to represent Jackson and Roane in the next General Assembly of Virginia.
Mr. Duvall, on being called, accepted the nomination in a few well made remarks.
On motion, it was ordered, That the proceedings of this Convention be published in the Virginia Chronicle, Kanawha V. Star, and Parkersburg News.
On motion, the Convention adjourned sine die.
JOHN GOFF, Prest.
John W. Cain, Secy.
Timeline of West Virginia: Civil War and Statehood: March 1861