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Abolishment of Slavery
in West Virginia

[Extract from proceedings of the West Virginia House of Delegates, February 3, 1865]

Wheeling Intelligencer
February 4, 1865


The House bill for the abolishment of slavery in this State was taken up.

Mr. Haymond moved to amend the bill so as to pay the owners for their slaves.

Mr. Burley moved to limit the value to $300.

1st both amendments were promptly rejected, the rules suspended, and the bill passed by the following vote:

Yeas - Messrs. Atkinson, Bechtol, Bowen, Brown, Burley, Chambers Corley, Dunbar, Farnsworth, Hawkins, Kitchen, Mahon, Peck, Phelps, Price, Slack, and Stevenson, (President) - 17.

Nay - Mr. Haymond.

Mr. Atkinson, (sotto voce) Slavery is dead at last.

Mr. Peck - Yes, and the smoke of its torment ascendeth up forever and ever!


African Americans

West Virginia Archives and History