Constitution of the State of West Virginia, November 26, 1861
The constitution of the new state of West Virginia was drafted at a convention held in Wheeling on November 26, 1861 and approved by the delegates on February 18, 1862. The constitution would later be amended to include the gradual emancipation of slaves as required by Congress to achieve statehood. West Virginia ratified the amended constitution March 26, 1863.
Constitution of the State of West Virginia, November 26, 1861; Records of the U.S. House of Representatives, Rg 233.