In Virginia Francis H.Pierpont had been made governor after the State had seceded and the State of West Virginia had been established.

He was the head of the Loyal Government of Virginia, which gave its assent to the division of the State.

His Government, the shell of which had been preserved after West Virginia's separate existence had been recognized by the National Government, with its temporary capital at Alexandria, was accepted by President Johnson's Administration as the legitimate Government of Virginia.

All its archives, property, and effects, as was afterwards said by Thaddeus Stevens, were taken to Richmond in an ambulance.

As early as the 9th of May President Johnson had issued a proclamation recognizing Mr.Pierpont as governor of the State, and assuring him that he would be "aided by the Federal Government, so far as may be necessary, in the lawful measures he may take for the extension and administration of the State Government throughout the geographical limits of said State." The same proclamation declared that "All acts and proceedings of the political, military, and civil organizations which have been in a state of insurrection and rebellion within the State of Virginia against the laws and authority of the United States are declared null and void." The proclamation further declared that any person assuming to exercise any authority in Virginia by virtue of a military of civil commission issued by Jefferson Davis, President of the so-called Confederate States, or by John Letcher, or William Smith, Governors of Virginia, "shall be deemed and taken as in rebellion against the United States, and dealt with accordingly." A course not dissimilar to that adopted in Virginia was followed in Louisiana, Arkansas, and Tennessee.