These joint commissioners made a formal compact between Virginia and the Confederate States on the 25th of April, the day after the Convention had adopted the Confederate Constitution.

By this compact, Virginia, "looking to a speedy union with the Confederate States," placed "the whole military force of the Commonwealth under the control and direction of the Confederate States, upon the same basis and footing as if said Commonwealth were now a member of said Confederacy." Without waiting for the decision of the people on the question of secession, the national flag was removed from the public buildings, and the Confederate flag was raised.

All the property of the General Government was seized and, by an article in the agreement with the Confederate commissioner, was in due time to be turned over to the Montgomery government.

In short, the State Government of Virginia proceeded in its mad career of hostility to the Union, without the slightest regard to the future decision of the people on the important issue which in form had been submitted to them.
They evidently intended to make a rejection of the Disunion ordinance impossible.

For their own honor, the man who contrived and guided these proceedings would better have adopted the bold precedent of those States which refused altogether to submit the ordinance to popular vote.
It ought not to escape notice that General Robert E.Lee is not entitled to the defense so often made for him, that in joining the Disunion movement he followed the voice of his State.