Petition of Citizens from Jefferson County against Transfer of County to West Virginia, endorsed December 12, 1865
This petition from citizens of Jefferson County argues against the transfer of the county from Virginia to West Virginia. The petitioners claim that the transfer occurred under illegal circumstances and that the vote to transfer the counties to West Virginia did not represent the desires of the majority of Jefferson County citizens. They ask Congress to oppose the counties’ transfer to West Virginia or to hold another vote among the citizens on the matter. The request for another vote implies concerns regarding the legitimacy of the one held in 1863.