In this annotated volume of primary source documents from Secession Winter, Dwight Pitcaithley presents speeches by Virginians from the United States Congress, the Washington Peace Conference, and the state's secession convention to provide readers a glimpse into Virginia's ultimate decision to secede from the Union.

"This books collects amendments to the Constitution of the United States that Virginians proposed during the secession crisis alongside select speeches of the state's political leaders. Editor Dwight T. Pitcaithley's selection and introduction emphasize that advocates and opponents of secession alike wanted to protect slavery and the interests of enslavers in Virginia. Among the documents are Governor Letcher's January 7, 1861, address to the General Assembly; speeches given at the Washington Peace Conference, US Senate, and House of Representatives; and the state's secession convention. Chapter 6 contains the sixteen constitutional amendments proposed by Virginians. The volume also includes a timeline for Secession Winter and questions for discussion"--