Beschreibung:

KENTUCKY - CIVIL WAR] Declaration of Independence and Constitution of the Provisional Government of the State of Kentucky, together with the message of the Governor . Bowling Green: W. N. Haldeman, State Printer, 1861. Disbound pamphlet. 7 5/8 x 5 1/4 inches (19 x 13 cm); 16 pp. Title stamped and with ink numeral to header, wear where formerly bound including small losses from cords and binding paper affixed along gutter, light foxing. "Be it ordained, that we do hereby forever sever our connection with the Government of the United States, and in the name of the people, we do hereby declare Kentucky to be A FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATE, clothed with all power to fix her own rights and liberties" - so reads the Declaration of Independence at the beginning of this extremely rare and important Kentucky Confederate imprint, considered the first printed in the state. In May 1861, Kentucky declared itself neutral in the escalating conflict, but this was violated when Confederate troops entered Columbus in September and again that same month when in reaction the Union flag was raised over Frankfort. In November 1861, a convention of Southern sympathizers was called at Russellville and a newly formed Provisional Government elected George W. Johnson governor of the state and chose Bowling Green as the Confederate capital of Kentucky (where this pamphlet was printed before year's end). Although this Provisional Government never replaced the existing state legislature, it was recognized by the Confederacy, and Kentucky was entered into the CSA in December 1861. Shortly thereafter, fighting in the state pushed the Provisional Government into Tennessee and Governor Johnson was killed in the Battle of Shiloh. This is an excessively rare document of this short-lived but important government in one of the most strategic and divisive states of the war. We trace only three records of the book at auction in the past 30 years, one of these copies likely sold twice, and few institutional holdings. A RARE AND IMPORTANT CONFEDERATE IMPRINT. Sabin 37503; Parrish & Willingham 2971. C The New York City Bar Association