cided to call a convention in December to discuss the military situation. This convention was of the opinion that Virginia ought to be asked to grant a separation, as otherwise the good of the western counties would be prejudiced; but fearing a lack of authority, the question was referred to another convention to meet in May, 1785. This convention also found it expedient to refer the situation to another, called to meet almost immediately, in August. A request for autonomy was formally made to Virginia and addreses were made to the people setting forth the necessity of separation. During the course of these events a strong party had sprung up, so bent on separation as to be willing to go to the greatest lengths in order to obtain it. The talk even thus early was needlessly violent, and pointed to more vigorous measures than the necessity of the case seems to have demanded. To men of this stamp the news that Virginia, by an act passed in January, 1786, had acceded to the request for a separation was almost a disappointment. This act authorizing the people to erect themselves into a State is generally known as the first enabling act. Its full text was not received until some time after the rumor of its passage had arrived. When it was known, certain conditions contained therein came as a relief to the extreme party. They were simple and proper, but some of them were very unpopular. The principal conditions required, first, the adoption of a proper constitution, a participation in the debt of the old State, a recognition of old land-grants, and equal treatment to Virginia land-
