Letcher and Va. secession

[atlantis]

Letcher did not have to call for a secession convention in late November of 1860. He was also weak in protecting unionist delegates to the convention and ensuring a honest vote on the ordinance by the voters. He doesn't appear to be a fire eater so how do we explain his conduct. For example he allowed former gov wise to seize the arsenal at harpers ferry even though Va. was still in union.