Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-04-30
Reception of Maj. General Robert E. LIE

In conformity with aresolution offered BY Mr.
Macfarland, in the Convention. on Monday night
the 22nd inst, Col. Robert E. Lee, late OF the
United States Army, was formally received by
the Convention on yesterday, and the unanimous
confirmation of his appointment to the Office Of
Major General of the military and naval forces
of Virginia, made known to him by John jan
ney, Esq, President of the Convention, in behalf
OF that assembly. We give the particulars Of
this reception exactly as they TRANSFERRED
The President am informed that Maj. Gen
eral Lee is now in the Capitol and will present
himself whenever it be the pleasure of the Con.
vention to receive him.
Mr.. Morton--l would inquire whether appro-
pirate seats have been assigned for the Vice
President of the Confederated States and the
other invited guestsa :.
The President-Yes, sir. The Chair would
suggest that the invited guests be first introduced
into the Hall and assigned their seats before Ma.
ljor General Lee is invited into the Hall.
Mr.. Shefey-I would suggest, in conformity
with the suggestions of gentlemen around me-
that the Convention ought to receive Major Gen
eral Lee standing.
The President-The Chair would merely ask
the attention of the Convention to the sugges-
ton. - -
Mr.. johnson next introduced Judge Allen, q
member of the Advisory Council, to the Gov
ernOr.
Mr.. Critcher next introduced Col. Smith, oil
the Virginia Military Institute.
Mr.. Morlon-I would suggest whether it would
not be proper to receive the Vice President oil
the Confederate States standing.
/ The Pfesident-It will be SO understood by
the Convention.
At this stage of the proceedings, the Hon. A.
b. Stephens, Vice President of the Confederate
States, entered the Hall, accompanied by the
Governor, and was introduced to the President
by Mr.. Johnston, of Lee county, member Of
the committee appointed to invite and conduct
that gentleman to the Hail.
Mr.. Morton introduced Capt. N. F. Maury, late
OF the United States navy, who, with COL Smith,
| constitute the other members of the Advisory
Council
Every delegate was on his feet during this
ceremony.
The Governor and Mr.. Stephens were assigned
seats on the right of the President, and the three
members of the Advisory Council, on the left.
At this time, Major General Lee entered, lean
ing on the arm OF Mr.. johnson, of Richmond,
Chairman OF the committee appointed to con-
duct the distinguished military chief to the Hall
AS they reached the main aisle, Mr.. johnson
said: Mr.. President, have the honor to present
to you and to the Convention, Major General
Lee.
| The President-M Major General Lee-In the
name of the people of your native State, here
represented, bid you a cordial and heartfelt
| welcome to this Hall, in which we may almost
yet hear the echo of the voices of the statesmen,
the soldiers and sages Of bygone days. who have
borne your name and whose blood now flows in
| your veins.
We met in the month of February last charg-
ed with the solemn duty of protecting the rights
the honor and the interests of the people OF this
Commonwealth. We differed for time as to
the best means of accomplishing that object
but there never was, at any moment, a shade Of
difference amongst US as to the general object it
self and now, Virginia having taken her posi-
ton, as far as the power of this Convention ex
tends, we stand animated by one impulse, gov
erned by one desire and one determination, and
that is that she shall be defended and that nc
spot of her soil shall be polluted by the foot Of
an invader. s.
When the necessity became apparent of hav-
ing leader for our forces all hearts and all eyes
by the impulse of an instinct which is surel
guide than reason itself, turned to the old coun-
ty of Westmoreland. We knew how prolific
she had been, in the older days, of heroes and
statesmen. We knew she had given birth to the
Father of his Country; to Richard Henry Lee
i own gallant father, and we knew well, by your
own deeds, that her productive power was moi
! yet exhausted. ta
Sir, we have, by this unanimous vote, ex-
pressed our convictions that you are, at this day
among the living citizens of Virginia, first ii
war;" We pray to God most tervently that you
may so conduct the operations committed tC
your charge, that it will soon be said OF you thai
you are s'frst in peace" and when that time
comes you will have earned the still proudel
distinction of being s'frst in the hearts of your
/ countrymen."
/ will close with one more remark.
When the Father of bis Country made his last
will and testament, he gave his swords to his ia
vorite nephews with an injunction that they
should never be drawn from their scabbards, ex.
cept in self defence, or in defence of the rights
and liberties of their country, and, that if drawn
for the latter purpose, they should fall with them
III their hands, rather than relinquish them
4 Sir, we watched with the most profound and
intense interest the trlumphal march of the army
led by General Scott, to " hich you were attach
ed, from Vera Cruz to the Capitol of Mexico
4 we read of the sanguinaly conflicts and the blood
stained fields in all of which victory percbee
upon our banners; we knew of the unfad
ing lustre that was shed upon the American
arms by that campaign; and we know, also, wha'
your ~modesty has always disclaimed, that ne
small share of the glory of those achievement.
was due to your valor and your military genius
Sir, one of the proudest recollections of my
life will be the honor that l yesterday had o
submitting to this body the confirmation of the
nomination made by the Governor of this State
of you as Commander-in Chief of the military
and naval forces of this Commonwealth Ir, Sc
1 to put the question, and when asked If tn body
would advise and consent to that appointment
there rushed from the hearts to the tongues O.
all the members, an affirmative response thai
! told, with an emphasis that could leave no doubt
of the feeling whence it emanated put the
negative question for forms sake, but there was
an unbroken silence.
! Yesterday, your mother, Virginia, placed hel
sword in your hand upon the implied condition
that we know you will keep to the letter and in
spirit, and that you will draw it only in her de-
fence and that you will fall with it in your hand
rather than the object for which it was placed
there. shall fail. (Applause.)
Major General Lee-Mr President and gentle
man of the Convention: Profoundly impressed
with the solemnity of the occasion, for which
must say was not prepared, accept the posi-
ton assigned me by your partiaty. | would
have much preferred had your choice fallen upon
an ADLER man. Trusting in Almighty God, an
approving conscience, and the aid of my fellow
citizenss / devote myself to the service of nv
native State, In whose behalf alone, will ever
| again draw my sword. (Applause)
The Chair was then vacated, and some time
| cnant iy, tho introducfinno If daIora+ o, - x