Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-04-25
THE RICHMOND VIII
VIRGINIA STATE CONVENTION.
OF MAI. GENERAL ROBERT f. LEE.

I
RICHMOND, Tuesday, April %, 1861.
In conformity with a resolution offered by Mr. Mac.
flrland in the Convention, Monday night, the 22nd
instant Col Robert f. Lee, late of the Oni.ed States
Army was formally received by the Convention yes.
terday and the unanimous confirmation Of his appoint
nenI the office of A jor General Of tie military aud
naval forces of Virginia, made known to him by John
J4rney ESQ President OF the Convention, in behalf #
that assembly. We give the particulars of this recep-
lion exac.ly as they trauspired
! The PRESIDENT.-l am Informed tha. N0jor General
Lee is in the Capitol and will present himself when
ever it be the pleasure Of the Convention to receive
him.
Mr. NORTON-I would Inquire whether appropriate
seats have been asg cd for the Vice President OF the
Confederate States and the other invited guests?
! The PRESIDENr-Yss sir. The Chair would sug-
gest that the invited guests be rst introduced into the
Hall aud assigned their before y. or General LEE
/ is invited into tie Hall.
! Mr. SHEFFEY-I would suggest, in conformity With
| the suggest OF gentlemen around ne, that the Cou
yentiou ough to receive NJ jJT General LEg standing.
The PRESlDENT-The Chair would merely ask the
atten, on OF the Convention to the suggestion.
Mr.. JOHNSTON lex. introduced Judge ALLEN, men,
Der Of the Advisory Council, to the Governor.
| Mr.. CRITCHER rex. introduced Col. Smith, Of the
Virginia Military Institute.
Nj. MORtUN-I wCuld suggest whether il would not
bc proper receive the Vice President Of he Confede
rate States standing.
The PRESIDENT-It will be so understood by the
Convention.
Attis stage Of the proceedings, the Hon. A H. STE
PHENS Vice President Of tie Confederate States entered
the Hall accompanied 10y tue Governor, and was intro
duced to the President by Mr. JOHNSTON OF Lee county
member Of tho committee appointed to invite and
duet that gentleman 20 the Hail
Nr. ? ORION introduced Capt. Vi. f. &aury, late Of
the United States navy who with Col. smith, constitute
| tie other members OF the Advisory Council
Every delegate on h:S feet during Jls ceremony.
The GoyreNoR a0d Ms. SrlpHENs as,gacd seats
on tie right the President, a.l the three members OF
! the Advisory Council on the left
Al this tiuc, Msjlr General LEE entered, leaning on
the arm Of Mr. JoNSON CT Richmond, Chairman OF the
committee appointed conduct the distinguished mill
tary chief TO the Hall As ey reached T. main aisle,
| Mr JcuNsoN sid 4r. President have the honor 10
present to YOU and to the Convention, Major General
Lee.
The PRESIDENT-M.o or General LEE-In the name
of the people Of your naive State here represented
bid you a cordial and heartfelt welcome to this hall in
which we may almost Yet hear tie echo oil the VOICES OF
the statesmen the soldiers aud sages OF byEJre days.
who have borne yCCr name aud whose blood nov flows
in your
We met in the month of February LIST, char "a with
tie solemn duty OF protecting the Tigs the honor and
the int rests OF the people 0; this Commonwealth We
differed for time as to the best means o! aCcompishif
that object but there never was, a any momeui Shade
OF difference amcug,t to The great OF C. self
and nov, virginia havIg taken her position, far as
the power OF Is Convention extends stand animated
by impulse, governed 10y sire and one deter.
mnation, and that is that she shall be iasd aud that
no lot OF her soil shall be polluted BY the foot OF in
yader.
Wien tao necessity became apparent Of having
leajer for forces a hearts aud a eyes, by the i'm.
pulse OF an instinct which guide than reason
ITSELF turned TO The oil coauty Of W,7m9.e,and. We
knew hos proli She had teen in oil day. of heroes
aud statesmen. We Lncw shc had gwen birth to the
Fah,t Df ais Country; Richard Henry Lee TO Mon
roe, aud last though not least, 20 YOUR gJal ia
iter aud We knew st' by your oar letd-, that her
productive power was no' yst exhausted.
Sir, have Oy this unanimous vote expressed our
convictions that YOU are, az this day among the living
els zeus Of Virginia, "fgst in war" We pray to God
eryentv that 20. 80 0;duct the operations
eOmIitcG your charge that vii! soon be aid oi
you' tlIt you first in peace and vhsp that time
comes you VIII have earned the an proudsr distinction
being "trs, in ihv heIrt5 Ci your countrymeu"
Sl close T:'h one more remark,
When the father o. his country made fi7 1si will and
testament he gave his swords 20 his iavoritc ucp
with an JUNCTION that they should never be drawn
itOm their Sc4bdlrds except IN sclfdacucc or in lc-
terce OF the rights and ogres OF their country and
that it drawn foc the latter purpose they should all
With them in their hands, rather than re:r uish them
Sir we watched With tsS ..Drs profound and intense
interest the .1nphal march OF the army led by General
Scott 70 which YOU were .ttichej from Vera Cruz 10 the
al OF Mexico; read Of the auguinory cor acs and
TIE boodstancd 6elis in a 0: which victory perched
up- our own h@EHrrs knew OF the uniadrg lustre
lat vas yted uPCc the American arms by that campag
and know also what your IuodestT has alSays dis
claimed that small share % tae soiy OF those achieve
mCut we ie yoUs yJioT aGf your military genius
Sr u ne prGui2st y5collectons OF my lie will be
the honor tbat yesterday had OF submitting this body
the confirmation Of the inGtion made by the Govern
Of this State OF you CCmmauder.u Chief OF the mil
ary and naval forces O! this Commonwealth. rose to
put the question, and when ! asked if this body would
advise and consent to that appointment, there rushed
from the hearts the tongues OF all the members sf
maYe response that told with emphasis that could
leave 10 doubt Of the feeling whence it emanaed Inv:
- negative OF the question for ioFms ;-ps, out there
was an unbIoken silence,
ves.stGay your mother Virginia placed her sword in
your hand upon the implied condition that we know you
will keep to toe letter and in spirit that you will draw
only in her defence and that you viii a with 1t IN your
hand rather than the object for WHICH It was placed
there, shall fail. Applause
Major General LEE-Nr. PREsIpEET and gentlemen OF
the Convention Profoundly impressed with the so!em-
atty OF the OCCASION for which must say was not pre-
pared accept the position assigned me by your partial
iy would have much preferred had your choice fall
en- on an ADLER Trusting in Almighty God, an
approving conscience and the aid of my f,ow-cZens,
devote myself to the service OF my native State in
whose behalf alone, will ever again draw my sword.
applause
The Chair was thea g.e.Ied and some time was spent
in the utroducoIs Of delegates to Maor General lee,
and the tender to him Of congratulations bJ the mem-
D r., E~.Ay