Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-12-23

cou 8, ors.
That God will preserve the Union my ,ircere prayer
bu. If nc cessty compes secession, the South will ind
many warm and firm irienes at the North.
Faithfully End respectfully yours,
L. P. ClovrR.
His E1ceIIency ions LErcHER, Governor of Va.
rr. RICHMOND, VIRGINIA., /
Dec. 18th, 1850 ( 4
Ny DEAR SIN. received your letter Of The 2O.h
instant tis morning. and though much pressed with Of
fcial busness, feeit 10 be duty 10 reply at OF CO.
am not dissatisfied With your course in exhibiting
my letter to Mr. Lincoln In lime Ike this when the
Government is falling 10 pieces and financial storm,
which threatens ruin aud binkruptcy IS raging around
us. weigh my words well before they are placed on
paper 1t ia criminal in any man to conceal or nlsep
recent the truth, when cur country ID IN the tnrees o.
revelation Whatever | write to you, will be what
reigiously believe to be true.
regard the Government now as doomed, beyond
contingency to destruction. Is it not melancholy TO
think shat this noble fabric reared by the wisdom and
patriotism of revolutionary fathers, is TO De Destroy
ed merely because the people OF eighteen States nate
dome.tc institution which exists 10 the other hiteen'-
Yet 30 1t IT, and while we depore it, nothing but DVhe
Providence can avert the result.
We lave not the wisdom, the prudence aud the patr
oh.m 10 reconstruct the fabric as it came 10 us. We
shall get it again when be shall go back to tho dial
of Ahaz."
"When earth's cities have 10 sound or tread.
"When ships ere drifting with the Dead
"To shores where all is dumb"
have lost all hope, as no disposition in the free
States 10 adjust the controversy. We have just heard
from Washington that the Republicans have presented
their ulimatun and say 70 you in sincerity and sor-
row. that will never be assented to- believe ninety
nine OUT of every hundred in Virginia will repaid
it with scorn. Conservative as am, and laborng
have been for months TO secure al adjustment, be-
fore will assent to that proposition will welcome civil
war with all it's horrors It would be dshonorabe in the
South accept IL and my motto L. death before dis
honor"
Az the Executive of Vrginis feel the responsible ~
of my position, aud trus! have due appreciation Of
it. now directing all my efforts 10 prepare her
for the sure protection OF her honor her rights and her
institutions aave succeededin getting my military pre-
partitions in q very satisfactory condition. We have now
land every day adds TO the numbe "a Companies OF ar
tllery (rmed partly with the improved rifle cannonl
10 mpanies OF cavalry l0S companies of infantry,
aud lOl companies of rhsmen These volunteer com.
plnies embrace about 10 700 men, all 10 uniform and
well drilled besides the militia OF the line about $50 600
strong. As you aware, We have u, 900 stand Of
Lexington, and 20 900 in the arsenal here, be-
sides the in the hands OF the volunteers Of the
S ate We can, if necessary, arm efficiently at this
time 60 900 men. have been anticipating the present
condition of puolo affairs for more than year, aud
hence IL tina; last January directed our aimory
TO be refLtsd and put in operation. This is now go
ing aud stall have one OF the finest aud most Ell
&c est in the country l give these iacs because, ss
you were oLce resident of Virginia, know they will
interest you ard convince you of the state of feeling
here. do not design desire thaE Mr.. Lilcon shall
be apprzed of these facts he might suppose from the
fact that knew he had seen my previous letter. that
they designed to Cp crate upon him or his policy
Nv belief is that Mr.. Lincoln will never be raugu-
rated. would not day occupy his position for the
world. TIE ref ction that my election has caused the
dissolution of the Union whether TO blame mott
would dive me mad. The Sou regards him one
nf "a diva nd nj har
mes-ss OF The Giddugs school Of AbOlitionists,
who recognizes negro equality With the white race, who
would rejo &c Southern dwellings in flames, and
10 see Southern women sacrificed to the brutal passions
of the negro. So regarding HIN and his assoeiite Ham
in can any man wonder that Southern blood bO with
indignation What Sou heIn husband or father would
live under Government administered by such men I'M
less by compu'sionr ANY attempt az compul5ion wi
be repelled and resisted by u0ited South.
glad that you speak well OF Linn il your letter
but my dear sir, his record has made its impression up
the Southern mind, and the'e is no probability that
il will be erased before the Alb Of March.
by regards to Mrs. c. ard the regards of ny wife to
youTseli and her. In haste.
am, truly, your friend,
(Sgned) JcHs LrrcHss,
Rev L p CLOVER, Sprin6eld, lie.
p. ST. received the R4git,r, ald will be pleased to
receive any paper containing snytEing of interest.
RICHMOND, Va,
January 10th, go.
Ny DEAR Sir Pressed as am with official csres,
have only time to acknowledge the receipt Of your
letter OF the 9th inst
The Union fear is gone The last hops with me
has Departed aud the only duty now have discharge
is to my noble old SAFE. TINS duty will be firmly,
faithfully, and energec,lly discharged. She viii be
out OF the Union before the four OF March: A con-
venton will meet the l4sh February, and from all
the Indications the Safe will secedc in a few days there
after. Before the All dy of March every Southern
St will have withdrawn and the North aud South will
Do b6stle nations. How sad but it is not more sad
than certain. Kind regards of my wife and sef to Mrs.
U. and your family.
am truly,
Your friend,
(Signed) Joas Lr1cHsa.
n. B This letter should have been dated '6l instead
If go" The envelope containing the letter ID post
rnnrLe "a NRinhnnnd I,nnnrY llrh lA6ln