Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1865-01-31


Chiof-Jen. Davis VisWF ON the
E1RoUTrvB oTFIoE, RICHMOND, Jan. 81.
Aessrs James +. johnson, Presidsnt pro
tenn. of VIrgfnia Senate, and Hugh W.
6hefey, Speaker Of Virginia House Of Del.
egGteI:
Gentlemen: have the honor to acknov-
ledge the receipt of your joint letter Of the
18th inst, indorsing a resolution of the
General Assembly of Virginia, passed on
the 18th inst, and communicated to me in
confidence, as directed by the Assembly.
This resolution Informs me that, in the
opinion of the General Assembly of Vir.
gina, the appointment of Gen. Robert E.
Lee to the command Of all the armies of
the Confederate Ststes would promote
their efficiency, and operate powerfully to
reanimate the spirits of the armies, as well
as OF the people of the several States, and
to inspire increased confidence in the final
success of our cause. In your communi-
cation you kindly assure me that the Gen.
eral Assembly, with sincere confidence in
my patriotic devotion to the welfare of the
country, desire in this critical period of our
afairsr by such suggestions as occur
to them aud by dedication, il need
be, of the entire resources of The
Commonwealth to common cause. 10
strengthen my hand and to give succesa to
our struggle for liberty and Independence.
This assurance is to me the source of the
highest qualification, and while conveying
to you my thanks for the expression of the
confidence of the General Assembly in nv
sincere devotion to our country aud its ga
cred cause, l must beg permission In re-
turn to bear witness to the uucslcuIstinp,
unhesitsting spirit with which Virginia
mas, from the moment when che first drew
tue sword, consecrated the blood of her
children and all her maternal resources for
the achievement of the object of our strup.
gles. The opinion expressed by the GEN
era1 Assembly in regard to Gen. R. z Lee
mas my full concurrence. Virginia cannot
have higherregard for him, or greater con.
fdence in his character aud ability. than
- entertained by me. When Gen. Ice
took command of the Army of Northern
virginia, be was in command of ali the
armies of the Confederate States bv INV or
der OF assignment, He continued in this
general command as we'll as in Immediate
command Of the Army of Northern VIRGINIA
as long as could resist his opinion that it
was necessary to him to be relieved from
one OF these two duties. Ready as he has
ever shown himself to be to perform anv
service that l desired him to render to
MS country he left it for me to choose be.
tween his withdrawal from command of
tue army in the field, and relieving him of
tne general command of all the armies of
the Confederate States. 1t was only when
Satlshed of the necessity that came to the
conclusion to relieve him from the general
command, believing that the safety of the
capital and the success of our cause de-
pended IN great measure on their retain.
log him IN command in the ield-of the
Army of Northern Virginia. On several
subsequent occasions the desire on NV nsrt
TO enlarge the sphere of Gen. Lees usefnI.
ness had led TO renewed consideration of
the subject, and he has always expressed
MS inability to assume command of Other
armies than those now coufided tn bin,
unless relieved Of the immediate command
IN the neld OF that now opposed To Gen
Srant. In conclusion, l assure thu Gpner.i
assembly that whenever it shall be fop,,J
PFacucaole by Gen. Lee to assume CO..,
M OF all the armies Of the Confa5sroto
S" sHs, "lInost Withdrawing him from di-
V;.S; sno OF the Army of Northern
Itginis' ! Will deem it promotive of the
Puonc interest to place him in suoh com
ma9a, aud will be happy to know thai bv
- aolng am responding to their expresssS
aeslses. 1t will afford me great pleasnrs to
See you, gentlemen, as proposed in vo5r
.etet whenever it may be convenient for
Eou to visit me. luz
Sm very respectfully and truly yours.
JRFRRRRoH nAvT.