The New York herald., 1865-04-14
RICHM ON D.
Important Action Of Members Of the
Virginia Legislature.
The First Step Towards the Resto-
ration Of the State to the
Union Taken.
The Legislature to Meet at Richmond Under
United States Protection.
The Virginia Soldiers Reported to
Have Deserted Lee Before
the Surrender.
Their Abandonment Of Him
Forces the Surrender.
the FRENCH TOBACCO IN RICHMOND.
Visit Of tho French Consul to Warrington
to Claim Payment of tho Tobacco
Destroyed by the Rebels,
&C., &C., 60.
The Virginia SOLDIER Reported &
Have Deserted Lee Before
the Surrender.
Their Abandonment Of Him
Forces the Surrender.
the FRENCH TOBACCO IN RICHMOND.
Vidt Of tho French Consul to Warrington
to Claim Payment Of tho Tobacco
Destroyed BY the Rebels,

Mr. william H. Merriam's Dispatches.
RICHMOND, Va, April 11-17M
wHoInALs DEsERrIoM o, VIRGINIA SOLDIERS LEss
ARMY.
II IL known here that the recent surrender Of Lees
army was Que In great measure among other causes TO
tho Wholesale desertions from its ranks Of the Virginia
elements OF which 1t largely composed Tire vir-
ginans really took up their line Of departure from tho
fallen ohieain by thousands and weakened him that
surrender, rather rout, the only alternatives
lsfh His Virginia troops would not leave the State
BLOCKADE RuNNKns ANXIOUS rEAoR
recent Is significant evidence Of the
sentiments Of the leading citizens Of Richmond II Is
stated that william g. Crenshaw, Esq, one Of Rich
mond's woalthiest and most influential merchants,
volunteered In the Union interest to 70 oyds Essex
county, the home Of r. n Hunter for tho purpose OF
inviting that gentleman 70 this city 70 aid the members
Of the Legislature in the matter Of the pending
struction- The Crenshaw family represent wealth
in Richmond than any ny OF its ctzcns with perhaps
two sxoeptionsths representatives Of which do not
coed the Crcnshaws In wealth The latter actually had
nvs Elisns Of dollars invested IN blockade running
steamers and made that form suncisn, fortune
render the loss Of the vessels trinng matter. The
Crsnshaws wealthy before the but since its in
auguason In 1851 have become vastly through
tsao when such men Interest themselves so seaiousy
IN the direction Of peace the term: approach nna I'd
justment and that without the usual attendant diCu
ties upon important state negotiations
THy VIRGINIA. LsosIAruHS READY no TAKE THE OATH.
All tho members OF the late Virginia Legislature
recently in the city numbering at least ten Aeen,
prepared 10 said " take the oath Of allegiance to
the governments of Me Uned States; and = have bc
fove stated fully nnstesn havs determined to
follow them In TIN credAbs example, The spirit II
submission to the authority Of the government, a. is
being manifested each day we'll nigh approaches Joy.
The people whom Js0 Davis left beAind In his precipi
tAte flight certainly regard the change wrought BY the
Union advent - most auspicnous one, and ~ fore
shadowing bright prsspess 70 individuals no less than TO
communities.
0ovY1NoR GlnrH, OF VIRGINIA INVITED TO RioxNoSp.
kxGovernor Extra Billy Smith, who nsd tho rebel
capital With Davis and his Cabinet believed 70 have
been sent for through the sxsrtsns Of Judge Campbell
who 10 recognised here the principal party whose
labor 70 bring about peace and the restoration of
Virginia to the Union on the best posible osndtons
Mrs Governor Smith has returned 70 tho late Executive
manson now the quarters Of General Charles Deveus,
by whom she has been gallanty accorded - many
apartments ~ she desirsd for her
Public order u fast being restored in Richmond and
the military administration Is fast duly regulating pubic
affairs and pvats grieS, the latter OF which nume-
rous Nothing Of marked interest has occurred up
this hsue