Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1865-02-01

The Appointment OF aonoral-In-
0hi.fJeT. Davis Vis~P ON the
Matter.
ExEoUrrvB oTF1oB, RICHHoHD, Jan. Al.
Ac.srs. James Z. johnson, President pro
tenn. of VTginiG Senate, and Hugh W.
Sh:fey, Speaker Of Hirginio House of Del
egates:
Gentlemen: I have the honor to acknow.
ledge the receipt of your joint letter of the
18th inst, indorsiug a resolution of the
General Assembly of Virginia, passed on
the 18th inst, and communicated to me in
confidence, az directed by the Assembly.
This resolution Informs me that, in the
opinion of the General Assembly of Viz.
giuis, the appointment of Gen. Robert E,
Lse to the command Of all the armies of
the Confederate States would promote
their efficiency, and operate powerfully to
reanimste 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 oommuni-
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
aualrsr by suoh suggestions as occur
to them aud by dedication, il need
De- OF the entire resources of the
commonwealth to common cause, to
strengthen my hand and to give SUCCESS to
our struggle for liberty and independence.
thls 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
B10nPFR 6HVnHfnR ~
cred cause, l must beg permission In re-
turn to bear witness to the uucalculstino
nnhesltating spirit with which VIRGINIA
has, from the moment when she first drew
tue sword, consecrated the blood of her
children and all her maternal resources for
the achievement of the object of our stru0.
giles. The opinion expressed by the Gen.
eral Assembly in regard to Gen. R. z. Lee
mas my full concurrence. Virginia cannot
have higherregard for him, or greater con.
ndence in his character and ability. than
- entertained by me. When Gen. Lse
took command of the Army of Northern
virginia. be was in command of ali the
armies OF the Confederate States by nv or
der OF assignment. He continued in this
general command as we'll as in Immediate
OF the Army of Northern Virginia
as long as could resist his opinion that IL
WAS necessary to him to be relieved from
one OF thes 9 two duties. Ready as he has
ever shown himself to be to perform 9nv
service that l desired him to rander 10
DIS country, he left it for me to choose he.
tween his withdrawal from Command of
tue army in the field, and relieving him of
the general command of all the armies of
me confederate States. TWAS only when
satisfied of the necessity that came to The
to relieve him from the general
command, believing that the safety of the
capital and the success of our cause de.
penoed IN great measure on their retain
log him IN command in the fisld-of tbs
Army of Northern Virginia. On several
subsequent occasions the desire on nv mart
10 enlarge the sphere of Gen. Lees usefnl.
ness had led to renewed consideration of
me subject, and he has always expressed
nls inability to assume command of other
AtLn'es toen those now confded to him
uut rs renewed OF the immediate command
6 N 'ue Ielo OF tnat now opposed to Gen.
!, s s ~ conclusion, assure the General
nsseOy tnat whenever it shall be found
PEacHceols oy Gen. Lee to assume com.
S.a.u Oh All the armies Of the Confederate
Sos. MInoSt Withdrawing him from di.
49,: IisuG OF the Army Of Northern
lyme Wlll deem it prom6tiye of The
Eo0 I1tstesL 70 place him in such com
= SS;L ana WlIl DO happy to know that bv
3os GK tsm responding to their expressed
- 20 WI anord me great pleasure to |
etter, whenever it NAV be eonTenis,y sls
ron to visit me. = l"F
very respectfully and truly yours,
JRTIERsoN DAVIS.