Shreveport news., 1865-02-21
The is.H ASlI:s.e:1:ssi $50 :stsS9yVH
On the Matter.

me- AppOon0eoO0e q -
On the Matter.
ExEcuTIvs O1Svcs,
Richmond Jan. le.1
Messrs. Jas. +. johnson. President
pro. tenn. of Virginia Senate, and
Hugh w. Shehey. Speaker q Viz.
GINA House Of DelvSasss, meg
-,--Geuilsmsn-l have -tho- Aeaos -
acknowledge the receipt of ysss,ssAs
letter Of the l7,h inst. indorsine q
resolution Of the Ger seal Ass~mSl1
OF Virginia. passed on the Itch inse.,
and communicated to ms in CONF
dencc, as directed by the Assembly.
This resolution informs the ehst.
in the opinion Of the General A.
s-'nbly of Virginia, the appointment
/: Of Gen. Robert +. Lee to the com.
tnaud Of all the armies of the Con-
f'slerate States would promote their
efficiency aud operate powerfully TO
reanimate the spirits II the armies.
ma welt "a Of the people Of the sew
eral States, and to inspire increased
contidrI CO in the FINAL success Of o,
cause. In your cnmnunica. ion you
kindly assure me that the General
Assembly. with sincere confidence
in my patriotic devotion 10 the well
fare Of the country. desire. at tbis
critical period Of our aiIair. by such
suggestions as occur to them. aud I ,
dedication. if need be. Of the entire
resources of the Co,nmonw esl,h to
the common cause. TO strengthen nv
hand and give success 70 our struggle
tor liberty and Independence. The
assurance is to me- tho source Of The
highest gratiticatiou and while con-
veyins to you my thanks for the *.
preston Of confidence Of the General
Assembly in my sincere devotion 20
my country and ,ts sacred cause, I
must beg permission, In return. to
bear witness to the uncaleulatinR.
unhrsi,a,inS spirit with which Viz
ginia has, from the ndtAent when she
first drew the sword. consecrAted the
blood Of her children and all her ma
tcriaf RESOURCES for the achievement
of the object for which We are a,rrR.
Cling. The opinion expressed ~
General Assembly in regard to Gen.
X. F.. Lee has my fun concurrence.
Virginia cannot have higher regard
for him. or greater confidence in his
character or ability. ,haa IL enter
tanned by me. When General Lee
took command Of the Army of Mort,
.rn Virgin he was in command n
all the armies ~ the Confederate
States by my order Of assignment.
He continued in this general corr
mand AZ we'll ~ in immediate. com.
mand of III. army of Northern Vir-
si:ia as long ny I could resist his
opinion that it WAS necessary to him
TO be relieved from one OF ,h.s. TWO
s'"'i"s. Ready rs hc has ever shows
him self t" be I" perform any service
,ha, ] desired him TO render to his
country. Ii" lief, it for IN. TO chooae
between hi. withdrawal OF command
of army in the field. and relieving
! him os the general comma nd Of the
armies x the Confederate States. II
was only when sat SIZED Of the no
| c-ss'y that ! cam" to the conclusion
=" relieve him from III" ;c.D-ral CON-
mand. believing tina. the safety of.he
3
d,.p-ndrd in a gr.n, mcaslr. "u ,h.is
retaining him in command in the
! field -"t the army Of Nor h III Vir.
ginia. On several subsequent, "ccs-
>ions the desire on my part I" en-
large the sphere Of Gen. I.r-'. use.
fulncss had lid TO renewed considera-
ton of 'h- sub iect. aud h. has always
expressed hi. inability to assume
command of other armies than .ho.e
now confi.l-d To Tim. unless rrli~v.d
Of th, immediate command in the
field OF that now opposed TO Gen.
Grant. In conclusion, ! assure tho
General Assembly tina, Whenever i,
-hall be found practicable by Gen.
Lee to assume command of all the
ar,niss of tn" Confederate Statea
without Withdrawing him from direct
command Of the Army of y" en-
| Virginia. | will d--m 1t rromosivr Vt
tn" public interests 10 place him in
such command. and will hr happy t.
know that by 80 doing AIN respond
ing TO their rxpr.,s.d desires. II
will afford me gr..n, pleasure 10 40"
you. gentlemen. n, you proposed IN
your letter. Whenever i, may be con-
v.nien, for You TO visit me.
nm very respectfully and truly
yours. JEFFERSON DAVIS.
The. Captain of the schooner La
Conpt. which Was captured by the