New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1866-01-09
TUESDAY MORNING, JANUARY 9, 1866.
General Lee.
LETTERS WRITTEN IN 1861.

General Lee.
LETTERS WRITTEN IN 1861.
The Old Guard, of New York, publishes the
following letters which show the ground taken b.
General Lee in the beginning of the late war, ant
which was maintained by him to the last:
ARLINGTON, VA, April 20, 1861.
! Gener0l--since my interview with you on the
18th instant, have felt that ought not longer to
retain my commission in the army-I therefore
tender my resignation, which / request Won will
recommend for acceptance. 1t would have been
presented at once but for the struggle 1t cost me
to separate myself from service to which have
devoted all the best years of my life and all the
ability possessed. .1# g.
During the whole of that tme-more than a
quarter of a century-I have experienced moth
ing but kindness from my superiors, and the most
cordial friendship from my comrades. To no one,
General have been as much indebted az to your.
self for uniform kindness and consideration, and it
has always been my ardent desire to merit your
appreciation. shall carry to the grave the most
grateful recolections of your kind consideration,
and your name and fame will always be dear to
me.
Save in defence Of my native State never
desire again to draw my sword. Be pleased to
accept my most earnest twishes for the continuance
OF your happiness and prosperity, and believe me
r. E. LEE
LIEUT.. GEs. WINFIELD scorr, Commanding United
sabtteS army. 4fHsA=s T-r -,-U '4.g F,
!. A copy Of. the preceding letter was enclosed in
the following letter to sister Of the General,
Mrs. A. NJ: qs. ~. ...4-
an,, a . :. ARLINGTON, VA, April 20, 1861.
- My pear sssse'l am grieyed at my inability
have been waiting for more convenient sea-
son., which has brought to many before me deep
which viii yield to nothing. The whole South is
IN state Of revolution, into which Virginia. after
a long struggle, has been drawn, and though / re-
cognize no necessity for such a state of things,
and would have forborne and pleaded to the end
for redress of grievances real or supposed, yet in
my own person had to meet the question whe-
ther would take part against my native State.
With all my devotion to the Union and the feeling
OF loyalty and duty Of an American Citizen | have
not been able to make up my mind to raise my
hand against my relatives, my children, my home.
have, therefore, resigned my commission in the
army, and save in defense Of my native State,
with sincere hope that my poor services may
never be needed, hope | may never be called on
to draw my sword.
81 know you will blame me, but you must think
as kindly of me ms you can, and believe that
have endeavoIed to do what | thought right. To
show you the feeling and struggle it has cost me,
] send copy of my letter to General Scott which
accompanied my resignation. have no time for
more.
you and yours, and shower upon you every bless
ing, is the prayer of your devoted brother,
r. E. LEE.n
- e y -a>----------------
--latest Dispatehdsby Telegraph to Western
Papers.
The Cairo Times of January 4tll contains dis
patches of the Sd, from all parts of the country
of which the following are the most important:
U. S. Treasurer Spinner has given his opinion
that the deposits of dsbursing officers of the Uni
ted States. with National Banks designated as
repositories and subject to tax like other deposits
which are subject to taxation, on the ground that
the banks have the benefit of such deposits the
same as individual deposits
Payments of prize money to the navy has been
as follows: Lieut.. Vim. Budd, for the capture OF
the Memphis, $3S,3ls; the capture of the Alber.
marie by Lieut.. Cushing's packet boat netted the
gut received s55.443; Rear Admiras Lee and
Porter received over 100000 each; Dupont, $685.
476; and other Admrals sums varying from $39,
900 to S413; sums awarded to other officers vary
paid sums varying from 13 cents to $1,000. Nine
and One-half million of dollars prize money have
been paid this far. Six hundred captures remain
unadjusted which will swell the aggregate to
about SIS, 100000.
The steam-tug Neptune exploded her boiler in
New York bay, Wednesday. Eight persons were
wounded. The captains son was the only one
who escaped injury.
only feature of Importance to day is the fall of
gold, which is attributed to the receipt of early
private advices of the increasing demand at the
London Stock Exchange of United States five
twenties.
A military board has been constituted by the
War Department to investigate certain transac.
tions in Kansas. Immense frauds upon the public
treasury will be unearthed in the course of the
labors of the board. Certain prominent civil
authorities of the above State are said to be noto
riously and dsreputably identified with these
speculations.
The records of Major Russell, Provost Marshal
nfW Wa c1,1 t1,ntc ~ t{
present time, the cases of some $4,000 persons
have been reported at that office. Out of this vast
number the Old Capitol Prison shows that it has
housed $500 prisoners of war; 45OO real and
fanced offenders against the State, and $500
deserters and bounty jumpers.
The contemplated increase of the regular army
grows daily in favor here. Those who three months
ago considered $4,000 too large a number, now
favor augmentng it to nearly twice that number.
The Military Committee will probably introduce a
bill fo- its increase early next week.
The ram Stonewall will soon leave her moorings
in the Potomac and anchor at one of the wharves
of the city, Tor the purpose of being visited by
those desirous OF seeing her.
The Fenian Congress organized with Patrick
Corhett, Of Syracuse, Chairman, and Mr.. Quinn, of
Illinois, Secretary. About 500 delegates were,
Manhattan, embracing this city, Brooklyn and
Queens county. The members from Manhattan
waived all right to any position in the organiza-
ton. Speeches were made by Mr.. Corbett and
utleIs, all III VI VI " tiuIDugH llVeSlShuOu OI
the troubles between O'Mahoney and the Senate.
1t is almost certain" says the Post, "that the
Congress will decide in favor of O'Mahoney 1t
will close its business this week, but it is doubtful
whether the persons decided against will abide by
the deeision.n
The Star says it is the subject of remark to-day
that at the Presidents reception yesterday none
of the diplomatic corps recognized or spoke to the
Mexican Minister; they evidently not recognizing
him as representative from any Government
Senor Romero was cordially received by President
johnson, though he did not stay SO long at the
Executive Mansion as the remainder of the dplo
matte corps.
The Savannah Republican reports that serious
difficulties have arisen between the whites and the
negroes in Emanuel county. Ten thousand ne
groes who refused to make contracts, have been
sent by the military from Georgia to points near
Memphis, on the river. They passed Cairo a few
days ago in most horrible condition of sickness
and suffering When few miles belew this point,
the smallpox broke out among them, when two
negroes in the last stage of the disease, were
placed in ski, the skif turned loose in the river
and this was the last ever heard of them.
A dispatch from Washington says it has been
generally supposed that an application for pardon
of General Lee was made some time ago, but an
examination of the records Of the Attorney Gen
erals office proves that no such application has
rt,ftn, tLn+I