The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-02-04


append IL with the omission of only one SEN
tence. which does not affect its general signi-
ficance. The correspondence will illustrate
the relations which prevailed between the
two distinguished patriots, and is alike hon.
orable to both
PRESIDENT BAvrs's ANSWER.
stRIcHMoND, VA, August II, 1863.
!" General r. f. Lee, Commanding Army of
Northern Virginia
"Yours of the 9Th instant has just been re-
ceived. | am glad that you concur 80 en-.
tirely with me as to the wants OF our coun-
try iu this trying hour, and am happy to add
that after the first depression consequent
upon our disasters in the West indications
have appeared that our people will exhibit
that fortitude which we agree in believing Is
alone peedful to secure ultimate success.
CIT we'll became Sydney Johnston, when
orerw helmed by senseless clamor, to admit
the rule that success is the test of merit; and
vet there has been nothing which I have
found to require greater effort of patience
than to bear the criticisms Of the ignorant,
who pronounce everything a failure which
does not equal their expectations or desires,
and can see no good result which is not in
the line Of their own imaginings. l admit
the proprety Of your conclusions that an
officer who loses the confidence Of his
troops should have bis position changed,
whatever may be his ability, but when read
the sentence I was not at all prepared for
the application you were about to make.
Expressions of discomfort in the public
journals furnish but little evidence of the
sentiment Of the army. | wish it were
otherwise, even though all the abuse of my
self should be accepted as the results of
honest observation.
"Were you capable Of STOPPING to it. you
could easily surround yourself with those
who would fill the press with your lauda-
tons, and seek to eX,lt you for what you
had not done, rather than detracs from the
achievements which will make you and
your army the subject of history aud object
of The worlds admiration for generations 10
come.
81 am truly sorry to know that you still
feel the effects Of the illness you suffered last
spring, and can readily understand the em-
barrassments you experience IN using The
eyes of others, having Dcen so much accuS-
toned to make your own reconnoIsslnces.
Practice will, however, do much to relieve
that embarrassment, and the minute knowl-
edge Of the country which you had acquired
VIII TeDucr SOu leoS ueyCuuCAt, Loi WV
graphical information.
"But suppose, my dear friend, that were
to admit, with all their implications, the
points which you present, where am to lind
that new commander who Is to possess the
greater ability which you believe to be re-
ouired? | do not doubt the readiness with
which you would give way to one who, could J
accomplish all that you have wished, and
YOU will do me the justice to believe that il
Providence should kindly offer such a per-
son for our use would not hesitate to avail
ImyseIt] of bis services.
: "My sight is not sufficiently penetrating
to discover such hidden merit, if it exists,
and have but used TO you the language OF
sober earnestness, when | have impressed
upon you the propriety OF avoiding all I'M
necessary exposure to danger, because felt
our country could not bear to lose you. ToaSk
me 10 substitute you by some one IN myjuds-
ment more fit to command, or who would
possess more Of the confidence Of the army,
or Of the rejecting men of the country, Is to
demand an impos>bility.
cit only remains for me to hope that you
will take all possible care Of yourself, that
YOUR health and strength may be entirely
restored, and that the Lord will preserve you
for the important duties deyolyed upon you
in the struggle of our suffering country for
the independence which we have engaged in
war to maintain.
GAS ever, very respectfully and truly,
"JEFF'N DAVIS"