Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-05-29

Council Of Richmond had resolved 10 make
him, In view Of the fact that his own bead
tifui home, Arlington. was IN the posses
sion OF the enemy:
HEADQUARTERS ARMY NORTHERN vmonuAl
18th November, 1858.
The President Of 90 CITY Council Richmond
Va.
Sir.-My attention has been directed toa
resolution reported in the newspapers as
having been introduced into the body over
which you preside having for its object the
purchase by the city OF Richmond OF
house for the use of NV family.
assure you, sir. that no want OF appSe-
citation OF the honor conferred upon me oy
this resolution or insensibility 10 the KIND
feeling which prompted IL, induces me TO
ask, "a | most respectfully do, that no
further proceedings DO taken with REFER
ence TO the subject. The house Is not
necessary for the use of my family and
my own duties will prevent my residence
in Richmond. / should therefore be com.
PEELED to decline the generous offer, and
trust that whatever means the City Coun-
Gil may have to spare for this purpose may
be devoted to the relief of the families OF
our soldiers in the field, who are now IN
need of assistance and more deserving OF
| il than myself
have the honor to be, very respectfully.
your obedIent servant,
II. E. LIE. General.
General Leo Declines to BE Governor OF
Virginia.
| The following letter from General Lee to
Judge Robert Ould declining to be can
dictate for Governor of Virginia was pub
lished by DR.. J. William Jones in his " Per-
sonal "reminiscences, Anecdotes. and Let
J tiers Of r. l.. Lee" and its sentiments are
| so lofty that it deserves wide circulation
and viii be read with peculiar interest at
} this time.
| Judge Ould had written him that there
was general desire that he should be the
next Governor of Virginia His reply was
as follows:
LEXINGTON. Va, February 4. 1867.
Hon. Robert OuId, Virginia Senate, Richmond,
| Va:
Ny Dear Sir,-I received to-day your let
ter of the 31st ultimo, and the subject to
which it relates is so important that,
though confined to my room by indisposi-
ton. l reply at once. 1feel greatly honored
az what you say Is the prevailing wish of
leading men in the State that ! should ac-
cept the nomination for the office OF Gov
ernor of Virginia. and duly appreciate the
spirit that has led them TO name me for
that high position. | candidly confess,
however, that my feelings induce me to
prefer private life. which l think more
suitable TO my condition and age, and
whore | believe | can better subserve the
interests of my State than in that you pro-
pose.
You will agree with me, am sure. in the
opinion that this is no time for the indul-
gence of personal or political cOnsidera-
tions in selecting q person to I'LL that Of
fee nor should il be regarded as means
of rewarding individuals tor supposed
former services. The welfare Of the state
and the interests of her citizens should be
the only principle OF selection.
Believing that there are many men in the
State more capable than | am OF filling the
position and who could do more to pro-
mote the interests of the people most re-
spectfully decline to be considered candl-
date for the Office.
think it important IN selecting Chief
Magistrate of the Commonwealth for the
citizens to choose one capable OF fulfilling
its high trust, and OF tho same time not
liable TO tho misconstruction which their
choice Of ono objectionable TO the General
Government would be sure TO create, and
thereby increase the evils under which the
State at present labors.
l have no means of knowing, other than
are apparent 10 you, whether my election
as Governor of Virginia would be person
ally injurious to me or not, aud therefore
the consideration of that question N your
letter has not been embraced in my reply
But believe it would be used by the dom
inant party to excite hostility towards the
State, and TO iniure the people in the eyes
of tho country; and |, therefore, cannot
consent TO become the instrument OF bring.
Ing distress upon those whose prosperity
and happiness are 80 dear TO me.
If nv disfranchisement and privatlon Of
civil rights would secure to the citizens OF
tho State the enjoyment of civil liberty
and equal rights under tho Constitution.
would willingly accept them in their stead
What have written is intended only for
your own information. With grateful
thanks for your friendly sentiments, | an
very truly yours, *. Il. LEE.
History of Lees Farewell Address.
Colonel Marshall has recently fur
nished an account of the way in which
this address was prepared. ON oul
with General Grant at Mcleans house
on April .. 1865, after some conversation
with the staff On the Incidents Of the morn
ing General Lee directed me TO prepare
general order to the army appro
pirate to tho occasion. During thu
rest of the day | was so constant
ly occupied with details that l had NJ
time 10 write the order, so that next morn
ing when the General called for il it wa
not prepared. He then directed me to ge
into his ambulance standing before hi
tent and get to work at 1t OF once. ant
placed an orderly on guard to prevent my
being interrupted. AZ soon as had mad'
a draft in ead-pencil l submitted it to thu
General, who struck out whole paragraph
and made Some verbal alterations. when
had the rough draft thus corrected signed
by General Lee. This was copied ant
signed 10y him for corps commanders ant
staff officers, and many copies were mad'
and his autograph procured as souvenirs b,
couriers and persons about headquarters.
GENERAL ORDERS, NO. 9.
The order rs corrected by General Lee
and as it was Issued 70 the army, is as fol
lows: