Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-04-05
EVACUATION ECHOES.
notwithstanding -of-War Camp
bcIrs Interview With MIR. Lincoln.

notwithstanding -of-Nar Camp
bcIps Interview With Mr.. Lincoln.
The following letter, though 1t has been
published several times before. will be
found interesting:
Richmond, Va, April Z. 1865.
General Joseph r. Anderson, and Others,
Committee, ETC.:
Gentlemen,--I have had since the evacu-
alton of Richmond two conversations
With Mr.. Lincoln. President of the
United States. My object was to Sc
cure for the citizens OF Richmond. ard
the inhabitants OF the State OF Vir-
giria, who had come under the military
authority OF the United States. as much
gentleness and forbearance as could be
possibly extended.
The conyersaticn had relation 10 the
establishment OF n government for Vir-
GINA, the requirement OF oaths OF al
lesiance from the citizens, and the terms
~ settlement with the United States
with the concurrence and sanction Of
General Wt'tzell. He assented 10 the
application not to require oatns OF al
legiance from he citizens. He stated
that he would send TO General Welt2ell
ais decision upon The question OF n gov
eminent OF Virginia.
This letter was received on Thursday.
and was read ~ me. 1t authorized Gene
raj WeitzeT - grant a safe conduc.
10 the Legislature OF Virginia. to
meet at RI -hmond to deliberate. and to
-eturn TO their homes at the end cs their
session.
l am informed by General Woitzel. that
ne will issue whatever orcers that may
be necessary, and will furnish all the
facilities OF transportation. etc, TO the
members of the Legislature, to meet in
thls city: and that the Governor. Lieu
tenant Governor, and pIblic men OF the
state will be included IN the or1ers.
The object OF the invitation is for the
Government OF Virginia to determine
whether they will administer the laws
n connection vita the authorities OF the
United States, and under the ConstItu-
lion OF the United Safes.
| understood from Mr.. Lincoln. II this
condition be fulfilled. that no attempt
would be made 20 establish or sirtein
any other authority
NV conversation with President Lin
coin upon the terms or settlement was
answered in wrtIng-that is, ne left with
me a written memorandum OF the sub
stance Of his answer. He states that,
ment the restoration OF the authority of
the United States over the whole of
the States. and the cessation of hostilities
hy the disbanding Of the army, and
that there shall be no recedlng on the
Part of the Executive from his position
on the slavery question. The latter pro-
position was explained to mean that the
Executive action on the subject OF
slavery, so far as II had been de-
cIared In messages, proclamations. and
other official acts, must pass for what
they were worth. That he would not
recede from his position; but that this
would not debar action by other authori-
ties Of the government.
I suppose that, IL the proclamation OF
the President be valid as law, that Il
has already operated and vested rights.
believe that fun confidence may be
placed in General WeitzelPs fulnIment OF
his promise to AFFORD facilities TO the
Legislature. and that its members may
return after they had concluded their
business without interruption. Mr.. Lin
coin, In his memorandum, referred to
what would be his action under the con-
fiscation act. He stated that where the
property had not been condemned end
sold that he would make universal
release Of the forfeitures that had been
incurred. In any State which would now
promptly recognize the authority OF the
United States and withdraw its troops:
but that II the war be persisted in that
the confiseated property must be re-