groundless and foolish had been the idle fears at Washington? Now, it is plain that the true course is to publish the official report; to respect the natural resentment of a soldier sensitive on account of a palpable wrong; to avoid mingling personal feelings with the general joy over great triumphs; to neither force nor oppose public judgment upon the merits of a controversy no longer important to the nation, and leave to the country and history to settle the credit due to the prominent actors in the war. The writer of this is not disposed to belittle either the services of General Sherman or the energy of Mr. Stanton, and would rather see both expended on the common enemy. THE CALL FOR THE ASSEMBLING OF THE REBEL LEGISLATURE OF VIRGINIA. [As General Sherman was influenced to introduce into the "memorandum" of agreement entered into with General Johnston the recognition of State governments, from the permission given by the Federal authorities for the meeting of the Virginia Legislature, the "call" for such meeting is here given. This is prefaced by the order of President Lincoln to General Weitzel, authorizing such permission. The order was handed to General Weitzel by Senator Wilkinson on the morning of April 7th. General Weitzel afterwards saw the committee who prepared the "call," which he approved for publication. On the 12th, the day after its promulgation, General Weitzel received a telegram from President Lincoln, in Washington, to annul the call, as the necessity for it had passed.] HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES, Major-General WEITZEL, Richmond, Va. : It has been intimated to me that the gentlemen who have acted as the Legislature of Virginia, in support of the rebellion, may now • desire to assemble at Richmond and take measures to withdraw the Virginia troops and other support from resistance to the General Government. If they attempt it, give them permission and protection, until, if at all, they attempt some action hostile to the United States; in which case you will notify them, giving them reasonable time to leave, and at the end of which time arrest any who remain. Allow Judge Campbell to see this, but do not make it public. Yours, etc., A. LINCOLN. TO THE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA. The undersigned, members of the Legislature of the State of Virginia, in connection with a number of the citizens of the State, whose names are attached to this paper, in view of the evacuation of the city of Richmond by the Confederate Government, and its occupation by the military authorities of the United States, the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia, and suspension of the jurisdiction of the civil power of the State, are of the opinion that an immediate meeting of the General Assembly of the State is asked for by the exigencies of the situation. The consent of the military authorities of the United States to a session of the Legislature in Richmond, in connection with the governor and lieutenant-governor; to their free deliberation upon public affairs, and to the ingress and departure of all its members under safe conduct, has been obtained. The United States authorities will afford transportation from any point under their control to any of the persons before mentioned. The matters to be submitted to the Legislature are, the restoration of peace to Virginia, and an adjustment of the questions involving life, liberty, and property, that have arisen in the State as a consequence of war. We therefore earnestly request the governor, lieutenantgovernor, and members of the Legislature to repair to this city by the 25th of April instant. We understand that full protection to persons and property will be afforded in the State; and we recommend to peaceful citizens to remain at their homes and pursue their usual avocations with confidence that they will not be interrupted. We earnestly solicit the attendance in Richmond, on or before the 25th of April instant, of the following persons, citizens of Virginia, to confer with us as to the best means of restoring peace to the State of Virginia. We have procured safe conduct from the military authorities of the United States for them to enter the city and depart without molestation. The Hons. R. M. Hunter, A. T. Carpenter, Wm. C. Rives, John Letcher, A. H. H. Stuart, R. L. Montague, Fayette M. Mullen, J. P. Holcombe, Alexander Rives, B. Johnson Barbour, James Barbour, Wm. L. Goggin, J. B. Baldwin, Thomas S. Gholson, Walter Staples, Thomas J. Randolph, Wm. T. Early, R. A. Claybrook, John Critcher Williams, T. H. Eppes, and those other persons for whom passports have been procured, and especially others whom we consider it unnecessary to mention. A. J. MARSHALL, senator from Fauquier. JOHN WESSON, senator from Marion. JAMES VENABLE, senator elect from Petersburg. DAVID J. BURR, of the House of Delegates, from Richmond. J. J. ENGLISH, of the House of Delegates, Henrico county. A. M. KEITZ, House of Delegates, Petersburg. H. W. THOMAS, second auditor, Virginia. Lieutenant L. L. MONCURE, chief clerk, second auditor's office. ROBERT S. HOWARD, clerk Hustings Court, Richmond city. THOS. W. DUDLEY, sergeant, Richmond city. LITTLETON TAZEWELL, Commonwealth's attorney, Richmond city. WM. H. LYONS, judge Hustings Court, Richmond. R. F. WALKER, publisher Examiner. J. R. ANDERSON, Richmond. R. R. HOMISON, Richmond. THOMAS B. HEISHER, Fauquier. WM. M. HARRISON, Charles City. CYRUS HALL, Ritchie. THOS. W. GARNETT, King and Queen. JAMES A. SCOTT, Richmond. I concur in the preceding recommendation. J. A. CAMPBELL. Approved for publication in the Whig, and in handbill form. G. WEITZEL, Major-General commanding, Richmond, Va. April 11, 1865. |