LeRoy P. Walker to John Janney, June 15, 1861

CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA.        

Richmond, June 15, 1861.

To the Hon. JOHN JANNEY, President of the Virginia State Convention:

SIR:— Your letter inviting me, “in obedience to a resolution of the Virginia State Convention, unanimously adopted,” to occupy a privileged seat, provided in the Hall of the Convention, is before me.

Return to the Convention, if you please, my profound acknowledgement of their courtesy; and accept, for yourself, assurances of distinguished consideration.

L. P. WALKER,        

Secretary of War.

SOURCE: “Virginia Secession Convention,” Richmond Enquirer, Semi-Weekly Edition, Tuesday Morning, June 18, 1861, p. 2

Jefferson Davis to John Janney, June 17, 1861

SPOTSWOOD HOUSE, June 16, 1861.

HON. JOHN JANNEY, President, etc.—

Sir:—I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 15th inst., communicating to me the resolution of the Virginia State Convention to visit me at such hour as it may appoint.

It will afford me great pleasure to receive you and the members of the Convention at eight o’clock on Monday evening of the 17th instant. I have the honor to be,

Very respectfully, yours,

JEFFERSON DAIVS.

SOURCE: “Virginia Secession Convention,” Richmond Enquirer, Semi-Weekly Edition, Tuesday Morning, June 18, 1861, p. 2

John Janney, President of the Virginia Secession Convention, addresses Major General Robert E. Lee, April 23, 1861

[The Virginia Secession Convention in the Hall of the House of Delegates, Virginia State Capitol, Richmond, Virginia, April 23, 1861.]

Sir, we have by this unanimous vote expressed our convictions that you are at this day among the living citizens of Virginia, "first in war." We pray to God most fervently that you may so conduct the operations committed to your charge that it will soon be said of you that you are, "first in peace;" and when that time comes you will have earned the still prouder distinction of being "first in the hearts of your countrymen." I will close with one more remark.

When the Father of his Country made his last will and testament he gave swords to his favorite nephews, with an injunction that they should never be drawn from their scabbards except in self-defense, or in defense of the rights and liberties of their country; and that, if drawn for the latter purpose, they should fall with them in their hands rather than relinquish them.

Yesterday your mother, Virginia, placed her sword in your hand, upon the implied condition, that we know you will keep to the letter and in spirit, that you will draw it only in defense, and that you will fall with it in your hand, rather than the object for which it was placed there shall fail.

SOURCE: John William Jones, Life and Letters of Robert Edward Lee: Soldier and Man, p. 134-5