Gentlemen:
I have received a communication, signed by yourselves and one hundred and seventy-eight other citizens of
Henrico county, calling upon me ‘"as one who will truly represent the sentiments of a majority of the people of
Henrico,"’ to allow you to use my name as a candidate for
Henrico for the
Convention.
Whilst I have no ambition to be a member of the
Convention, I do not feel that I have the right to refuse to comply with a request, made under such circumstances.
I therefore consent to your making such use of my name as you may deem proper.
I am one of those who are most hopeful of the honorable and final settlement of the questions that now distract the country.
Should you elect me, I will devote myself to the earnest effort to secure all our rights as
Virginians and as Southern men, and to the preservation of the
Union.
I would proceed with prudence and deliberation; if need be, I would appeal to the people of the
North against the politicians.
I would, in the meantime, prepare for any emergency that might arise.
Failing, after these efforts, to obtain the fullest and most ample guarantees for our future peace and safety in the
Union, I would endeavor to secure the peaceable separation of the States--and thus forming a common compact with the
South, maintain by force of arms our every right.
P. S.--Since writing the above, I learn that a proposition is on foot for holding a meeting of the conservative portion of the people of
Henrico, for the purpose of selecting a candidate for the
Convention.
Preferring, myself, that you should select some one from your own county, I do not wish in any way to forestall or embarrass the action of such meeting, when held.
