The City Council on Saturday unanimously adopted the following preamble and resolutions, offered by
Gen. G. W. Randolph, who prefaced their introduction with some appropriate remarks:
‘
Whereas, The people of
Richmond, in common with their fellow citizens of the
Confederate States, have to deplore, in the death of
Major General James E B
Stuart, not only the loss of one of the first military characters of the age, but also the loss of a citizen whose eminent patriotism and pure life gave the best guarantee that his great military capacity would never be otherwise employed than in the cause of freedom, and for the welfare of his country
And whereas, they not only recognize this, their great misfortune, in common with the rest of their countrymen, but bearing in mind that he yielded up his heroic spirit in the immediate defence of their city, and in a successful effort to purchase their safety by the sacrifice of his own life, they are profoundly moved with sentiments of gratitude for his great service, and of veneration for his glorious memory, and are desirous to express and record their sense of peculiar obligation in an emphatic and a permanent manner: Therefore, be it.
Resolved, That the Council of the city of Richmond, in behalf of the citizens thereof, tender to the family of
Gen Stuart their deepest and most heartfelt condolence, and earnestly request that the remains of their great benefactor may be permitted to remain under the eye and guardianship of the people of
Richmond, and that they may be allowed to commemorate by a suitable monument their gratitude and his services.
Resolved, That the
President of the Council communicate a copy of the foregoing preamble and resolutions to the widow of
Gen Stuart, and if the request of the Council shall meet with her approbation, that a committee of three members be appointed, whose duty it shall be to report a design for a suitable monument and inscription, to some future meeting of this body.
’
Messrs. Randolph,
Denoon and
Hill were appointed a committee to carry out the foregoing resolutions.
