Meeting of the people of Henrico.
In Henrico County Court this day, on the motion of the
Commonwealth's Attorney,
John B. Young,
Esq., the session of the court and grand jury was adjourned for a short time, to give place to a
general meeting of the people, for the purpose of devising ways and means for obtaining supplies for the Army of Northern Virginia.
On motion of
Mr. Young,
John Nettles,
Esq., presiding justice, was appointed chairman, and
Mr. James T. Redd appointed secretary.
Before entering upon the proposed business, the following preamble and resolutions, offered by
Colonel Thomas H. Ellis, were adopted, without discussion:
"Whereas, the Congress of the Confederate States, for reasons declared by joint resolution, have invited the people of these States to assemble in public meetings and manifest anew their spirit of devotion to the cause of Independence, we, the people of
Henrico county, do therefore resolve:
- 1. "That having taken up arms in the beginning of this war from a conviction of right, and impelled by a sense of duty and honor, we meet the consequences now without despondency or complaint; that the difficulties and embarrassments with which we contend, and the disasters which have befallen us, do but inspire us with a firmer determination to devote our efforts and resources to resist the inhuman warfare still waged against us; and that, accepting the duties imposed upon us by the present season of trial and adversity, we pledge ourselves, by every sacrifice of service and of property, to maintain, as far as we can, the position of independent sovereignty which has been assumed by our State and the Confederacy.
- 2. "That recognizing the constancy and valor of our troops heretofore, we urge them, by all the privations and sufferings they have endured, by the memory of their comrades who have fallen, and by the glories of their unequal contest, to nerve themselves for further and even greater efforts hereafter, so that (citizens and soldiers alike performing their full duty) the world may know that we are a people resolved upon independence, and worthy of its blessings.
- 3. "That, considering the cause and course of this war, we should regard a reconstruction of the Union upon any terms as simply shame and dishonor.
- 4. "That it is the duty of those who remain at home to aid in supporting the families of our needy soldiers; and there fore we promise such systematic measures, in this regard, as may seem to be necessary and proper.
- 5. "That we have unshaken confidence in the ability, patriotism and devotion of President Davis; and applauding him for what he has accomplished in furtherance and support of our country's cause, we would cheer and sustain him in the performance of the high duties of his responsible office.
- 6. "That the appointment of General Lee as General-in-chief of the Armies of the Confederate States is received by us with great satisfaction; we confide in his ability to use to the utmost possible advantage the means placed at his disposal; and we trust that he may be preserved from all peril, to glorify with us the only Giver of all victory.
- 7. "That with reference to the employment of negroes as soldiers in our army we defer to the opinion of the General-in-chief that it is expedient and necessary — and therefore we will not withhold from him such an element of strength; it being our purpose to dedicate the whole power of the country to drive back the invader and secure the triumph of our arms.
- 8. "That we welcome to our midst our returned prisoners of war, whose loyalty and fortitude, evinced under the most trying circumstances, entitle them to our admiration, sympathy and respect.
- 9. "That the Congress of the Confederate States having invited the President to appoint a day of public fasting, humiliation and prayer, with thanksgiving, and the President having appointed the 10th instant for that purpose, we accept it as a solemn duty, and will observe the day in a becoming spirit."
Mr. Young then introduced to the meeting
the Rev. Cornelius Walker, D. D., who made a forcible and admirable address on the duty and necessity of contributing supplies of food for the army of Northern Virginia.
He spoke of the present as an emergency demanding prompt, vigorous and efficient action; referred to the rumors which had lately prevailed of an intention on the part of the
Government to evacuate
Richmond, and expressed the opinion that evacuation depends more upon the people at home, more upon their coming up to the necessity of the occasion, than upon the soldiers at the front.
He depicted the consequences of evacuation to the people of the city and of the surrounding country; consequences from which there could be no escape except by a course of individual conduct not to be thought of in connection with duty and principle.
he appealed to the people of this county not to let the brave men who are fighting for us — our rights of property, our personal safety and our independence — to suffer for what he was persuaded might be, and he was sure ought to be, cheerfully and immediately contributed — and he urged upon all to make donations, sales, or loans of subsistence or onsy; to give, it may be, out of their poverty, even as they had been in the habit of giving out of their abundance.
At the conclusion of his remarks, he offered the following resolutions for adoption:
- 1. "resolved, that the Justices of this Court be authorized to appoint a committee of three for each magisterial district to make effort for the raining of further supplies to the army.
- 2. "resolved, that said committee be authorized to receive at once or hereafter contributions in food or money."
the resolutions were sustained in appropriate remarks by
Messrs. Robert A. Mayo,
John N. Davis,
John B. Young,
Daniel Radcliffe and
William F. G. Garnett, and, having been seconded by
Captain Joseph J. English, were unanimously adopted.
it was announced that the Bureau of Subsistence had already appointed
Messrs. William F. D. Garnett,
John A. Hutcheson and
George D. Pleasants a committee for
Henrico county, to call the attention of every family to the wants of the army, and to urge them to contribute, in some way, as large a portion of their supplies as can possibly be spared.
to act in co-operation with that committee, the
Justices of the
Court then appointed the following committees under the first resolution offered by
the Rev. Dr. Walker, to wit:
- First District: W. C. Knight, R. A. Mayo, Jackson F. Childrey.
- Second District: Miles Eggleston, Jos. J. English, P. H. Huffman.
- Third District: James M. Carter, D. S. Delaplaine, George W. Carter.
- Fourth District: B. W. Green, Jr., William C. Moncure, Henry Austin.
On motion, the meeting then adjourned.
