New York Herald, 4/14/1865, p. 1, c. 4

NEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS.
The Restoration of Civil Authority in Virginia.
THE VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE CALLED TO MEET IN RICHMOND UNDER THE PROTECTION OF THE OLD FLAG.
[From the Richmond Whig, April 12]
ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA.

The undersigned, members of the Legislature of the State of Virginia, in connection with a number of 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 the 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 called 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 the State of Virginia, and the 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, Lieutenant Governor 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 natural 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 secured safe conduct from the military authorities of the United States for them to enter the city and depart without molestation: -
Hons. R. M. T. Hunter, A. T. Carpenter, Wm. C. Rives, John Letcher, A. H. H. Stuart, R. L. Montague, Fayette M. Mullen, J. P. Holcombe, Alex. Rives, B. Johnson Barbour, Jas. Barbour, Wm. L. Goggin, J. B. Baldwin, Thos. S. Gholson, Walter Staples, S. D. Miller, Thos. J. Randolph, Wm. T. Early, R. A. Claybrook, John Crutcher 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.
David J. Saunders, of the House of Delegates, Richmond city.
L. S. Hall, of the House of Delegates, Wetzel county.
J. J. English, of the House of Delegates, Henrico county.
Wm. Ambers, of the House of Delegates, Chesterfield county.
A. M. Keetz, House Delegate, Petersburg.
H. W. Thomas, Second Auditor, Richmond.
Lieutenant L. L. Moncure, Chief Clerk, Second Auditor's office.
Joseph Mayo, Mayor, city of Richmond.
Robert S. Howard, Clerk, Hustings Court, Richmond city.
Thomas W. Dudley, Sergeant, Richmond city.
Littleton Tazewell, Commonwealth's Attorney, Richmond city.
Wm. T. Jaynes, Judge of the Circuit Court, Petersburg.
John A. Meredith, Judge of the Circuit Court, Richmond.
Wm. H. Lyons, Judge of the Hustings Court, Richmond.
Wm. C. Wickham, Member of Congress, Richmond.
Benjamin S. Ewell, President of William and Mary College.
Nat. Tyler, editor Richmond Enquirer.
R. F. Walker, publisher, Examiner.
J. R. Anderson, Richmond.
R. R. Howison, Richmond.
W. Goddin, Richmond.
P. G. Bagley, Richmond.
F. J. Smith, Richmond.
Franklin Stearns, Henrico.
John Lyon, Petersburg.
Thomas B. Fisher, 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.

THECALLING OF THEVIRGINIA LEGISLATURE – THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS THE RESTORATION OF THE STATE TO THE UNION.
[From the Richmond Whig, April 12]

It is understood that this invitation has been put forth in pursuance of the plan of proceeding assented to by President Lincoln. At all events it will be hailed by the great body of the people of Virginia as the First step toward the reinstatement of the Old Dominion in the Union. It is probably that some of the members of the Legislature may decline to come. In every such case the people of the county or Senatorial district should select some influential and intelligent citizen, who is willing to take part in this business, and commission him, as far as they can, to represent them at the conference.
The views and purposes of the members of the Legislature should be ascertained at once. Every one can foresee difficulties in the way of formal action; in the beginning several complex questions are to be met at the threshold; but "where there is a will there is a way," and whatever the difficulties presented the important business must be undertaken.

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