s many would have preferred submission to Lincoln,
but then they could not save their slaves. Immediately following Mr.
Benjamin's speech on the 11th, a bill was introduced into the House of
Representatives authorizing the enlistment of 200,000 slaves, with the
consent of their owners. As a test of its strength a motion was made for
the rejection of this bill, and the vote not to reject it was more than
two to one. There was every indication that the bill would pass. It was
while this measure was under discussion that General Lee wrote the
letter which follows in answer to one of inquiry from a member of the
House:

"HEADQUARTERS CONFEDERATE STATE ARMIES,

"February 18th, 1865.

"Hon. Barksdale, House of Representatives, Richmond.

"SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your
letter of the 12th inst. with reference to the employment of
negroes as soldiers. I think the measure not only expedient
but necessary. The enemy will certainly use them against us
if he can get possession of them, and as his present
numerical superiority will enable him to penetrate many
parts of the country, I can not see the wisdom of the policy
of holding them to await his arrival, when we may, by timely
action and judicious management, use them to arrest his
progress. I do not think that our white population can
supply the necessities of a long war without overtaxing its
capacity, and imposing great suffering upon our people; and
I believe we should provide resources for a protracted
struggle, not merely for a battle or a campaign.

"In answer to your second question I can only say that, in
my opinion, under proper circumstances the negroes will make
efficient soldiers. I think we could at least do as well
with them as the enemy, and he attaches great importance to
their assistance. Under good officers and good instructions
I do not see why they should not become soldiers. They
possess all the physical qualifications, and their habits of
obedience constitute a good formulation for discipline. They
furnish a more promising material than many armies of which
we read in history, which owed their efficiency to
discipline alone. I think those employed should be freed.
It would be neither wisdom nor justice, in my opinion, to
require them to se