The New York Herald Newspaper, April 12, 1865, Page 1

at WHOLE NO. 10,453. RICHMOND. ‘mportant Measures to Restore Virginia to the Union. A Deputation Sent to Invite the Virginia Legislature to Return to Richmoufl. Thirty Millions of Property De- stroyed in the Late Confla- gration by the Enemy. AN’ INTERESTING SCRAP OF HISTORY. General Lee’s Promotion to the Com- mand of the Rebel Armies, His Reception by the Virginia Convention. ‘ Zhe Citizens of Richmond Fast Growing Loyal, &e., &e., &e. Mr. William H. Merriam’s Despatches. Ricumony, April 9, 1865. ‘VISITORS TO RICHMOND. Richmond is still enveloped in excitement, and I can- ‘20t perceive as yet any abatement, It | the truth @omewliat in the rear to say that almost everybody emi-_ ment has visited and is now viewing the precincts of this captured city, The provost marshals of the North must row lean with labor in supplying passes to the regiments, brigades, divisions, corps and columns of people who are knocking at these gates for admission. The President of the United States came and caw, and, it may be added, ‘Conquered; Senators and legislators of less degree followed in rapid succession; and in all the throng yesterday I noticed the Vice President, accompanied by Senator Sumner, riding along Clay street in an ambu- lance; but I shall not stop to notice or name the long array of eminent men and lovely women who have Gocked to thie city since Monday last, 4 PARADE OF THE TWENTY-FOURTH CORPS. To-day Richmond has witnessed a glory which she could now ill afford to spare the remembrance of. A di- vision of tried and faithful troops from the Twenty- fourth army corps of the Army of the James, who have been patiently waiting for the opportunity to walk these strects unmolested, have marched them with all the accompaniments of military display. Accompanying the command, I had 8 fair opportunity of Witnessing this triumph. of our arms, and a more im- Pressive and striking military: pageant has seldom oc- @urred. Tho streets were’ lined literally with gaping rebels ready to take the oath, and a more motley set of Rabitans \t. would be, indeed, dificult to “fish up.” I @an scarcely toll you how penitent these really impeni- Aent Richmondites appeared as the division passed Shrough the city. They gazed at tho glittering uniforms ‘@f the officers and then at their own rags. They turned their eyes to behold the glistening bayonets that had aided to assert the supremaey of the constitution with a success wholly destitute of any vaiiity on our part, and ‘wondered why they had ever been rebels, without appa- wently desiring to surrender their opinions though their bodies were ours. The review was full of purport and an evidence of the march of events. ‘MBASURES FOR THE RESTORATION OF VIRGINA TO THE UNION. ‘This morning @ deputation, consisting of Henry W. ‘Thomas, former State Senator from the Fairfax district, and more recently Second State Auditor; DavidJ. Burr, member of the House of Delegates from this city; @eneral Joseph B. Anderson, proprietor of the Tredegar ‘Works; and Nathaniel Tyler, part proprietor of the Rich- mond Enquirer, leave for Lynchburg for the purpose of fnviting the Virginia Legislature back to Richmond. ‘This movement is conducted under the immediate aus- “pices of Judge Campbell, R, M. T. Hunter, and others of © class of Southern men who are just now unable to etermine whether they are on foot or horseback, so far as the Confederacy may be concerned. Several mem- ders of the Virginia Legislature who remained here after the evacuation are working zealously in behalf of ‘the return of Virginia to the Union, and—the statement will startle you, ag coming from living men—upon the ®ondition of the abolition of slavery. A mummy of Qhree thousand years standing in Egyptian catacombs, Qpproaching with a proposition about slavery, in this risis of Southern fate, ought to be embalmed by Dr. Bill in order to modernize him and Jet him know what is going on, The members who favor this undertaking, it te proper to state, are among the influential of this body end State, ‘The city aswessor of Richmond estimates the losses by || Ge conflagration resulting from Ewell’s erder to burn the tobacco at two-thirds of the aggrogate value of the whole city, The area embraced by the fire comprised the great business partion of the town; while the afhount ef goods stored in the burned buildings enhances to the extent of fifty per cont the losses sustained by.the de- @roction of houses. Thirty millions of dollars will hardly cover the lesses in every way and from every yy THR FIRST RATIONAL BANK IN RICHMOND, ‘The First National Bank of Richmond is to go, into eperation in the course of ten days, The Hon. John Van Buron was’ a guest of General ‘Weitzel ip the late halls of Jeif. yesterday. ‘THE FRENCH TOBACCO. It has been ascertained that on!y eight hundred hogs- heads of the F.ench tobacco were destroyed by the late Sonflagration. From this it will be seen that the duties of the French consul this city are measurably lightened. GENERAL PATRICK ‘a coming to establish bis headquarters tn Richmond. Phe army headquarters will soon be moved here. Ricmmonp, April 10, 1865, ‘The news of the surrender of General Lee is in con- ‘ormity with a promise made to the Virginia Secession yonvention under the most solemn circumstances, It ‘ill be soon by the following proceedings that he pledgd vineelf never to draw his sword except in defence of ‘irginia alone. {ENEAAL LAK RECOMMENDED FOR THE COMMAND OF TIR REBEL ARMIIGS, On the 224 day of April, 1861, the following proceedings coured tn the secret session of the Virginia Conven- Sd led ‘The President Inid before ommunteation from the phe ge a hg Somes vealih Exacurive Darantunnt, April 22, 1861, ENTLEWER OF TOR big le . i Thereby nominate, and, with your advieo and consent, ppotnt Colonel Robert EB, Lee to the office of Commander {the Military and Naval Forces of the state of V: ith the rank of major general. Talent, experion: ovotion to the interests of Virginia fit him in an emin« ‘gree for the exaltod position he is nominated to, fill, ‘tatfords me pleasure to assure you, upon undoubted wiimony, that his resignation as an offlerr of the army (the Un tod States was determined upon before the pas- tee of your ordinance creating thy which it is now ‘opamedvo fll, TF trust the nomination will meet your yprovation, and that it be your es to receive him \upem Convention to-morrow, tf JOHN LETCHER, GENBRAL LEE'S CONFIRMATION. On motion of Mr, Cerroner, the nomination was wnani- ously confirmed, On motion of Mr. Kray, the injunction of secresy was + moved, 80 far ax the confirmation of Major General Lee ss concerned, \y COURTENRS OF THR VIRGINIA CONVENTION ON THR OC CAHON, Om motion of Mr. Paestox, the following resolutions ore adopted — Rorvlved, That the Governor of Virginia and the Advisory . ee Qouncll, and the Hon. Alexander H. Stephens, Vice Presi- dent of the Confederate States, are hereby respecifully (n- vited to attend the reception by this Convention of Robert &. Lee, upon his appolniment as commander of the militas and naval forces of the State of Virginia, with the rank 0 ‘major general, in this hall, at twelve o'clock M. on to-mor- 1, tow. And it ts further Resolved, That the Governor, Advisory Connell and Major General Robert 5. Lee be, and they ere hereby, invited to be present at the address to be delivered by the Hon, A. H. Stephens, at one o'clock on to-morrow. On motion of Mr, Jonxsiox, the following resolution was adopted :— Resolved, That a committee of four be appointed to invite Major General Robert E. Lee toattend the Convention to- morrow, at twelve o'olock M., to be received by said Conven- Mon in secret session. ‘The PawsipexT annonnced the following committee, in accordance With the torezoing resolution :—Messra, Jolin- son, Jobnston, Sutherlin and Criteher. On motion of Mr. Toxxex, of Jackson, the Convention adjourned. Tvespay, April 28, 1861. After the custo opening of business was concluded, General Lee's reception was made the order. The official ener recorded the reception of Major General Lec as lows:— ‘ ‘The Presper or-rar Convention—I am informed that Major General Lee is now in theCapitol, and will present himself whenever it be the pleasure of the Convention to receive him. Mr. Mortox—I would inquire whether appropriate seats have been assigned for the Vice President of the Confederate States and other invited gueste? The Preaneyt—Yes, sir. The Chair would su; that the invited guests ‘be first introdvced into the hall and assigned their seats before Major General Lee is in- vited into the hall. Mr. Suxyrsy—I wonld suggest, in conformity with the suggestions of gentlem’n arotind me, that the Con-- vention ought to receive Major General Lee standin, ‘he Presipert—The Chair would merely asked the at- tention of the Convention to the suggestion. Mr. Jonxeton then introduced Judge Allen, a member of the Advisory Council. Mr. Crstoner next introduced Colonel Smith, tf the Virginia Military Institute, Mr. Morroy—I would suggest whether it would not be roper to rvcelye the Vice President of the Confederate tates standing. ae Paxsipent—It will be 80 understood by the Con- vention. At this stago of the proceedings the Hon. A. H. Stephens, Vice President of the Confederate States, entered the hall, accompanied by the Goyernor, and was Introduced to the President by Mr. Johnston, a member of the committee be Sarto to Invite and conduct that gentleman to the hall. Mr. Morton introduced Captain M. F. Maury, late of the United States Navy, who, with Colonel Smith, con- stitute the other members of the Advisory Council. Every delegate was oa his feet during this ceremony. The Governor and Mr. Stephens were assigned sents nthe right of the President and the three members of the Advisory Council on the left. GHNERAT, LEE ENTERS THE CONVENTION. At this tim» Major General Lee entered, leaning on the arm of Mr. Johnson, of Richmond, chairman of the committee appointed to conduct the ‘distmguished mili- tary chief t the hall. As they reached the main aisle Mr. Jonyson said:—Mr. President, I have the honor to present to you and to the Convention Major General Lee. The Pr:sipxxt—Major General Leo, in the name of the people of your native State, here represented, I bid you cordial and heartfelt welcome to this hall, in which we may almost yct hear the echo of the voicce of the statesmen, the soldiers and sazes of by-gone days, who re borne your name, and whose blood now flows in your veins. @ met in the month of February last, charged with the solemn duty of peteeting. the rights, the honor and the interests of the people of this Commonwealth, We differed for a time as to the best means of accom. Plishing that object; but there never was, at any mo- ment, a shade of difference among us as to the great object itself; and now, Virginia having taken her position, as far as the power of this Convention extends, we stand anfmated by one impulse, governed by one desire and one determination, and that is that she shall be defended, and that no spot of her soil shall be polluted by the foot of = ele a en the necessity became apparent of having a leader for our forces, all hearts and all eyes, by cep dg pulse of an instinct which ig a surer guide than reason itself, turned to the old county of Westmorland. We knew how prolific she had been, in other of heroes and statesmen. We knew she had given birth to the Father of his Country; to Richard Henry Lee, to Mon- ‘and last, though not least, to your own gallant 3; and we knew well, by your own deods, that her productive power was not yet exhausted. Sir, we watched with the most profound and intense interest the triumphal march of the led by General Scott, to roich zon were attached, fro1 i ym Vera Cruz tothe read of the sanguinary conflicts and in all of which victory perched wo knew of the unfading lustre ments was due to your valor and your m'li enius. ‘Str, ‘one of the proudest recollections of my life will be the honor that I had of submitting to this body the confirmation of the nominatiou made the Governor of this State of you as commander-in chief of the military and naval forces of this Commonwealth. I rose ta put the question, and when I asked if this body would advise and consent to that appointment, there Sir, we have, by this unanimous v expressed our convictions Tarver ‘are, at this May donee the si fee becca “first in war.” We i to you may so conduct the operations argergthat {t will soon be sald of you, that you are ‘first in peace,” and when that time you will have earned the still prouder distinction of betng ‘‘first in the hearts of your countrymen.” I will close with.one more remark. ‘When the Father of his Country made his last wil! and testament he gave his swords to his favorite nephows, an injunction that they should never be drawn from their scabbards, except in self-defence or in defence Of the rights and liberties of their country; and that, if -drawn for the latter purpose, they should fall with them tm their hands, rather than relinquish them, ae ‘esterday, your mot! placed her sword in your handy the ‘tj condition that we know you will keep to the letter and in spi that you ‘will draw it only in her defence, and rat poe will fall with it (a your hand rather than the 4) i for which it was shall fail. (Ap- ‘Major General Lre responded as follows:— GENERAL LEB’s SPEECH. Mr. Parsiext axp GwuTLeNEn oF THE CoxvENTioN— Profoundly impressed with the solemnity of the occa- sion, for which I must say I was not prepared, I accept the ass me by your —a . Twould have much preferred your choice fallen oh an abler man. aot God, an ‘ing conscience, and the aid low citizens, devote myself to the service of my native State, in whose behalf alone will I ever draw my sword. (Applause. ) ‘The chair was then in the introductions of and some time was spent and the tender to him of congratulations by the mom” to Major General U ming the chair, the Prespevr formally in. troduced Vice Presid Stépie ‘Special Commissioner py Ovniederate States of America, who addrensed On motion of Mr. Crrrorer, the Convention took 3 vent are ores until four o'clock P. M. Mr. William H. Stiner’s Despatch. reapers oy srry Ot THE REREL CAPITAL. One short week ago to-day the devoted denizens of this city were in feverish anxiety concerning the ovacua- tion of their hitherto capital, and the expected entrée of the Union army. Then the pest part of the business locality was in flames, and burning with @ rapidity which not only defied the exertions of the fremen, but threat- ened to destroy the whole city, To-day the fire is sub- dued, after having devoured millions of dollars worth of Property. The wheels of the newly established govern- ment are well greased, and running very smoothly; and the citizens generally are rejoiced at the change of affairs, and are quietly settling down, satisfled with the new régime inaugurated by the defenders of the noble old flag, and that fte guardians throttled the snake rebellion in its own nest, Among the many visitors to this place was your cor. respondent, who, finding military affairs at Fortress Monroe uninteresting and monotonous, sought for a wider field to exercise his functions, and the ex-capital of the decayed confederacy offere the inducement in a most ample form. At half-past twelve o'clock yesterday afternoon I arrived here from City Point, on the mail steamer Metamora, Captain Win. Van Valkenburgh, land- ing at Rockette. A walk of two miles or more in a broiling hot sun brought the passengers to this hotel, the only one open as yet for business, by Messrs, Millward, Crow. ley & Co, ‘the throng of officers, business men, generals, Assistant Secretary of War Dava, and others’ of loeset light, are stopping here, and in consequen «© the house is crowed to repletion; and only for the fact that Captain Millward, late captain of the post at Fortress Monroe, ‘was an old frend, | obtained a bed in one of the sky par. lors. ‘Thus am 1 domic'led, and if the elevation I oceupy over the : ity of R.chmond uid's the current of thought this epiailo should soar very hich, THE CONFIAGRATL N AND ITS EXTENT, The damago by the couflagration, caused by that drunken brute Ewell, as he is call d here, can hardly be extimn: if cipherod in rebel currency. Tn green- backs it will not fall short of (rom twenty to thirty millions of dollars, Tobacco, cotton goods, ma hinery stores, warehouses, banks, shops, stalls, dwellings, an¢ even hovelsof mechanicsepd laborers, did not escape the terribie fury of the tire, ri¢h and poor, loyal and dis- loyal suffered alike, and unanimously agreo that the act was vandalism uncalled for, and tended to bring whole- sale destruction on the entire city, Main street, from the landing up to the Spottswood Hotel, on both rides of the street, is one heap of smouldering ruins. ‘ihe Walls, as @ general thing, have en puiled down, and the é greater portion of the streot is blocked up by bricks from the ruin. which are NEW YORK, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 1865. fast being ground into fine powder by the many army Wagons passing up and down, giving the pedestrian more of au appearance of baving walked through the Btate of New Jersey than the pr ncipal street of (he rebel capital, Whether the stores and houses destroyed will ever be rebuilt is a queston of tme and money. Cer. tain it is, however, that Northern enterprise amd caplial will have to do it, if done at all. TOE RACK FOR Stores, In consequence of the demolition of the many stores there is a scarcity of warchouses ; and there being so many persons here 8 eking to establish business, there is @ great demand for places, aud the owners, havine their eye to proft, demand exorbitant prices, and im some instances inferior stors have rented for the enormous sum of $5,600 per annum. Whether the amount of trade which these sp-culators expect to do Will justify such a heavy outlay time only will show. ‘THE FRELING IN THR CITY. ‘The general fecling of the people, trom what I have been able to judg, in conversation with several of the |” old residents yesterday, is a spirit of m ekness and dls- Powe aye to become good and loyal citizens of the United tates government, and receive that protection under the old flag which the rattlesnake banner could not aiford. A very respectable old geuthman whom I met inthe atreet T engaged in conv: rsation, and from hit I obtained A great deal of loop aerg Meeting He said that he been a resident of Richmond for more than forty zone. He had been opposed to secession from the start, uta despotic, tyrannical and unscrupulovs government checked every outburst of Union sentiment, and punished such treason with the utmost rigor. He Tepeated the statement that nothing of the contem- plated evacuation was known until Sunday ovoning ‘at eight o'clock, and the wealieeass was recelved wit! great delight by those entertaining Union sentiments, and with apprehension by the secesh sympathizers. However, the Yankees have come, and their pr sence for an entire week has not only reconciled the people to the change, but every one is loud in praise of the manly and upright conduct of the Union troops. People now can go to bed with some degree of safety, without dreading Tobbery, ‘and even murder, and amply asstired by the able commander of full protection to ilte and property. Un- like Norfolk and other heretofore captui cities, the ladies are not so bitter. They venture into the streets more freely, and our officers and soldiers are treated with atrespect. Tha suffering among the poorer classes for provisions is very exteusive, and even a number of once wealthy familtes are reduced to the necessity of ap- plying to the United States commissary of subsistence for soldiers’ rations to subsist their families upon. Ke- lief to these people is granted judiciously and without stint, and gratefully received. On the whole, the inhab- itants generally look upon our occupation of ‘Richmond, a8 the leaders of the late rebel government did upon Lee’s, Sobuston’s and Bragg’s defeats, as a ‘blessing in dis- guise.” Mr. Theodore C. Wilson’s Despatch. Ricumoxp, Va., April 9, 1865. PRRVICES AT ST. PAUL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, At St. Paul's Episcopal church the pastor to-day prayed for “‘all those in authority,” leaving out the President of the United States. This was the church to which Mr. Jefferson Davis and family were in the habit of going for the purpose of displaying their pious (?) devotion. Tho congregation presented a sorry sight. It was mostly composed of women. These were nearly all dressed in biack. During the services not a few of them were much touched and even cried. There are about five hundred guests to-night at the Spottswood Hotel. Major General Silas Carey and several other distinguished officers are stopping bere. NEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS. Slavery Dead in Virginia. [From the Richmond Whig, April 10.) Whatever may be the fate of ‘the constitutional amendment, it is as certain as sunrise that slavery in Virginia is doad. A National Bank in Richmond. [From the Richmond Whiz, April 10.) A national bank of the United States is to be immedi- ately established in Richmond, where shares jn United States stocks will be sold at the rates established in Northern cities, ia Value of the Property Destroyed During the Evaevation of Richmond. mmo age the Richmond ‘Whig, April 10) oa aggregate value of the property destroyed im Rich- mond foots up $2,146,240. Tinposing as these figures pear, they are far short of the truth, for the reason al- Teady stated: that real estate was, before the war, inva- riably assessed much below the value which it would have commanded inthe market. Our list covers no more than the value of the bricks and mortar. The Richmond Hospitals, ym the Richmond ig be 10.) All the hospitals of Richmond have been taken pos- session of by the milttary authorities, and are used for the care and comfort equally of the Union and rebol sick and wounded. A number of rebel surgeons left in the city have been to attend to the rebel sick and wounded. The Chimborazo, Winder, Jackson and Howard’s Grove Dospitals— four of the principal rebel hospitals—are for the accomm: mn of the Unien wounded. Their accommodations are for about twenty-four thousand which accommodations were left entirely by the authorities, More Than Half of General Pickett’s (wrens the Boke Ney Whi ‘Apr! 10.) the mon 5 More than half of Goncral Pickett's division has been brought inor captured, and the country between Rich- mond and Amelia, county 1s sald to be full of rebel sol diers, nearly all of them Virginians, making their way to thoir homes. Rebel prison to the number of eight hunred or one thousand, have been received in the city within the past forty-elght hours, and consigned to the Libby prison, 0 Castle is used as a receptacle for citizen prisoners, hom quite a number are gathered there, Manchester and Richyond nected. From the Richmond Whig, April 10.)* Manchester was mot at all d.etui by the pillagers on Monday morning last, neither did the fre reach that trans James district. A pontoon bridge spans the river now, and connects Richmond with Manchester and we hops that business will soon revive and pervade both sections alike. Review of Gencral Ords Corps at Rich- mond, {From the Richmond Whig, April 10.) Saturday afternoon was rendered @ remarkable day in Richmond by the first review and parade of the United States forces occupying the 4 ‘These troops composed the Third division of the Twenty- fourth army corps, of the Ariny of the James, cowmand- Major General Godfrey Weitzel, ed by im absence of one bed under the immediate id of were im comman: Brigatior Abuoral Charles Davies review was appointed for two o'clock, on East Main street—the Ieft of the cofumn to rest on the out- skirts of the city, and the right, westwart, towards the heart of the city. By the hour of noon hundreds of cittrens, male and female, had taken a favorable position from which a view of the military” spectact> could be obtained. The windows and doo ¢ more thana mile along Main street, were cro with spectators, who watched with interest the mand@avres of the various iments, bat- teriesand squadrons as they passed, wheeled into tine and took up their positions, until the'line, far as the eye could see, shone in the suna glittering hedge of bayonets, Gay banners and bands intersperced the line at inter- vals, and couriers went and came, carrying orders and keoping both wings in communication. An hour beyond the time appointed passed, and yet Brigadier General Devens and staff, who were first to re- view the troops, had not made their ce. Finally, however, a flourish of trumpets announced his approaca, ‘and the General, with @ splendidly mounted and appear: ing staff, approached the line from the left, the mounted band on tho extreme right striking up, ‘Hail to the chief who in triumph advances,” During the performance of this gir General Devens and stall rode down the right, but madé a detour through Fi. tenth and streeta, and rode rapidly to the extreme left of the line on the outskirts, From this point the review was accomplished, the Gen- eral and galloping froin left to right, the line com- ing toa“ present arms” as he passed, and the bands striking up. General Devens alone carried his hat in his hand, and this distinction caused him to be easily recognized by the citizens, At points on the line he was heartily cheered by the troops. Long accustomed as rebel eyes have been to the once ‘all pervading ‘‘gray,” we do not believe that the eudden substitution of “biue’’ as the prevailing Color is distaste ful to many.of our citizens, thousands of whom looked on the military spectacie of Saturday, not as the divplay of prowess on the part of a triamphant foe, but a en exhibition of the milita United States, which all pride. None of the colored troops appeared on the parade or enlus and resources of (he can again couvempiate with roview; but it is aad that a separate display of them will | probably take place before long. One feature of the display was evident to every ob. ferver, and that was the supertor drill, morale and div ipline man fested by the men in their marching and soldierly bearing; the perfect condition of thee aris and equipments, burnished to a dazziiny brightness: the baitories drawn by well-trained horses, fat and sleek and substantially caparivoned—all in ptr king contrast to what the citizens have been accustomed for the four years during which Richmond was heid by the rebol army. The reporter passed over the greater part of the jrnde, and did not witness or hear of a «nyle unple dent to mar the general harmonious charac r oF the day, ‘The citizons. viewed the military pageant with eitent Interest from their sidewalks, doors and windows; and if they did not openly rejoice at the appearance of the “old Flag of the Union,” tere were no expressions that could be construed into derision or contempt for it. ‘The soldiers, on the other hand, abstained from those boisterous shouts of exultation that might have been ex- peoted, and marched orderly and quiet, as tho gh ue sirous ‘of abstaizing from any unnecessary demonstra tions that inight tend to give offence to the étizens. ‘Aliogether eltitens nnd roldices have aug: toc nen tulate themselves on the reaulkof the first review and ote of tho United States (ros in the cavital of onginia, OUR VICTORIES. Important Speech cf) President Lincoln. His Views on the Peace, Reconstruction and Emancipation Questions. Splendid Compliment to Gen. Grant and His Officers and Soldiers. 4& Day of National Thanksgiving to be Appointed. Graud Thanksgiving Service in Trinity Church. One Hundred Guns Fired in Union Square, &., WASHINGTON. ILLUMINATION OF THE PUBLIC BUILDINGS—SPEECH OF THE PRESIDENT, ETC. Wasminarox, April 11, 1865. Tho Executive Departments, including the President’s ‘Mansion, were again illuminated to-night, and adorned | with tranyparenc es and national flags, as were also many places of business and private dwellings, Bontires blazed in many parts of the city and rcekets wero fired, Thousands of porsons of both sexes repaired to the Exe- cutive Mansion, and after eeveral airs ‘had been played by the band, the President, in response to the unanimous call, appeared at an upper window. The cheering with Which he was greeted having ceased, he spoke as fol- lowa:— &e., &e, SPEECH OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN. We meet this evening not in sorrow, but in gladness of heart. The evacuation of Petersburg and Richmond, nd the surrender of the principal insurgent army, give hopes ef @ righteous and speedy peace, whose Joyous expression cannot be restrained. In the midst of thts, however; He from whom all blessings flow must not bo forgotton. A call for a national thanekgiving is being prepared and will be duly promulgated. Nor must those whose larder part gives us the cause of rejoicing be overlooked. Their honors must not be parcelled out aw.th others. I inyself was near the front, and had the high pleasure of transmitting much of the good news to you. But no part of the honor for plan or executipn 1s mine. To General Grant, hits skilful officers and brave men all be- longs, The. gallant navy stood ready, but was not in reuch to take active part. By these recent succcases the re- inauguration of the national authority—reconstruction— which has had a large share of thought from the first, is pressed much more closely upon our attention. It ts fraught with great difficulty. Unlike acase of war be, tween isklependent nations, there ts mo authorized organ for us to treat with—no one man has authority to give up the rebellion for any other man. We simply must begin with and mould from disorganized and discordant elo- ments. Nor is it a small additional embarrassment that wo, the loyal people, differ among ourselves as to the mode, manner and measure of reconstruction, As @ general rule I abstain from reading the reports of at- tacks upon myself, wishing not to be provaked by that to which I cannot properly offer an answer. In spite of this precaution, however, it comes to my Enowledge that I am much censured for some supposed agency in setting up and seeking to sustain the new State government of Louisiana. In this T bave done so much and no more than the public knows. In the annual message of December, 1863, and the ac- companying proclamation, I presenied a plan of recon- straction, as the phrase gocs, which 1 promised, if adopted by any State, would be acocptable to and sus- tained by the executive government of the nation. I distinctly stated that this was not the only plan which might possibly be acceptable, and I also distinctly pro- tated that the executive claimed no right to say when or whether member.’should be admitted to seats in Con- grees from such States. Tht plan was in advance sub- mitted to the them Cabinet, and approved by every membor of it, One of them suggested that I shanld then and iv that connection apply the emancipation pro- clamation to the heretofore excepted parts of Virginia and Loulstana; that I should drop the suggestion about apprenticeship for freed people, and that I shoubd omtt the protest against my own power to regard to the ad- mission of members of Congress. But even he approved every part and pascel of the plan which has since been employed or toushed by the action of Louisiana, The new constitutlwn of Louisiana, declaring jon. for the whole State, Practically applies the ion to the part previous. ly excepted. It doos not adopt apprenticeship for freed People, and is silent, a8- it could not well be otherwise, about the admission of members to Congress, So that as it applied to Louisiana every member of the Cabinet fully approved the ‘Tho message went to Congrera, and I received many commendations of the plan, writ- ten and verbal, and not a single objection to it from any Proeseed emaucipationist came to my knowledge until after the news reached Washington that the people of Loutsiana had begun to mov» in accordance with it. From about July, 1962, 1 had corresponded with diffrent per- fons supposed to be interested in seeking a reconstruc. tion of a State government for Louisiana, When the message of 1863, with the plan before mentionnd, reached New Orleans General Banks wrote mo that he was conti dent that the people, with his military co-operation, would reconstruct substantially on that plan, I wrote to him and some of them to try it, They tried it, and the result i# known. Such bas been my only ngency in grtting up the Lovtsiana government, As to susteining it, my promise is out, as before stated, But as bad promises are better broken than kept, I shall treat this as @ bad promiso, and break it whenever I shall be convinced that keeping It Is adverse to the public interest, but T have not yot been so convinced. IT have been shown a totter on this sulject, supposed to be an- able one, in which the writer expresses regret that my mind has not seemed to be definitely fixed upon the question whether the seceded Hates, ro called, are in the Union or out of it. It would tuatetne Thave found professed Union men endeavor | ing to answer that question I have purposely fordome tho receded States, #0 called, aro out of thelr pro Leal relation with the Union, and that the sole object of the government, civil ond military, in regard to those States, I to again get them into that proper practical relation, I believe that it is not only porsit but in fact easier, to do this with out amg oF even considering whether thove tates have éver been out of the Union than with it, Finding themselves rafely at home it would bo utterly fiomaterial whether they had boen abrond Let us all join in doing the acts necorsary @y roatore the Prop r practical relations between these States and the Union, and each forever after innocently indulge h own opinion whether .o doing the acts he brought Btates from Without into the Union, or only vave them ( proper aasistancs, they never having been out of It perlnps add astoniehment to his regret were he to learn | axy publio expression upon it, Aw appears to me, that | } question has mot been nor yet is a practically material one, and that any discussion of is while it thus remains practically immaterial, could have no effuct other than the mischievous one of dividing our fronds, As yet, Whatever it may Lecome, that question in bad as the basis Of a controversy and good for nothing at all—a merely pernicious abstraction. We all agres a THE NEW YORK HERALD. PRICE FOUR CENTS. The amount of constituency, #0 to speak, on which the Louisiana goverument rests, would be more satisfactory toall if t contained fifty thousand or thirty thousand, or even twenty thousand, instead of twelve thousand, as It does. It is also unsatisfactory to some that the elections: franchise is not giver to the colored man. I would my- self prefer that it were now conferred on the very \ntel- ligent, and on those who serve our cause as soldiers, Still, the question is not whether the Louisiana govern- ment, as it stands, is quite all that is desirable, The question is, will it be wiser to take it as it is and help to improve it, or to reject and disperse? Can Loulsi- ana be broucht into proper practical relation with the Union sooner by sustaning or by dis- carding her vew State government? Some twelve thousand votes in the heretofore slave State of Louisiana have sworn allegiance to the Union, assumed to be the rightful political power of the State, held elections, organised @ State government, adopted a free State constitution, giving the benefit of public schools equally to black and white, and empowering the Legislature to confer the electrial franchise upon the colored maa. This Legislature bas already voted to ratify the con- stitutional amendment recently passed by Congress abolishing slavery throughout the nation. These twelve thousand persons are thus fully committed to the Union and to perpetuate freedom in’ the State—committed to the very things, and nearly all things the nation wants—and they ask the nation’s recognition and its assistance to make good this committal. Now, if we reject and spurn them, we do oar utmost to disorganize and disperso them. We, in fact, say to the white man: You are worthless or worse; wo will neither help you nor be helped by you, To the blacks we say: This cup of liberty which these, your old mas- ‘ters, held to your lips, we will dash from you and leave you to the chances of gathering the spilled and scattered contents in some vague and undetined when, where and how. If this course, discouraging and paralyzing both white and black, has any tendency to bring Louisiana itito proper practical relations with the Union, I have so far been unable to perceive it, If, on the contrary, we recognize and sustain the new fovern-* ment of Louisiana, the converse of al! this is made true. We encourage the hearts and nerve the arms of twelve thousand to adhere to their work and argue for it, and progelyte for it, and fight for it, aud feed it, and grow it, and ripen it to a complete success. The colored man, too, in seeing all united for him, is inspired with vigi- lance, and energy, and daring to the same end. Grant that he desires the elective franchise, will he not attain it sooner by seeing the already advanced steps towards it than by runn’ng backward over them? Concede that the new government of Louisiana is only to what it should be as the egg Is to the fowl, we shall sooner have the fowl by hatching the egg than by smashing tt. (Laughter.) Again, if we reject Louisiana we also reject one vote in favor of the proposed amendment to the aational constitution. To meet this proposition it has Deen argued that no more than three-fourths of those States which have not attempted secession are necessary to validly ratify the amendment. I do not commit my- self aguinst this further than to say that such a ratifi-a- tion would be qudstionable, and sure to be persistently questioned, while @ ratification by three-fourths of all the States would be unquestioned and unquestionable. I repeat che question, can Louisjana be brought into propor practical*relation with the Union sooner by sustaining or by discarding the new State government? What has been «aid of Louisiana will apply to other States, And yet ‘80 great peculiarities pertain to each State, and such im- portant and sudden changes occur inthe same State, ‘end withal so new and unprecedented is the whole case, that no exclusive and inflexible plan can safely be prescribed as to details and collaterals. Such exclusive and inflexible plan would surely become a new entangle- ment. Important principles may and must be inflexible. In the present etuation, as the phrase goes, it may be my duty to make some new announcement to the people of the South. Iam considering and shall not fail to act when satisfied that action will be proper. The President, during the delivery of the above speech, was frequently interrupted by applause, and on its con- clusion, in the midst of the cheering, the band struck up & patriotic air, when he bowed and retired. There were r-peated calls for Senaior Sumner, but he ‘was not present. Senator Haray, of Iowa, was thon called for, and, after the applause had subsided, he directed attention to two principles settled or to be settled by the closing con- test. First, the American people had de- cided that the majority of the votes of the republic showki control Ms destinies and the incipient processes of making its laws. Second, that no part of the republic should ever be permitted by force to divide it. Th pagishment of traitors lays ia the hands of . and the constitution pointed out clearly what constituted treason. Those who hatched the treason should suffer the penalty; and, under Con- gress, he was willing to trust the future in the hands of the citizens elected a sooond time to see the laws faith- fully executed. Senator Harlan’s remarks were ap- plauded . THE TE DEUM AT TRINITY CHURCH. Yesterday, tn response to a esl] signed by some of the leading merchants ef the city, a solemn service of thanksgiving was colebrated in Trinity»eburch. Few nobler or more impressive sights have been witner ed within the walls of the sacred building. Every portion of the church was occupied by @ devout and grateful congregation, and hundreds were nnable to obtain ad- mission to the building. Before the commencewent of the service Mr. Ayliffe rang several changea on the beau- tifal bells of Trinity, among which the appropriate Ventie Aderemus was especially notable. Punctually at one o'clock the special service was com- menead. After the collect, “Prevent us, O Lord, in all our doings,” &c., had been offered by the Rev. Dr. Vinton, the clergy and choir mqved in proces- sion from the vestry room to the chancel. Bhe cho'r consisted of twenty-two boys and twenty men, the for- mer being he regular choir of the church. Among the principal singers were:—Tenori, Messrs, Mayer and Weeks; basi, Messrs. Aiken and Woodman; soprani, Masters Coker and Ellard. Dr. Cutler presided at the choral organ, and Mr. Diller at the large organ. The short notice given of the service preciuded anything like careful preparation; but asa whole the music was ren- dored with foree and effect. Of the other portion of the rervice tt may be said that it was admirably selected and most impressive. Rev. Dr. Ogilby intoned the opening sentences:— The Lord ix in His holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before Him, * * * 0' God, we have heard with our ears, und our fathers have declared unto us the noble works that Thou didst in their days and in the old time before them. Choir and people then took up the noble Psalm of Thanksgivin’ after victory, set forth among the prayers to be used at sea: — If the Lord hot been on our side, now may we say, if the Lord bimvelf had aot been on our side when men Tose up against us, They had swallowed us up quick, when they were so wrathiully displeas-d at us, Ae. Aftorwards followed the beatitudes from “The Sermon jon the Mount,” read with solemn distinctness by the | Rov. Dr. Harcht. The paasage “ilessed aro the peace- | makers, for they «hall be called the children of God,” came in with peculiar appropriatences, The retnaining prayers w vod by Dr. Vinton; and bere, in tue Lord's P re red with a erscendo t, the Tull strength of the dey uimated the imineuse congregat nme of sound filed the ent re church, 1 like a nat on's prayer, the President and a general and ame Bove “# Te Dewm (in A). This position Was happily chosen for it wis given in the most etlieient ng notes of this magnificent song of Kev. Dr. Vinton entered the pulpit a short ercmp re address, He raid: —We elcome here today to unite in thie thankegiv 1 for His wondrous mercies towards antry, He lows, tee fnecitutions, ite od, We bless God that he has fited any one man arrive at such @ to call forth the idolatry of hero. k Him that we have as Chief | Magiates man of modesty, huunility We thank Him for the approach of |p he midst of all our thankfulneeawe ehould vt thow with whom we have been fighting hough tmigguited vy their leade ‘1 1 good will to men.’ Bevrts hen sung w ‘The ben Chyir and ce thy Gloria in Bree ing energy Pronounced by the Row. Dr, Dix and the ace pervert The Hatielajah Chorus wat played on the grand orgun as the congregation moved away, followed by the ‘ nationals alts on Organ and Chimes, “GRANT. Rumors of Peace Propositions from the Enemy’s Lines, General Grant to Visit City Point on the 10th Inst. Railroad Communication Opened to Not- toway Court House. CITY POINT STILL THE BASE OF OUR ARMIES, Our Troops Jubilant Over Their Late Successes.- Additional Particulars of the Opera- tions of the 7th Inst., &e., &e., &e. T. Bulkley’s Despatch. Heanquarrers, Axwy oF THR Potomac, Deatoxsvitts, April 7, 1865, THR OPERATIONS OF THE TH, The capture of so large a portion of General Leo's army, including eight of his best generals, will about | close out the army in this State: The evidence of the | strait the enemy were in has been accumulating during the whole march, Every mile abandoned wagons, artil- lery and ammunitions have strewn the road. Yestarday no less than eight hundred were captured and destroyed, General Sheridan has made the largest part of the eap- tures, but the infantry lave done this part of the bust- ness, and are entitled to an equal share of the credit. It is expected to-day to get the balance of the army. OUR CASUSEIMS IN THE PURSUIT. Our loss in killed and wounded has not been large, General Mott was wounded in tho leg, below the knee, He is doing well, and will not lose his leg. Colonel Hugh H, Janeway, of the First New Jersey cavalry, was killed while leading a charge. Captain W. 8. Thomas, of the First Pennsylvania cav- alry, captured four battle flags, had four horses shot und’r him, and finally lost a leg. General Lee is retreating towards Lynchburg, om the main road, through Deatousville, Farmville, &¢. ‘THE RENRLS SURPSED AT OUR MOVEMENTS. The rebels seemed greatly surpriged at the rapidity of our pursuit, General Grant, in speaking of our success yesterday, said “that General Sherman told him that he was coming up to help him to take Richmond,” but, says he, ‘we will capture Lve’s army, march down and gob- ble up Johnston, and shake bands with Sherman over the Une.” 1.8 surprising how the rebels have gotten away as well as they have, as their animals are in @ shocking condition. Mr. 8. Cadwallader's Despatch. Arromartrex Covrr House, Apri! 9—8 P. M, Gencral Grant will leave for City Point to-morrow, ‘The railroad is now in running order to Nottoway Court House. The troops are in tho hirhest state of excitement over the surrender of Lee and his army, and the great suc- ceases in general that have attended their recent brilliant operations. Mr. Theodore €, Wilson’s Despatches. Cxry Powwt, April 9, 1666. PRAOR ROMORS. Rumor has it that Iast night the President received am Official communicasjon on the subject of peace. It is reported that the communication referred to came from without our lines, An order is still out restricting citizens from visiting Richmond. Nevertheless, ina few special cases, passew have been granted to citizens to go there. RESPECTING TRADERE. ‘Traders are not yet permitted to go to Richmond, A few of these, notwithstanding, have got into the city with their goods, They are of course selling. It remaina to be ecen whether the military will let them remain or not. ‘Traders generally do not think that Richmond fs the best place for them to go to make money. They prefer Petersburg, as that will be nearer the army and base of Supplies. The citizens of Richmond have not mech money to spend, and hence cannot patronize the traders very freely. ‘CITY POLNT. The buildings still. remain at City Point! where General Grant had bis headquarters. Even the Hera tents are up, and remain as they were before the Lieutenant General went away. There are none of General Grant's’ officers here this morning, Assistant Adjutant General Colonel Bowers has gone to the front, and is not expected back for some days. A few orderlies and some clerks are taking care of the desks weed and the houses occupied by the officers connected with headquarters of the armies of the United States, ‘THR WOUNDED. The best of care is being afforded the wounded. These ‘will be gent North as speedily as possible, CITY POUT STILL THE BASE ‘This place is still the base of supplies for tho armies in the eld. Richmond is considered onty » post RAILROAD COMMUNICATION, Passengers can now go direct from City Point to Peters- burg by rail, There is no regular time table for running between these two points. Trains leave loaded with stores whenever they are so ordered, and passenger cars fre attached to the trains that leave immediately after the arrival of the Washington mail boate, The mails from the North are sent out regularly every day. Yesterday the Southside Railroad was in running order {rom Petersburg ¢# far out as Ford’s station. In several days this railroad will be opened to Burkesville. ‘The Southside Railroad lino gauge is five feet, Ours and the rolling stock we have here is adapted to four feet eight inches and a half, Hence we have to alter the former to correspond with tho latter, ‘The army is being well supplied. There willbe direct railroad communication from City Point to where the army is in less than a week from date, TRAVELING PACILITIRG, The following notice will no doubt prove of interest to the public :— Until farther orders there will be a remi-daily line of sieamers Btiween Ki hmond and City Point, leaving Richmond at ax o'clock A. M. and two o'clock " City Point at eight o'clock A. M. and three o'clock P.M. All persons ink ng pastage on the eame must provide themselves with permits from the Provost Marshal, and, uniees travelling under orders, will provide themselves With Cransportat on tickets Fare, ea h way, one dollar GEORGE W. BRADLEY, Colonel and Chief Quartermaster, City Point depot, April 8, 1866. ‘Tho Wileon Small and Metamora are the passenger steamers plying between City Point and Richmond, Steamers cannot run up and down the river between these points at night, It is only with erent care that steamers can be got through dering the day, Alinort every day one of more vees Is are injured by reason of the obstructions. ‘c ’ wht, A. @ M., has charge of the trane- i Captain J. ©, portatou at Ri THR MOND PORT OFFICE, The general Post Orie has vot yet been opened ag Richmond Mr. D. B. Parker, epecial agent of the Post Oitce Department a place He expeete to be relieved by a pe at onee appointed nt Washington, Mr. Parker has already sont two aeeivtants to Kehmond—Meesrs LT. Clawson and Win, H. Hoth, For two or throe day mails have am Washingt Richmond, via City Point, ere sta lone . ix not yet opened im Petersburg. It goon will be, thougl FOR TTR ARMY, » been ordered to Rurkesvil tday and today, The seve + 1 yosteragy afternoon In the Po Ly Polat there was sold $62,000 worth of stamp mith of March alone, [none week of the sams month the gale of stamos amoveted 617,097, \ j