Davis, Jefferson (1808-1889) to Gov. John Letcher re: asking Virginia to join CSA and sending Stephens
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02285 Author/Creator: Davis, Jefferson (1808-1889) Place Written: Montgomery Type: Letter signed Date: 1861/04/19 Pagination: 1 p. 34 x 21 cm Order a Copy
Signed as President of the Confederacy. Also sending Confederate Vice President Alexander Stephens to negotiate alliance.
To His Excellency
John Letcher
Governor of the State of Virginia
&c. &c. &c.
Sir
In response to your communication conveying to me on behalf of the State of Virginia the expression of the earnest desire of that Commonwealth to enter into an alliance offensive and defensive with the Confederate States and being animated by a sincere wish to unite and bind together our respective countries by friendly ties, I have appointed Alexander H. Stephens Vice President of the Confederate States as special commissioner of the Confederate States to the Government of Virginia; and I have now the honor to introduce him to you, and to ask for him a reception and treatment corresponding to his station, and to the purposes for which he is sent. Those purposes he will more particularly explain to you.
Hoping that through his agency these may be accomplished I avail myself of this occasion to offer to you the assurance of my distinguished consideration.
Jefferson Davis
Montgomery
April 19. 1861
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