elves in slavery. This opened up a subject into which those who
discussed it were afraid to look; nevertheless it seemed unavoidable
that a black conscription should be attempted, and with that in view,
every precaution was taken by those who supported the scheme to avoid
heightening the dissensions already too prevalent for good. The
newspapers were advised of the intended change of policy, to which not a
few of them acquiesced. General Lee was consulted, as the following
letter, afterward printed in the Philadelphia _Times_, shows:

"HEADQUARTERS ARMY NORTHERN VIRGINIA,

"January 11th, 1865.

"HON. ANDREW HUNTER: I have received your letter of the 7th
instant, and, without confining myself to the order of your
interrogatories, will endeavor to answer them by a
statement of my views on the subject.

"I shall be most happy if I can contribute to the solution
of a question in which I feel an interest commensurate with
my desire for the welfare and happiness of our people.

"Considering the relation of master and slave controlled by
human laws, and influenced by Christianity and an
enlightened public sentiment, as the best that can exist
between the white and black races, while intermingled as at
present in this country, I would deprecate any sudden
disturbance of that relation, unless it be necessary to
avert a greater calamity to both. I should, therefore,
prefer to rely on our white population to preserve the ratio
between our forces and that of the enemy, which experience
has shown to be safe. But in view of the preparations of our
enemies it is our duty to prepare for continued war and not
for a battle or a campaign, and I own I fear we can not
accomplish this without overtaxing the capacity of our white
population.

"Should the war continue under existing circumstances the
enemy may in course of time penetrate our country, and get
access to a large part of our slave population. It is his
avowed policy to convert the able-bodied men among them into
soldiers, and emancipate all. The success of the federal
arms in the south was followed by a proclamation from
President Lincoln for two hundred and eighty thousand men,
the effect of which will be to stimulate the northern states
to procure as substit