rve as slaves. The best course to pursue,
it seems to me, is to call for such as are willing to come
with the consent of their owners. Impressment or draft would
not be likely to bring out the best class, and the use of
coercion would make the measure distasteful to them and to
their owners. I have no doubt if Congress would authorize
their reception into service, and empower the President to
call upon individuals or States for such as they are willing
to contribute with the condition of emancipation to all
enrolled, a sufficient number would be forthcoming to enable
us to try the experiment.

"If it proves successful, most of the objections to the
matter would disappear, and if individuals still remained
unwilling to send their negroes to the army, the force of
public opinion in the States would soon bring about such
legislation as would remove all obstacles. I think the
matter should be left as far as possible to the people and
the States, which alone can legislate as the necessities of
this particular service may require. As to the mode of
organizing them, it should be left as free from restraint as
possible. Experience will suggest the best course, and would
be inexpedient to trammel the subject with provisions that
might in the end prevent the adoption of reforms, suggested
by actual trial.

"With great respect,

"ROBERT E. LEE, _General._"

Meanwhile the measure, to forward which this letter was written, was
progressing very slowly. J. B. Jones, clerk of the War Department of the
Confederate Government, entered in his diary from day to day such scraps
of information as he was able to glean about the progress of this
important matter. These entries are significant of the anxiety of this
critical time. Under February 14th we find this entry:

"Yesterday some progress was made with the measure of
200,000 negroes for the army. Something must be done and
soon."

"February 16th.--Did nothing yesterday; it is supposed,
however, that the bill recruiting negro troops will pass. I
fear when it is too late."

"February 17th.--A letter from General Lee to General Wise
is published, thanking the latter's brigade for resolutions
recently adopted declaring that they would consent to
gradual emancipation for the sake of indep