His Excellency, Austin Blair.
P. S. Some of the manufacturing states think that a fight would be
awful. Without a little blood-letting this Union will not, in my
estimation, be worth a rush."[363]
The fact that the deliberations of the Peace Conference proved
unavailing to arrest the movement towards disunion and civil war is no
indication that the motives which impelled the people of Virginia to
call their countrymen to council were not those of the highest
patriotism.
-----
Footnote 355:
_History of United States_, Rhodes, Vol. III, p. 290.
Footnote 356:
_Journal of Virginia House of Delegates_, Extra Session, 1861,
Document No. 1.
Footnote 357:
These resolutions were adopted in the House of Delegates by a vote of
one hundred and twelve ayes to five noes. See _Journal Virginia House
of Delegates_, Extra Session, 1861, p. 10. In the Senate only one vote
was recorded against their adoption.
Footnote 358:
_History of United States_, Rhodes, Vol. III, p. 307.
Footnote 359:
_Proceedings of Peace Convention_, Crittenden, p. 14.
Footnote 360:
_Proceedings of Peace Convention_, Crittenden, p. 135.
Footnote 361:
_Idem_, p. 15.
Footnote 362:
_Causes of Civil War_, Chadwick, p. 270.
Footnote 363:
_Proceedings of Peace Convention_, 1861, p. 468, Crittenden.