John S. Preston to James A. Seddon, October 18, 1864

Hon. JAMES A. SEDDON, Secretary of War:

Sir: I have the honor to inclose you a copy of a note I have this day addressed to His Excellency the President.+ It is proper for me to state the views of the President, as related in that note, were not expressed by my seeking, but were given incidentally at an interview sought by me for conference on other matters. It is also proper to state that I

*Not found as inclosures and not otherwise identified. +See next, ante. 47 R R—SERIES IV, VOL III was aware of these views of the President when General Orders, No. 73, were issued, but on my return to Richmond after an absence of ten days, just subsequent to the issuing of those orders, I found a different construction placed upon them. Supposing I might be in error, I have cautiously refrained from any reference to the matter until the President himself should mention it. He having this day expressed these purposes in the presence of General Cooper, summoned specially to hear them, I feel myself at liberty to make the recommendation contained in my note.

I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,