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The State of Virginia has initiated the noble undertaking of erecting an equestrian statue of General Robert E. Lee on the Capitol grounds at Richmond, Va.; and has committed this trust, by statute, to the care and keeping of a Board of Managers. This Board, constituting the Lee Monument Association, is composed of her Governor, Auditor of Public Accounts, and Treasurer, whose names guarantee that this trust will be well discharged.

In deference to the fact that the glory of General Lee is the common heritage of our country, the Board has signified the desire that all the Southern States shall share in the tribute to him, and purpose that all so sharing shall, when the time comes, have an equal voice in awarding the contract.

We, your Senators and Representatives in the Congress of the United States, being assured that you will not be slow to manifest, by an earnest and liberal support, your veneration for the life, character and services of our great chief, express hereby our warm sympathy and co-operation in the effort of the Lee Monument Association to consummate this work of love:

John T. Morgan, Wm. H. Forney, C. M. Shelley, H. H. Herbert, Wm. W. Garth, J. N. Williams, R. F. Ligon, Jas. Taylor Jones, G. W. Hewitt, of Alabama; A. H. Garland, L. C. Gause, Jordan E. Cravens, T. M. Gunter, W. F. Slemons, of Arkansas; Charles W. Jones, R. H. M. Davidson, of Florida; J. B. Gordon, Benj. H. Hill, Alexander H. Stephens, Julian Hartridge, W. H. Felton, James H. Blount, Philip Cook, H. P. Bell, H. R. Harris, M. A. Candler, W. E. Smith, of Georgia; J. Proctor Knott, Albert S. Willis, J. E. S. Blackburn, Thomas Turner, J. G. Carlisle, John W. Caldwell, A. R. Boone, J. A. McKenzie, M. J. Durham, J. B. Clarke, of Kentucky; J. B. Eustis, E. John Ellis, E. W. Robertson, J. B. Elam, R. L. Gibson, of Louisiana; L. Q. C. Lamar, O. R. Singleton, Van H. Manning, James R. Chalmers, H. D. Money, H. L. Muldrow, Charles E. Hooker, of Mississippi; F. M. Cockrell, D. M. Armstrong, T. T. Crittenden, A. H. Buckner, Benj. J.