“Resolved, That the confidence and admiration which his eminent achievements deserved and received were strengthened by the noble example of his constancy in adversity, and that we honored and revered him in his retirement as we trusted and followed him on the field of battle.

“Resolved, That, as a token of respect and sorrow, we will wear the customary badge of mourning for thirty days.

“Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions and of the proceedings of this meeting be transmitted to the family of our lamented chief.”

On the 29th of October a meeting was held to appoint delegates to represent the State of Maryland at the Richmond Lee Monumental Convention.  After some brief remarks by General I.R.  Trimble, and the adoption of resolutions constituting the Lee Monument Association of Maryland, the Hon. Reverdy Johnson addressed the meeting as follows: 

HON.  REVERDY JOHNSON.

“Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen:  I am here in compliance with the request of many gentlemen present, and I not only willingly complied with that request, but I am willing to do all I am able, to show my appreciation of the character, civil and military, of Robert E. Lee.  It was my good fortune to know him before the Mexican War, in those better days before the commencement of the sad struggle through which we have recently passed.  I saw in him every thing that could command the respect and admiration of men, and I watched with peculiar interest his course in the Mexican War.  It was also my good fortune to know the late Lieutenant-General Scott.  In the commencement of the struggle to which I have alluded, I occupied in Washington the position of quasi military adviser to him, and was, in that capacity, intimately associated with him.  I have heard him often declare that the glorious and continued success which crowned our arms in the war with Mexico was owing, in a large measure, to the skill, valor, and undaunted courage of Robert E. Lee.  He entertained for him the warmest personal friendship, and it was his purpose to recommend him as his successor in the event of his death or inability to perform the duties of his high position.  In April, 1861, after the commencement of hostilities between the two great sections of our country, General Lee, then lieutenant-colonel of cavalry in the Army of the United States, offered his resignation.  I was with General Scott when he was handed the letter of resignation, and I saw what pain the fact caused him.  While he regretted the step his most valuable officer had taken, he never failed to say emphatically, and over and over again, that he believed he had taken it from an imperative sense of duty.  He was also consoled by the belief that if he was placed at the head of the armies of the then Confederation, he would have in him a foeman in every way worthy of him, and one who would conduct the war upon the highest principles of civilized warfare, and that he would not suffer encroachments to be made upon the rights of private property and the rights of unoffending citizens.