A.
The result of the last week must convince you of the hopelessness of further resistance on the part of the Army of Northern Virginia in this struggle.

I feel that it is so, and regard it as my duty to shift from myself the responsibility of any further effusion of blood, by asking of you the surrender of that portion of the Confederate States army known as the Army of Northern Virginia.
U.S.GRANT, Lieut.-General.
Lee replied on the evening of the same day as follows: April 7, 1865.
GENERAL: I have received your note of this day.

Though not entertaining the opinion you express on the hopelessness of further resistance on the part of the Army of Northern Virginia, I reciprocate your desire to avoid useless effusion of blood, and therefore before considering your proposition, ask the terms you will offer on condition of its surrender.
R.E.LEE, General.
LIEUT.-GENERAL U.S.GRANT, Commanding Armies of the U.S.
This was not satisfactory, but I regarded it as deserving another letter and wrote him as follows: April 8, 1865.
GENERAL R.E.LEE, Commanding C.S.

A.
Your note of last evening in reply to mine of same date, asking the condition on which I will accept the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia is just received.

In reply I would say that, peace being my great desire, there is but one condition I would insist upon, namely: that the men and officers surrendered shall be disqualified for taking up arms again against the Government of the United States until properly exchanged.