New York Hotel
March 12. 1861

His Excellency
Govnr. Jno Letcher
Richmond Va.

Dear Sir:
I received yesterday a letter from Major Gilliam of the Va. Mil. Institute dated the 9th inst. in reference to the position of Chief of Ordinance of the State, in which he informs me that you had requested him "to ask me if I would resign from the service, and if so whether that post would be acceptable to me." As he requested me to make my reply to you direct, I have the honor to state, after expressing my most sincere thanks for your very kind offer, that it is not my wish to leave the service of the United States as long as it is honorable for me to remain in it, and therefore as long as my native State Va. remains in the Union it is my purpose to remain in the Army, unless required to perform duties alike repulsive to honor and humanity.

I am sir
Very Respectfully
Yr. obt svt.
Geo. H. Thomas
Maj U.S. Army

I certify that the above is an accurate copy (even of punctuation) of the original letter from Major Geo. H. Thomas now in the Archives of the State of Virginia in the Capital at Richmond.