"During the afternoon [of July 1st], Longstreet had joined Lee on Seminary Ridge overlooking the town, and had noted the position being taken by the enemy. He had said to Lee: 'We could not call the enemy to a position better suited to our plans. We have only to file around his left and secure good ground between him and his capital.'
"To his surprise, Lee had answered, 'If he is there tomorrow, I shall attack him.'
Longstreet replied, 'If he is there tomorrow, it will be because he wants you to attack him.'"
Source: Military Memoirs of a Confederate
Commentary
From the moment Longstreet first viewed the field at Gettysburg, he had objected to fighting a battle there. Appreciating the successes of the first day's battle, he felt it provided a perfect opportunity to delay the Federals while the ANV moved around the Federal left to place itself in a position between the AoP and Washington, in accordance with the general strategy that had been agreed upon before leaving Virginia.
Longstreet's thoughts on the matter were wisely considered. Just days before, when Lee and Longstreet first discovered that the Federals had pursued and entered Maryland without their knowledge, the campaign's success had been threatened. But now, there was a perfect opportunity, suited to the strengths of Lee and his army.
Alexander describes Lee's and Longstreet's first meeting at Gettysburg near the end of the first day. During this brief exchange, the course of the next two days was set, and almost everything could be predicted from the divergent words of the two men.