25th June 1865
I cannot leave Richmond, my dear Mrs. Haxall[1] without expressing my deep appreciation of your many kindnesses since I first knew you here, & my regret that I cannot tell you so in person. I have nothing to leave you by way of memento save the little bunch of sweets I send you which you must lay among your handkerchiefs. I trust we shall meet yet in brighter times when our poor unhappy south may have a name & a place in the world now she seems well nigh annihilated, yet God can raise her from the dust. To Him alone can we look for aid & succor. I hear you are going abroad which I hope may restore your health.
Lou must come & see me before I leave.
My kind regards to Mr. Haxall & believe me
Yrs affectionately,
M C Lee
Source: The Archives of the Robert E. Lee Memorial Foundation, Papers of the Lee Family, Box 4, M2009.336, Jessie Ball duPont Library, Stratford Hall
Transcribed by Colin Woodward, 2015 November 25
[1] Possibly the recipient is Octavia Robinson Haxall (1814-1892), wife of Richard Barton Haxall of Richmond and Orange County, Virginia. These Haxalls were the parents of Robert E. Lee, Jr.’s first wife, Charlotte Taylor Haxall (1848-1872).
