Lee Family Digital Archive

1821. Nov^r 11

Fr: Mayo to Lee (fr: original)

Richm^d Nov^r 11, 1821

Dear Sir,

            You percieve by the enclosed that the apprehensions communicated by Mr. Page in my last have been confirmed. I assure you that the warmest friend c^d not reject it more than I do; and c^d any endorsement have overcome the obstacle alleged, I w^d have given it with the utmost cheerfulness.

            Your last I have just rec^d. It indeed over whelms me with amazement to see that so much ungrounded & illiberal suspicion should be set in motion, when the contrary feeling might in some measure have been hoped for. Except that Miss M^cC does not manifest any evident repugnance, I sh^d not hesitate to relinquish the object as hopeless, an acc^t of such loyalty, but on her acc^t I do not know how to abandon the forlorn hope in which my feelings had already began to rely with some confidence.

            I hope the unfortunate disclosure will be no impediment to the future good understanding between Mrs. Lee & her sister. If it sh^d it will be a heavy weight of responsibility upon my conscience through life. I presume at least that she will never venture to touch again upon the same subject & perhaps the whole affair will here rest forever.

            If any thing sh^d transpire that may be worth communicating of course I shall be much gratified to hear it. For it is certainly probable the Mrs. Roses may after a while become sensible that they are doing Miss M^cC. a great injustice. Please to give my best respects to Mrs. Lee & esteem me ever

Yours most sincerely

Robert Mayo

P.S. I had just written Miss M^cC. at considerable length & was about to drop it in the P.O. when yours was handed to me; after which I feel myself under greater restraint, & my own dignity put to the test.

Source: The Archives of the Robert E. Lee Memorial Foundation, Papers of the Lee Family, Box 7, M2009.147

Transcribed by Caitlin Connelly, 2016 June 22