Lee Family Digital Archive

1821. Oct^r 16

Fr: Mayo to Lee (fr: original)

Richm^d Oct^r 16. 1821

Dear Sir,

            Your favor of the 9^th inst: is rec^d & the perusal of it affects me with peculiar interest. I assure you it w^d give me infinite pleasure to afford every facility in my power to raise the sum you require. Though I am not much acquainted with the ceremonials of negotiating a loan, yet I understand that there is a good deal of money in the Richm^d market which may be had at a moderate percent in secure paper at 2, 3, 4, or 6 months. I also understand authentically that three Banks here are very desirous of discounting largely. The farmers Bank particularly is the most liberal. But as the Banks only negotiate notes at 60 days, the frequent renewal of them may be an inconvenience. It w^d therefore perhaps be your better course to draw a note at 6 months in favor of Mr. Beverly, and enclose it with his endorsement to Carter B. Page of Richm^d. Mr. Page is the most respectable broker here & will procure the money for you at one or one & a half per cent if it can be had at all. If you think there w^d be any doubt of your own note being accommodated on account of prejudice (which I presume does not enter into the account of money lenders any more than it does into the breast of a liberal man) you might exchange notes with Mr. Beverly & enclose his with a suitable endorser to Mr. Page – lest you may not recollect the form required by the Bank (which w^d also be more satisfactory to private lenders) I enclose you a blank or two.

            I have written to Mr. Stevenson according to your request to forward Mr. Leigh a copy of your declaration.

            I shall endeavor to be patient as you recommend; but you may aid my fortitude in that respect, by giving me what information you may learn from time to time, touching the same. I am delighted to hear of Mrs. Lee’s good health, & increasing cheerfulness. It w^d be superfluous for me to add that I w^d consider myself the happiest man in the world c^d I be so fortunate as to interchange a favorable impression with Miss M^cC. & so win upon her esteem as to substitute all causes of regret with some grains of consolation: and I assure you with the most sincere heart, that whatever participation yourself & Mrs. Lee c^d take in a result that I so earnestly hope for, will greatly increase the happiness I w^d derive from it.

Yrs. Sincerely

R. Mayo

Source: The Archives of the Robert E. Lee Memorial Foundation, Papers of the Lee Family, Box 7, M2009.141

Transcribed by Caitlin Connelly, 2016 June 17