Lexington, Va; 26 Decr 1867
My dear Sir:
I have recd your letter of the 16 Inst; and as far as your plan for the establishment of a normal school is developed in the papers which accompanied it, it seems to bid fair to promote the good of the Country, and to advance the interests of Southern education.
Should you therefore think that my name on your list of references, or among the Trustees of the School, would aid in its accomplishment, you are at liberty to insert it.
I must however reserve the privilege when your scheme is matured & put into operation should I find that I could not be useful, or that my present duties would prevent my attention to those which may devolve upon me, to resign my position.
Wishing you my success,
I am very resply
Your obt servt,
R E Lee
Mr. William D. Cabell
Source: The Archives of the Robert E. Lee Memorial Foundation, Papers of the Lee Family, Box 4, M2009.353, Jessie Ball duPont Library, Stratford Hall
Transcribed by Colin Woodward, 2015 September 24
