Lexington 16 Sept 1867
My dear brother Carter
I reached here today having been detained in the mountains three weeks by sickness. But for my indisposition I should have written to you before, to say that if George desires to return to Washington College, & is satisfied with the plain accommodation we can provide him, I shall be happy if he will come back to us. It will give me pleasure to make arrangements for his tuition fees &c., procure him a room in College & give him a seat at our table as before. If you think Henry is prepared to commence a College course & you will send him, I will arrange for him in the same manner. I hope if the boys do come, that they will study hard, & try to get an education which will advance them in the world, otherwise their time will be thrown away & they will have lost rather than gained by their efforts.
I write in much haste. We are tolerably well & I am improving slowly. I saw Miss Betty at the Alums.[1] She thought her brother George not much better. Little Catherine had improved & was very sweet. John was with them. All send love & I am aff’t & truly
Your brother
R E Lee
C.C. Lee, Esq.
Source: The Archives of the Robert E. Lee Memorial Foundation, Papers of the Lee Family, Box 4, M2009.352, Jessie Ball duPont Library, Stratford Hall
Transcribed by Colin Woodward, 2015 September 25
