Richmond 11 June ‘61
I have just recd your letter of the 6th from Chantilly. I very much regret that my letters do not reach you. I know not what becomes of them. In a letter directed to Kinloch a few days since, I informed you of having written by Mr. F. S. Smith after my return from Manassas, which I hope has reached you. The letter Contained $100, that I thought might be useful. My previous letters were directed to Burkes Station & though written after the regular passage of the cars to that point, I thought would be forwd to that place from Manassas. I wrote to Cousin Anna, Mary, & yourself. The letters may have gone on to Alexa in which case you will never get them. One contained a letter to you from little Helen, giving an account of her return home. I enclosed in my last letter from Mrs. Cook. Both came to me from Louisville. You must be careful what you write to them now. All letters are opened. I am sorry to learn that you are So anxious & uneasy about passing events. We cannot change or hinder them, & it is not the part of wisdom to be annoyed by them. In this time of great Suffering to the state & Country, our private distresses we must bear with resignation like christians & not aggrevate them by repining, trusting to a kind & merciful God to overrule them for our good. I hope you may Secure a safe & quiet retreat & make yourself Contented with our lot, which I feel as well as yourself, & which with my other anxieties press heavily upon me. You must all endeavor to take care of yourselves, do what is needful & necessary & not care whether it is agreeable. I told you of my visit to the W. H. Our young people, as is natural I suppose, seem to look to what is agreable & I fear they will meet with disappt. Agnes is still here. Thinks of going to the W. H. tomorrow. She is going in the wrong direction & all of them ought to be away from there now. But procrastination & delay is the order of the day & may occasin [sic] the interruption of routes of travel & cut them off from where they wish to go. Events are not going to await our Convenience.
I am glad to hear that some protection is afforded dear Arlington.
Robert arrived yesterday from the university to know what he is to do. He has had chills & fevers & looks badly poor fellow. He goes back tomorrow to remain till the 4 July, when the term ends. He will then either remain there & go through a Course of Mil: instruction, or go to Lexington for the same purpose. Mil course of instruction has been introduced at the U. but I think it probable it may be better conducted at Lex. Express my great gratitude to Edwd1 for his kindness to you. I hope he Can secure you in some quiet farmhouse, away from danger & anxiety, where your prayers may be offered for our distracted Country. Hopewell is a retired spot. Give much love to Daughter. Mrs. Cooper & her party go to Abbeville in S. C. & they wish Nannie to accompy them. She invites you also. Mrs Rhett is there. Charlotte talks of N. C. & wants Annie to go with her. Write me of your plans. If Billy is useful to you keep him. It is probably too late to get him to Custis. I can take Meredith2 from the W. H. after C. leaves if wanted. I would rather you should have Billy if useful. I pray God to give you health & safety.
Faithfully
R E Lee
Source: Photocopy of original letter, Lee Family Papers, Mss1 L51 c 298, Virginia Historical Society, Richmond
Transcribed by Colin Woodward, 2018 March 13
1. Edward Turner, the owner of Kinloch in Fauquier County, Virginia.
2. Billy and Meredith were servants.
