Lexington, Va.,
19 Nov., 1873
My Dear Captain:
A letter just received from my sister Mary from Torquay, under date of 3 Nov., 1873, states that she might sail for this country on the 29th inst. If so, this note will hardly reach England before her departure; which is the reason why I again trouble you about her affairs. When she wrote, she had not, of course, heard of our mother’s death; which may cause her to modify her plans in some respect.
Should my sister still be in Europe when this reaches you, and should she be in want of funds to bring her home, or meet other immediate necessities, can you not manage to supply her with what she may need, and draw on me at sight for the amount advanced. I would send her some money, although I do not judge from her recent letters that she is in need of any, but for the uncertainty of her movements, and the probability of her leaving before it could reach her.
Should Mary conclude to remain abroad until the Spring, please ask her to inform me definitely of her plans, and of her wants; and I will do my best to supply the latter.
With our love to Annie, whom I hope you find improved by her visit to Virginia, the children, and Yourself, I remain, very truly,
Yr. friend & Comrade
G.W.C. Lee
Capt. C. J. Leigh
Leamington, England
Source: Checked against original letter, Mary Custis Lee Papers, Mss1 L5144 a, Section 62, Virginia Historical Society, Richmond
Transcribed by Colin Woodward, 2019 January 7
