• The Lees of Virginia
  • The Lees of Virginia
  • The Lees of Virginia
  • The Lees of Virginia

The Lee Family Digital Archive is the largest online source for primary source materials concerning the Lee family of Virginia. It contains published and unpublished items, some well known to historians, others that are rare or have never before been put online. We are always looking for new letters, diaries, and books to add to our website. Do you have a rare item that you would like to donate or share with us? If so, please contact our editor, Colin Woodward, at  (804) 493-1940, about how you can contribute to this historic project.


 

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Robert E. Lee to Richard Henry Lee, 1866 November 29

Lexington, Va., 29 Nov 1866

 

Mr Richard Henry Lee

Hopkinsville, Ky

My Dear Sir:

 

Appreciating the full force of the compliment offered me in your letter of the 20th inst., I must yet say that the remark of Washington Irving which you have quoted, correctly expresses my feelings on the subject. I can also add with truth, that I feel that I have no claim to such oblation, and have a general disinclination to be brought before the public without good and sufficient reason.

Having stated my preference, I will leave you to follow your own in this matter, which, if the verses are of the character you describe, resolves itself into a matter of taste.

Thanking you for your remembrance, and wishing you every success and happiness. I am very respectfully, yr. obdt Svt.

R E Lee

 

 

 

Source: Lee Family Papers, Mss1 L 51 c 738, p. 1, Section 43, Virginia Historical Society, Richmond

Transcribed by Colin Woodward, 2018 January 10     

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