Lexington 5th February 1866
My dear sir
I respect & appreciate the motives that induced you to write to me so fully on the subject of your projected work. The “Recollections” are nearly all that are left to me from a home once abounding in relics of the Father of our Country. You may well suppose I am unwilling to part with them. Indeed I propose issuing a new Edition of my Book as soon as possible & do not now possess a copy of the first one. I regret that you should have been at so much trouble to collect anecdotes not available. Yet the teachings & spirit of Him to whom they pertain are now so entirely unheeded by the Public little regarded that they would scarcely have added interest to your Book Publication.
Wishing you all success in your undertaking
I remain most truly & respectfully yrs
M C Lee
copy of a letter in reply
to Revd Richard M. Devens1
1. Richard Miller Devens (1824-1900) was a northern editor. He was born in Massachusetts on 1824 September 21. He died in Massachusetts on 1900 March 5. He is buried in Massachusetts.
Source: Photocopy of original letter, Lee Family Papers, Mss1 L51 c, Section 31, Virginia Historical Society, Richmond
Transcribed by Colin Woodward, 2019 February 28
