ALS signed “R. E. Lee,” one lightly lined page both sides, 7.5 x 9.5, September 7, 1869. Lee writes to “Fitz” [his nephew, General Fitzhugh Lee]. In part: “I rec’d today your letter of the 5th Inst. containing your check for $30 , being my share of rent of Station from Jany. to July 1869. Your purpose of visiting the Station with a view of purchasing the house owned by Mr. John Daingerfield corresponds with your father’s intention as expressed to me the last time I saw him at Richland. Should it meet with your Mother’s approval & the house be attainable at fair terms I think it would be advantageous. I am glad to hear that the final resting place of your dear father’s remains has been determined & I feel assured that your choice will meet with the approbation of his family. It would be a melancholy pleasure to me to be present at their final disposition, but beyond that I do not see that I would be of any service. I have just collected my family after their summer vacation & am making preparations for the resumption of the College exercises which take place on the 16th Inst. the time you have appointed for the interment & when it is necessary for me to be present I do not see at present how I can attend. You and your brothers must do all that is necessary & proper. I am very glad that your Mother’s means will be sufficient for her comfort & ease. She is too sensible to desire more & I am greatly pleased my dear Nephew that you are possessed of so good & profitable a form. With your industry & energy I am sure that you will make it a happy home for yourself, mother & brothers as long as it may be advantageous & operable for you to firm our family. I returned from the W[hite] Sulphur on the 30 Aug. & after replacing our servants & opening the house, went down to the Rockbridge Baths for your Aunt & brought them all up yesterday.... There will always be room for your Mother tell her & you boys whenever you will come....” Commodore Sydney Smith Lee, who had served as a captain under Matthew Perry during the American expedition to Japan in the early 1850s, died on July 22, 1869. Fitzhugh Lee, his son and the recipient of the letter (1835–1905), served in the Civil War (during which he led the final Confederate charge), was Governor of Virginia from 1896–1890, and occupied a number of diplomatic and military posts during the Spanish-American War. The “college exercises” Robert E. Lee refers to relate to his position as president of Washington College (now Washington and Lee University), which he held from 1865 until his death in 1870. In very good condition, with intersecting mailing folds (away from signature), mild toning and staining, and faint show-through of ink. The writing is clear and distinct throughout. Auction LOA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
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