Goes to Warm Springs for rheumatism--Her daughter Mildred takes typhoid
there--Removes to Hot Springs--Her husband’s devotion--Visit of Fitzhugh
and bride to Lexington--Miss Jones, a would-be benefactor of Washington
College--Fate of Washington relics belonging to Mrs. Lee’s family
That summer my father determined to take my mother to the Warm Springs,
in Bath County, Virginia, hoping that the baths there might be of
service to her, and purposing, if she was not benefited, to go to
the Hot Springs, five miles distant. He was most anxious that his new
daughter should join her there and go with him to any place she might
select and come back with them to Lexington. In the following letter to
his son he tells of his plans for the summer:
“Lexington, Virginia, July 1, 1868.
“My Dear Fitzhugh: I received yesterday your letter of the 28th ultimo,
and regret very much to learn of Tabb’s indisposition. I hope that
she will soon be well, and I wish very much she would join us in the
mountains and return here with us. In my letter to her about the time
when she went to her sister’s wedding, which I hope she got, I told her
of my wishes on the subject, and believe gave her our general plans. I
can now say with more distinctness that, unless something now unforeseen
should prevent, I will take your mother to the Warm Sprints, from the
10th to the 15th inst., and after trying the water there about two
weeks, if not favourable, will take her over to the Hot. After seeing
her comfortably established, I will then go anywhere Tabb desires--to
the Healing or the White Sulphur or Sweet. I intend to go myself to the
White Sulphur for about a fortnight, to drink the water, and will take
Mildred with me. Agnes, having gone last summer, will not care to go, I
presume, and can remain with her mother. Mildred has been quite sick
for the past week, but is now much better, and in a week will be strong
enough for the journey, I think. If not, we shall have to delay our
departure a little. Agnes was also sick on the Eastern Shore of Maryland
about three weeks, and, I am told, looks badly. She is now at the
University of Virginia, and will be home in a few days and go with us
to the Springs. You must arrange your plans to suit your interests and
convenience, coming to us when you can and staying as long as you can.
You know the interest I take in your prosperity and advancement, which
cannot be assured without earnest attention to your business on your
part, and therefore I never urge you to act contrary to your own
judgement in reference to them. As to my daughter, Tabb, tell her if she
will trust herself to her papa she shall never want anything he can do
for her, and I think she will find the prediction in my letter to her
verified. She might join us at Goshen and go with us, or come here. Why
did she not come up with her father? I went to see him last evening, but
he was out. Your mother, I presume, has told you of home affairs. She
has become nervous of late, and broods over her troubles so much that
I fear it increases her sufferings. I am therefore the more anxious
to give her new scenes and new thoughts. It is the principal good I
anticipate. Love to Rob. Custis still talks of visiting you, but I have
not heard of his having fixed the day of his departure. He is quite
well. With my best love to my daughter T---- and the same to yourself, I
am,
“Most affectionately your father,
“R. E. Lee.”
The morning he left Lexington he, while waiting for the stage, writes as
follows to a great favourite of his, a friend of Mildred’s, who had been
on a visit to her that summer:
“Lexington, Virginia, July 14, 1868.
“...The stage is at the door to carry us to Goshen, and if Mrs. Lee’s
strength permits, we hope to reach the Warm Springs to-night. After
two or three week’s trial of its waters we shall go to the Hot, where,
leaving Agnes to take care of her mother, I shall take Mildred to the
White Sulphur, and hope to meet you at Covington and carry you along.
Will you not come?... Mildred is quite well again and is flying about
this morning with great activity. Agnes is following with slower steps,
Mrs. Lee is giving her last injunctions to Sam and Eliza. Letitia [my
mother’s maid] is looking on with wonder at the preparations, and trying
to get a right conception of the place to which she is going, which
she seems to think is something between a steel-trap and a spring-gun.
Custis is waiting to help his mother into the stage, and you see how
patient I am. To add interest to the scene, Dr. Barton has arrived to
bid adieu and to give Mildred an opportunity of looking her best. I
believe he is the last rose of summer. The others, with their fragrance
and thorns, have all departed....”
A few days after their arrival at the Warm Springs Mildred was taken ill
with typhoid fever, and during many anxious weeks my father and Agnes
were her only nurses. My mother’s room was on the first floor of the
“Brockenborough Cottage,” my sister’s in the second, so she could not
get upstairs to her room. Mildred was very fanciful--would not have no
one but my father to nurse her, and could not sleep unless she had his
hand in hers. Night after night he sat by her side, watching over her
and attending to every want with gentleness and patience. He writes to
the same young lady, at Mildred’s request:
“Warm Springs, Virginia, July 30, 1868.
“...She [Mildred] has been so anxious to write to you, and so uneasy at
her inability to do so, that I hope you will permit me to tell you the
reason. She has been quite sick and is so still--confined to her bed
with low fever, which retains its hold very pertinaciously. She took
cold a few days after our arrival, from some imprudence, and she is very
much enfeebled. She has been more comfortable the last day or two, and I
hope is better, but I presume he recovery will necessarily be slow. You
know she is very fanciful, and as she seems to be more accessible to
reason from me, I have come be her chief nurse and am now writing in her
room, while she is sleeping.... This is a beautiful valley, and we have
quite a pleasant company--Mr. and Mrs. Chapman and their three daughters
from Alabama; Mrs. Coleman and her two daughters from Baltimore;
some ladies from Richmond, Washington, Kentucky, Iowa, etc., and an
ever-changing scene of faces. As soon as Mildred is strong enough, we
will go to the Hot, after which, if she desires it, I will take her to
the White. Mrs. Lee and Agnes are improving slightly, I am glad to say.
We hear of many friends at the Hot, Healing, and White, and hope we
shall reach these respective waters before they depart.... The Harrisons
have written me that they will be here on the 14th proximo, but unless
Mildred’s recovery is much retarded it will be too late for me to see
them. The Caskies will be at the Hot about the same time.... I am,
“Your most sincerely,
“R. E. Lee.” On August 3d from the same place, he writes to my brother
Fitzhugh:
“...this was the day I had appointed to go to the Hot, but Mildred is
too sick to move. She was taken more than a fortnight since,...and her
attack seems to have partaken of a typhoid character. She has had since
a low and persistent fever, which retains its hold. She is very feeble,
but, in the doctor’s opinion, somewhat better. I myself see little
change, except that she is now free from pain. I cannot speak of our
future movements. I fear I shall have to abandon my visit to the White.
Your mother and Agnes are better than when they arrived. The former
bathes freely, eats generously, and sleeps sweetly. Agnes, though
feeble, is stronger. I am the same, and can see no effects of the waters
upon myself. Give much love to my sweet daughter and dear sons. All
unite with me in this message.... I am, as ever and always,
“Your father,
“R. E. Lee.”
Another letter to my brother, Fitzhugh, from the Warm Springs, tells
of his daughter’s convalescence. Smith’s Island, of which he writes,
belonged to my grandfather’s estate, of which my father was executor.
He was trying to make some disposition of it, so that it might yield a
revenue. It is situated on the Atlantic just east of Cape Charles, in
Northampton County, Virginia.
“Warm Springs, Virginia, August 14, 1868.
“My Dear Fitzhugh: I received, yesterday, your letter of the 9th, and,
as your mother informed you of Mildred’s condition, I deferred replying
to it until to-day. I am glad to inform you that she is better, and
that the doctor pronounces her convalescent this morning. He says her
progress must necessarily be slow, but with care and prudence he sees
nothing to prevent her recovery, unless something unforeseen occurs. I
hope, therefore, we may dismiss our anxiety. As regards Smith’s Island,
I should be very glad if you could go over and see it, and, if you
think proper, make such disposition of it as you and Robert think most
advantageous. See Mr. Hamilton S. Neale (Eastville, Northampton County,
Virginia) and consult with him on the subject and let me know your
determination. I think you will find him kind and intelligent. I have
visited the island twice in my life, a long while ago, and thought that,
if a person lived on it, he might, by grazing, planting and fishing,
make a comfortable living. You and Robert might, if you choose, buy the
island from the estate. I fear the timber, etc., has been cut from it.
I never thought it as valuable as your grandfather did. You will have
to go to Norfolk, take the steamer to Cherrystone, where, I suppose, you
can find a conveyance to Eastville. You know Cobb’s Island has been
a fashionable bathing-place. John Lewis wrote that the beach was
delightful and fare excellent, and that they had sail-vessels there
at the disposal of visitors. But Mr. Neale and Mr. John Simpkins, the
present agent, can put you in the way of visiting the island, and you
might carry my sweet daughter, Tabb, over and give her a surf bath. But
do not let the mosquitoes annoy her. Give her much love from me. I am
writing in Mildred’s room, who is very grateful for your interest in her
behalf. She is too weak to speak. I hope Rob had a pleasant trip. Tell
me Custis’s plans. I have not heard from him. Your mother and Agnes
unite in love to you, Rob, and Tabb. I have a fan in one hand, while
I wield a pen with the other, so excuse brevity. Most affectionately
yours, R. E. Lee.
“P.S.--George and Eleanor Goldsborough and Miss Mary G---- express
themselves as much pleased with Cobb’s Island. I do not know how far it
is east of Smith’s Island. R. E. Lee.”
His daughter being convalescent, he carried out his plan, and went over
to the White Sulphur Springs, after he had placed my mother and sisters
at the Hot Springs. In a letter from there, on August 28th, he writes:
“...The place looks beautiful--the belles very handsome, and the beaux
very happy. All are gay, and only I solitary. I am all alone. There
was a grand fancy masked ball last night. The room was overflowing, the
music good, as much spring in the boards as in the conversation, and the
german continued till two o’clock this morning. I return to the Hot next
week, and the following to Lexington. Mildred is much better, but says
she has forgotten how to write. I hope that she will be strong enough to
return with me.... I am, Truly and affectionately yours, R. E. Lee.”
They all returned to Lexington early in September, in time for the
opening of the college. Mildred was still weak and nervous, nor did
she recover her normal strength for several months. She was always my
father’s pet as a little girl, and during this illness and convalescence
he had been very tender with her, humoring as far as he could all of her
fancies. Not long before that Christmas, she enumerated, just in fun,
all the present she wished--a long list. To her great surprise, when
Christmas morning came she found each article at her place a the
breakfast-table--not one omitted.
His sympathy with all who were suffering, ill, and afflicted was warm
and sincere. Colonel Shipp, now superintendent of the Virginia
Military Institute, was the commandant of cadets when my father came to
Lexington. He tells me that the he was ill for some weeks, laid up in
his room, which was next to that of my brother Custis. He hardly knew
General Lee, and had spoken to him only a few times, but my father went
to see him quite often, would sit by him, talk to him, and seemed much
interested in his getting well. He said that he would consult Mrs. Lee
(“who is a great doctor”), and he finally brought a bottle of something
in which sudor-berries were the chief ingredient. Colonel Shipp found
out afterward that the sudor-berries had been sent from the White House,
and that my mother had concocted the medicine.
On one occasion, calling at Colonel Preston’s, he missed two little boys
in the family circle, who were great favourites of his, and on asking
for them he was told that they were confined to the nursery by croup.
The next day, though the weather was of the worst description, he went
trudging in great storm-boots back to their house, carrying in one hand
a basket of pecan nuts and in the other a toy, which he left for his
little sick friends.
To my mother, who was a great invalid from rheumatism for more than ten
years, he was the most faithful attendant and tender nurse. Every
want of hers that he could supply he anticipated. His considerate
fore-thought saved her from much pain and trouble. During the war he
constantly wrote to her, even when on the march and amidst the most
pressing duties. Every summer of their life in Lexington he arranged
that she should spend several months at one of the many medicinal
springs in the neighbouring mountains, as much that she might be
surrounded by new scenes and faces, as for the benefit of the waters.
Whenever he was in the room, the privilege of pushing her wheeled chair
into the dining-room and out on the verandas or elsewhere about the
house was yielded to him. He sat with her daily, entertaining her with
accounts of what was doing in the college, and the news of the village,
and would often read to her in the evening. For her his love and care
never ceased, his gentleness and patience never ended.
This tenderness for the sick and helpless was developed in him when
he was a mere lad. His mother was an invalid, and he was her constant
nurse. In her last illness he mixed every dose of medicine she took, and
was with her night and day. If he left the room, she kept her eyes on
the door till he returned. He never left her but for a short time. After
her death the health of their faithful servant, Nat, became very bad. My
father, then just graduated from West Point, took him to the South, had
the best medical advice, a comfortable room, and everything that could
be done to restore him, and attended to him himself.
I can find few family letters written by my father at this time. Those
which have been preserved are to my brother Fitzhugh, and are mostly
about Smith’s Island and the settling up of my grandfather’s estate. The
last of September he writes:
“Lexington, Virginia, September 28, 1868.
“My Dear Fitzhugh: Your report of the condition of Smith’s Island
corresponds with my own impressions, based upon my knowledge of the
island and the reports of others. I think it would be advantageous,
under present circumstances, to make sale of the island as soon as a
fair price can be obtained, and I have so instructed Mr. Hamilton S.
Neale, who has consented to act as my agent.... I should like this while
matter arranged as soon as possible, for my life is very uncertain, and
its settlement now may avoid future difficulties. I am very glad to hear
that you and Rob have continued well, and that my daughter is improving.
Give my love to them both. The loss of your fine cows is a serious one,
and I believe you will have to procure them in your vicinity and improve
them. Get some calves this fall of a good breed. We hope that we shall
see you this fall. Your mother is as comfortable as usual, and Mildred
is improving. Custis, Mary, and Agnes are well, and all would send love,
did they know I was writing.
“Very affectionately your father, R. E. Lee.”
This autumn he had a visit from his nephew, Edward Lee Childe. Edward
lived in Paris, and had crossed over in the summer to see my father and
mother. He made a very pleasant impression on everybody, and was much
pleased with his visit. Here is a letter written by my father to my
brother just after Edward left:
“Lexington, Virginia, October 14, 1868.
“My Dear Fitzhugh: I have returned to Mr. Hamilton S. Neale the
advertisement of the sale of Smith’s Island, with my approval, and have
requested him to advertise in the Northern and Richmond papers, etc.,
and to send out such other notices as he deems best calculated to
attract attention to the property, and to take every measure to enhance
the value of the island and to procure for your grandfather’s estate
the full benefit of the sale.... I have heard from Mr. Compton that my
daughter Tabb has returned to the White House in improved health, which
I am very glad of. I hope that you will soon be able to bring her up
to see us. Do not wait until the weather becomes too cold. Our mountain
atmosphere in winter is very harsh. So far, the weather has been
delightful. Your cousin Edward left us last Thursday evening on his way
to see you. We enjoyed his visit greatly. Agnes and I rode down to the
Baths last Saturday to see the Harrisons, and returned Sunday evening.
They were well, and somewhat benefited by their visit. Mr. George
Ritchie’s death no doubt threw a shade of sadness over the whole party
on Mrs. Harrison’s account, though all were charming and Miss Belle
very sweet. We are about the same--your poor mother comfortable, Mildred
improving. All would unite in love to you and yours, did they know I was
writing. Give much love to my dear daughter, Tabb, and tell her that I
want to see her very much.
“Truly and affectionately your father,
“General W. H. Fitzhugh Lee. R. E. Lee.”
In a few days, he writes again, still about Smith’s Island, but adds
much about the family and friends:
“Lexington, Virginia, October 19, 1868.
“My Dear Fitzhugh: I received your letter of the 12th the day I last
wrote to you. I am glad we agree that $---- should be the minimum limit
for the price of Smith’s Island. You will see by my letter referred to
that it has been so fixed. December 22d is the day proposed by Mr. Neale
as the time of public sale, which was approved by me, though I feared
the notice might be too short. Still there are good reasons for the
sale being made without unnecessary delay. I think November, which you
suggest, would not afford sufficient notice. I would recommend that you
and Robert attend the sale, and be governed by circumstances in what you
do. I would go myself, but it would be a long, hard journey for me at
that season of the year, and I do not see any material good that I can
do. Mr. Neale kindly offered to meet me at Cherrystone landing and take
me to his house, but I shall decline in your favour. I am sorry that
Edward did not get down to see you, for I wanted him to see my daughter,
Tabb. I am sure he has seen none like her in Paris. He left here with
the purpose of visiting you and his uncle Smith, and I do not know what
made him change his mind. I hope that you will get in a good crop of
wheat, and get it in well. The latter is very important and unless
accomplished may deprive you of the whole benefit of your labour and
expense. We shall look anxiously for your visit. Do not put it off too
late or the weather may be unfavourable. Our mountain country is not the
most pleasant in cold weather, but we will try and make you warm. Give
my love to Tabb, and tell her I am wanting to see her all the time. All
unite in love to her and you. Your mother is about the same, very busy,
and full of work. Mildred is steadily improving, and is able to ride on
horseback, which she is beginning to enjoy. Mary and Agnes very well. We
see but little of Custis. He has joined the mess at the institute,
which he finds very comfortable, so that he rarely comes to our table
to breakfast now. The rest of the time he seems to be occupied with
his classes and studies. Remember me to Rob. I hear of a great many
weddings, but his has not been announced yet. He must not forget his
house. I have not, and am going to take up the plan very soon. Mildred
says a good house is an effective card in the matrimonial game. She is
building a castle in the air. The Harrisons propose leaving the Baths
to-morrow. George arrived a week ago. I did not get down Saturday to
see them as I wished. I hope the health of the whole party has been
improved. I wish I could spend this month with you. That lower country
is delightful to me at this season, and I long to be on the water again,
but it cannot be. With much love,
“R. E. Lee.
“General Wm. H. Fitzhugh Lee.”
The last of October he went to Staunton on some business. He rode
Traveller, and Colonel Wm. Allan rode with him. It was the time of the
Augusta Agricultural Fair, and while there he visited the exhibition
and was received by the people with great demonstrations of delight. A
student standing by remarked dryly:
“I don’t see why the Staunton people make all this to do over General
Lee; why, in Lexington, he SENDS for me to come to see him!”
In a letter of November 2d he mentions this little journey:
“...I have recently paid a visit to Staunton and saw the young people
there. They seemed very happy in their fair, and the beaux with their
belles. I rode over on Traveller and was accompanied by Colonel Allan.
The former was delighted at the length of the road, and the latter
relieved from an obstinate cold from which he was suffering. On the
second morning, just as the knights were being marshalled to prove their
prowess and devotion, we commenced our journey back to Lexington, which
we reached before nine P. M., under the light of a beautiful moon.”
At this time his son Fitzhugh and his new daughter paid their
long-promised visit, which he enjoyed immensely. My mother and sisters were
charmed with her, and the entire community vied in paying her attention.
My father was proud of his daughter-in-law and much gratified at his
son’s marriage. He was delighted with the manner in which she adapted
herself to the ways of all her new relations, with her sweet attention
to my mother, and, above all, with her punctuality. She had been warned
beforehand by her husband that, to please his father, she must be always
ready for family prayers, which were read every morning by him just
before breakfast. This she succeeded in doing, never failing once to be
on time. As breakfast was at seven o’clock, it was no small feat for one
not accustomed to such early hours. She said afterward that she did
not believe that General Lee would have an entirely high opinion of any
person, even General Washington, if he could return to earth, if he
were not ready for prayers! After a delightful visit of three weeks my
brother and his wife returned home. Just as the latter was packing, my
father came into her room and filled all the space in the top of her
trunk with pecan nuts, which some friends had sent him from the South.
The hour fixed for the service in the college chapel was, as I have
said, a quarter to eight o’clock every morning except Sunday. In the
three winter months, December, January, and February, it was one hour
later. As the president never failed to attend, when not prevented by
sickness or absence, it was necessary to have an early breakfast.
After chapel he went to his office and was seated at his desk by eight
o’clock, where he remained, unless called out by public business, till
two P.M. This room was open to all in the college who had business with
him. The new students were required to report to him here in person, and
from their first interviews we obtained a knowledge of the young men
of which he availed himself in their future career in the college. As
president, he was always disposed to be lenient with students who were
reported for disorderly conduct or for failure in their studies or
duties. He would say to the faculty, when they seemed to think it
necessary to send a student home:
“Don’t you think it would be better to bear with him a little longer?
Perhaps we may do him some good.”
Being sent for to this office was anything but pleasant to the students.
Lewis, one of the janitors, went around with the names of those the
president wanted to see, written by his own hand on a long slip of
paper. He carried the paper in one hand, a pencil in the other, and
when he could find the one he wanted in a crowd of his comrades, he took
special pleasure in serving his notice, and would say in his solemn,
sepulchral voice:
“Mr. ----, the president wants to see you at the office.”
Then Mr. ---- took the pencil and made a cross-mark opposite his name,
which was evidence of his having received his summons. What transpired
at these interviews was seldom known, except as the student himself
might reveal it; for unless it became necessary to summon the delinquent
a second time, the president never alluded to the subject. An old
student writes me the following account of his experience in the
president’s office:
“I was a frolicsome chap at college, and, having been absent from class
an unreasonable number of times, was finally summoned to the General’s
office. Abject terror took possession of me in the presence of such wise
and quiet dignity; the reasons I had carefully prepared to give for my
absence stood on their heads, or toppled over. In reply to General Lee’s
grave but perfectly polite question, I stammered out a story about
a violent illness, and the conscious that I was at that moment the
picture of health, I hastened on with something about leaving my boots
at the cobbler’s, when General Lee interrupted me: ‘Stop, Mr. M----,’
he said; ‘stop, sir! ONE GOOD REASON IS ENOUGH.’ But I could not be
mistaken about the twinkle in the old hero’s eyes!”
Only a few cases required more than one summons to appear at the
office. No instance is known where a student complained of injustice or
harshness, and the effect on his mind was that of greater respect and
admiration for the president.
The new house was approaching completion, and my father was much
interested in the work, going there very often and discussing with the
workmen their methods. That Christmas I spent two weeks in Lexington,
and many times my father took me all over the new building, explaining
all the details of his plan. All of his family were here together this
Christmas except Fitzhugh and his wife, an occurrence rather rare of
late years. My father’s health was unusually good, and he was bright and
almost gay. He rode out often, taking me with him, as it was too cold
for the girls. He also took me around with him visiting, and in the mild
festivities of the neighbours he joined with evident pleasure. My visit
ended all too soon, and the first week of January I started back to the
“low country.” Soon after my departure, he forwarded a letter to me with
the accompanying one of his own:
“Lexington, Virginia, January 14, 1869.
“My Dear Rob: The accompanying letter was inclosed to me by Lawrence
Butler [The grandson of Nellie Custis, my grandfather’s sister, who
married Lawrence Lewis, the favourite nephew of Washington] with the
request that I would forward it, as he did not know your address, and
urge you to be present at his wedding. I do not know that I can say
more, except to inform you that he says he has the very girl for you if
you will come on. You must therefore decide the question according to
your best judgment. General Hoke, from North Carolina, has also sent you
his wedding-cards. We have missed you very much since your departure,
and wished you back. I hope you got home comfortably and found all well.
Drive all your work with judgment and energy, and when you have decided
about the house, let me know. Tell Fitzhugh I have signed the insurance
policy and sent it to Mr. Wickham for his signature, with the request
that he forward it to Grubb & Williams. The weather still continues
pleasant, and I fear we shall suffer for it by the late spring. There
has so far been a great lack of snow, and consequently the wheat is
exposed to the great changes of temperature. We are all as you left us.
Custis, I think, looks better. No news. Mail heavy this morning. Love to
F---- and T----. With great affection,
“Your father,
“R. E. Lee.
“R. E. Lee, Jr.”
Some one wrote to General Lee suggesting that General Grant, then
president of the United States, should be invited to Washington College.
His reply was as follows:
“Lexington, Virginia, January 8, 1869.
“My Dear Sir: I am much obliged to you for you letter of the 29th ult.,
which I am sure has been prompted by the best motives. I should be glad
if General Grant would visit Washington College, and I should endeavour
to treat him with the courtesy and respect due the President of the
United States; but if I were to invite him to do so, it might not be
agreeable to him, and I fear my motives might be misunderstood at this
time, both by himself and others, and that evil would result instead
of good. I will, however, bear your suggestion in mind, and should a
favourable opportunity offer I shall be glad to take advantage of it.
Wishing you happiness and prosperity, I am, Very respectfully,
“Your obedient servant,
“R. E. Lee.”
A lady living in New York wrote to General Lee in 1867, asking for a
catalogue of Washington College and a copy of its charter and laws. She
wished also to know whether or not the college was sectarian, and,
if so, of what denomination. She intimated that she desired to make a
donation to some institution of learning, and was rather inclined to
select the Episcopal Theological Seminary, near Alexandria, Virginia.
The president sent her the following reply to her letter:
“Lexington, Virginia, June 24, 1867.
“Miss Ann Upshur Jones, No. 156 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y.
“My Dear Madam: I have had the honour to receive your letter of the 17th
inst., and I send to your address a catalogue of Washington College
and a copy of its charter and laws. On the thirty-seventh page of the
former, and the eleventh of the latter, you will find what is prescribed
on the subject of religion. I do not know that it ever has been
sectarian in its character since it was chartered as a college; but
it certainly is not so now. Located in a Presbyterian community, it
is natural that most of its trustees and faculty should be of that
denomination, though the rector, president, and several of the
professors are members of the Episcopal Church. It is furthest from my
wish to divert any donation from the Theological Seminary at Alexandria,
for I am well acquainted with the merits of that institution, have
a high respect for its professors, and am an earnest advocate of its
object. I only give you the information you desire, and wish you to
follow your own preferences in the matter. With great respect,
“Your obedient servant,
“R. E. Lee.”
In 1869 she wrote again, stating that she proposed breaking up
housekeeping, that she had no family to whom to give her books,
furniture, and silver, that she did not wish to sell them nor store
them away, and had therefore determined to present them to the “greatest
living man,” and she begged him to accept them, or, if his house was
already furnished, to make use of them in his college. To this letter he
replied:
“Lexington, Virginia, February 13, 1869.
“My Dear Miss Jones: After long and diligent inquiry I only this moment
learned your address, and have been during this time greatly mortified
at my inability to acknowledge the receipt and disposition of your
valuable and interesting donation to Washington College. The books
were arranged in the library on their arrival, the globes in the
philosophical department, while the furniture, carpets, sofas,
chairs, etc., have been applied to the furnishing of the dais of the
audience-room of the new chapel, to the comfort and ornament of which
they are a great addition. I have yet made no disposition of the plate
and tableware, and they are still in the boxes in which they came. I
inclose the resolution of thanks passed by the Board of Trustees of
the College at their annual meeting, to which I beg to add my personal
acknowledgments and grateful sense of your favour and kindness to
this institution. It would give me great pleasure if you would visit
Lexington at the commencement in June next, the third Thursday, that I
might then show you the successful operation of the college. Mrs. Lee
joins me in sentiments of esteem and regard, praying that the great and
merciful God may throw around you His protecting care and love. I am,
with great respect,
“Your obedient servant,
“R. E. Lee.
“Miss Ann Upshur Jones, No. 38 Union Square, New York.”
The plate, tableware, and a curious old work-table, for which no
place could be found in the college, valuable only on account of their
antiquity and quaintness, he finally allowed to be called his own.
When my mother hurriedly left her home in the spring of 1861, she found
it impossible to carry away the valuable relics of General Washington
which her father had inherited from Mount Vernon, and which had been
objects of great interest at Arlington for more than fifty years. After
the Federal authorities took possession of the place, the most valuable
of these Mount Vernon relics were conveyed to Washington City and placed
in the Patent Office, where they remained on exhibition for many years
labelled “Captured from Arlington.” They were then removed to the
“National Museum,” where they are now, but the card has been taken off.
In 1869, a member of Congress suggested to my mother that she should
apply to President Johnson to have them restored to her. In a letter
from my father to this same gentleman, this bit of quiet humour occurs:
“Lexington, Virginia, February 12, 1869.
“...Mrs. Lee has determined to act upon your suggestion and apply to
President Johnson for such of the relics from Arlington as are in the
Patent Office. From what I have learned, a great many things formerly
belonging to General Washington, bequeathed to her by her father, in
the shape of books, furniture, camp equipage, etc., were carried away by
individuals and are now scattered over the land. I hope the possessors
appreciate them and may imitate the example of their original owners,
whose conduct must at times be brought to their recollection by
these silent monitors. In this way they will accomplish good to the
country....”
He refers to this same subject in a letter to the honourable George W.
Jones, Dubuque, Iowa:
“...In reference to certain articles which were taken from Arlington,
about which you inquire, Mrs. Lee is indebted to our old friend Captain
James May for the order from the present administration forbidding
their return. They were valuable to her as having belonged to her
great-grandmother (Mrs. General Washington), and having been bequeathed
to her by her father. But as the country desires them, she must
give them up. I hope their presence at the capital will keep in
the remembrance of all Americans the principles and virtues of
Washington....”
To the Honourable Thomas Lawrence Jones, who endeavoured to have the
order to restore the relics to Mrs. Lee executed, the following letter
of thanks was written:
“Lexington, Virginia, March 29, 1869.
“Honourable Thomas Lawrence Jones,
“Washington City, District of Columbia.
“My Dear Sir: I beg to be allowed to tender you my sincere thanks for
your efforts to have restored to Mrs. Lee certain family relics in the
Patent Office in Washington. The facts related in your speech in the
House of Representatives on the 3d inst., so far as known to me, are
correct, and had I conceived the view taken of the matter by Congress I
should have endeavoured to dissuade Mrs. Lee from applying for them. It
may be a question with some whether the retention of these articles is
more ‘an insult,’ in the language of the Committee on Public Buildings,
‘to the loyal people of the United States,’ than their restoration; but
of this I am willing that they should be the judge, and since Congress
has decided to keep them, she must submit. However, her thanks to you,
sir, are not the less fervent for your kind intercession in her behalf,
and with highest regards, I am, with great respect,
“Your obedient servant,
“R. E. Lee.”
Washington’s opinion of this transaction, if it could be obtained, would
be of interest to many Americans! [These relics were restored to the
family in 1903 by the order of President McKinley.]