Lee, Robert E. (1807-1870) to Sidney Smith Lee
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00215 Author/Creator: Lee, Robert E. (1807-1870) Place Written: Mexico City, Mexico Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 21 May 1848 Pagination: 1 p. : envelope ; 27 x 21 cm. Order a Copy
Secretarially written and signed letter. Written to his brother (addressed "My dear Rose") as Engineer accompanying the Mexico expedition. A joyous Lee proudly announces the final ratification of a Peace Treaty between the United States and Mexico, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, by which the United States gained its entire western territory, from Texas to California. Lee comments that he is "exhilarated by the prospect of getting home, when I shall again see you & my dear Sis Nanie." Envelope addressed to Sidney Smith Lee, Annapolis. According to Paul C. Nagel, The Lees of Virginia, "Rose" was Sidney S. Lee's nickname. With envelope and carte de visite.
City of Mexico 21 May 1848
My dear Rose
I have a little good news to tell you this evg & as little time to tell it in. The mail from Queretaro last night brought letters from reliable persons, one of which I Saw, Stating that on the evg of the 11 Inst: a vote was taken in the Chamber of Deputies on the general passage of the Treaty of Peace & carried in the Affirmative by 48 votes to 36. That it would come upon the 19 on its final passage & after being passed, be sent to the Senate, where it would undoubtedly pass by an increased Majority, & probably by the 24th - So certain was its passage through the Senate considered that the President Peña y Peña had determined as soon as it had finally passed the Deputies to invite our Commissioners to Q- to be ready to make the interchange &c.
This morng at 2 A.M. a Special Express arrived from Q- with the intelligence of the final passage [inserted: by the Chamber of Deputies] of the Treaty with all the Modifications of our Senate, by a vote of 51 to 35. It therefore only wants the Confirmation of the Senate, of which those who ought to know Say there is no doubt.
We all feel quite exhilarated at the prospect of getting home, when I shall again see you & my dear Sis, Nanie. Where will you be this Summer? I have heard that the Commissioners Start for Q- tomorrow. I know not whether it is true. Genl Smith will probably leave here for Vera Cruz on the 24 or 25 to make arrangements for the embarkation of troops. As soon is it certain that we march out, & I make the necessary arrangements for the Engineer Train &c I shall endeavor to be off. I shall therefore leave everything till I see you. Several of your Navy boys are [inserted: here] who will be obliged "to cut out." Love to Sis, Nanie & the boys - Rhett Buchanan & all friends are well very truly & affy
R E Lee
[envelope]
City of Mexico}
22 May 1848 }
Lt: Sidney Smith Lee
U.S. Navy
Annapolis, Md:
U.S. America
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