Lee, Robert E. (1807-1870) to John MacKay re: birth of daughter Agnes, engineer business, officers marrying

Arlington, March 18, 1841
My dearest Jack
Your Compliments of the current year though tardily offered were highly acceptable and had they not reached me in very busy times would have been more promptly acknowledged. Among the things that then distracted my attention was the arrival of another little Lee, whose approach however long foreseen, I could have dispensed with for a year or two more. However as she was in such haste to greet her Pa and I am now very glad to see her and although she has not conformed to the order established by her predecessors, for you know that we have been very precise in arranging them in pairs of boys and girls, and come out of her turn yet I must play the forgiving father and excuse her first offense. To add to the confusion created in the wigwam by this unprecedented breech of discipline the aforesaid couples prepared themselves with the most obdurate codes and open upon this new concern with such an insistent barking, that all my care and attention were required to keep them from her captivating presence. By drink of sugar and house bound candy with an occasional sprinkling of Pease's the cause of their embargo has been remorse and they now, by authority hunt her in full, throughout with so annoying a cry. I have also been called to Baltimore by the sick bed of my brother, whose symptoms were so alarming that at one time it was thought he could not live. I returned from there yesterday and am happy to inform you that I left him, free from pain and fever and in a most favorable way for recovery - add to this Jack my necessary attentions to Uncle Sam - the no less imperative ones to the pretty girls, God bless them, and no further excuse for my dilatory reply need be given.
You will have seen an account of the appropriations by Congress that though certain appropriations have been made for surveys, the general item of 30,000 dollars for your services has been denied. Neither has anything been granted except for the railroad which has been turned over to your Department. The appropriations for the military works are confined to the old fortifications and were intended principally to complete certain parts and lay permanent traverse circles and build furnaces for heating shot. Only 15,000 were given to Fort Pulaski. I was sent during the winter to Forts Macon and Caswell to make estimates for putting them in better order and also for a breakwater to protect the site of the former. Small appropriations have been granted for these purposes and God grant that they may be applied by someone else. I have seen enough of that sovereign and independent commonwealth! And may you now John, see as much as I have! When I shall go, or what my destiny will be, I am yet ignorant; but as far as I can judge from the signs of the times, for you must know our Chief is very close though a first rate officer as well as man; it lays between North Carolina and the harbor of New York. If my wish could be taken into the account it would certainly fall to the latter. Had not my mission to North Carolina during the winter been one that required speed I should certainly have taken a run as far as Savannah and I went prepared for that event in hopes that my good fortunes might bring about. But they were in great haste to get my plans and reports to lay them before Congress as the basis of an appropriations when I found that the sea had approached to within 50 feet of the gates of Fort Macon and that its advance had been constant and steady for many years. I could not in conscience take even a few days that I wold have required to look in upon you. I am truly delighted to hear such good accounts of Mrs. E. Stiles and hope that she will soon be entirely well again. Is there any prospect of her coming to the North this summer or can you tell me of the probabilities of ever seeing her again. To have one more in my favor I must go to New York Harbor, for I should hate to see any friend of mine - in North Carolina I mean on the coast. Just as I was taking leave of it this winter and on the point of stepping into the boat, my eye was arrested by some large black trunks with M. J. on the ends, I was so impressed with the idea of their belonging to Mrs. Jones that I had to disturb the little lad who seemed to have had thought to obtain satisfaction when I found my conjecture right. But I could not get the lady herself nor would the "Civil Boat" allow me a single moment to search for her. And so the "little madam" has another son! Give her my congratulations and say that S.C. is rich in possessing her.
It is time MacKay that you should be doing something for your country. I saw Dick in Baltimore. He is happy as the day is long and night too. Stays in the house and kisses his pretty little wife. Tom Lee is also married, long Tom to Miss Cassandra Nesbitt and Cambell Graham to Miss Gilmer. Palmer of your Corps is quite sick. I suppose you hear all of the Washington news. My young friends Meigs is engaged to Miss Louisa Rodgers, his comrade Halleck is making sweet eyes at Miss Virginia Forsyth, Mr. Singleton of S.C. is engaged to Miss Liz Woodbury. So they go on MacKay - Joe Johnston is on the Sabine. The city is filled with topographers, why in the world do you not come on some time. There is no military news. There will be no war with England this year. Our worthy members of Congress have another opportunity to make belligerent speeches. Did you see the remarks of Mr. Starkeweather of Ohio? General Scott has gone to assist the Governor of New York to maintain order on the frontier. Mr. Crittenden, the Attorney General has gone to attend the trial of McLeod in effect his rescue. Should the official notice to our government of the assumption of the burning of the Caroline by the British government be received before his trial, his release will be demanded by him from the government, if not, he should be found guilty and his sentence will be stayed. There is another subject for the two nations to talk about for the next half century. Give my love to everybody MacKay - offer congratulations to Mrs. Mercer, Hugh, Miss Gregory and the whole part - I have been made a horse - a dog, ladder and target for a cannon by the little Lee's since I have been writing so I wish you well over it - present me to Mike and Mrs. Mike and little Mike and believe me yours truly.
R. E. Lee