Lee, Robert E. (1807-1870) to Edward George Washington Butler

Lexington, Va: 11 Oct. 1867.

My dear Genl.
Your letter of 17 July reached here during my absence at the W[hite]. Sulphur Springs, &, though it has been nearly a month since my return, so filled did I find my table with letters requiring answers & so constantly have I been occupied in organizing classes & establishing students in their course of studies, that I have not, until to day, been able to reply. I am glad to hear that your letters reached the Lady of Sudley Castle, & that Mr. Duncan was pleased to express his approval of my opinions. As regards Mr Gayaniz' pamphlet on "Oaths, Amnesties & Rebellion," I think I have acknowledged it. I recollect its reception, &, as I was only able [2] to glance at it's contents, at the time, I placed it in the college library; where it might be generally perused. You will do me a great favor if you will thank Mr. G. for me, the first time you write to him, & express my regret at my acknowledgements not having reached him.
A discussion of the matter, now, is not profitable; but, we are obliged to confess that, notwithstanding our boastful assertions to the world, for nearly a century, that our government was based on the consent of the people; which, [inserted: we proclaimed,] was the only rightful foundation on which any government could stand; [struck: that] it rests upon force; as much as any government that ever existed. You cannot too strongly deprecate the execution of Maximilian. His death was not necessary; & accomplished nothing, but the excitement of the honor of the civilized world. [3] He went to Mexico at the formal invitation of her people, & laboured hard for their improvement. I have grieved much at the sufferings of our Southern people. The floods & the fevers have united in bringing devastation & distress upon them, but I trust that, at no distant day, there will be an end to their afflictions; "For time, at last, sets all things even". I was delighted to meet, at the Springs, Mr Conrad, with his son Charlie & his new daughter. They brought back the recollection of days long passed, & renewed many pleasing associations. I hope that you & your family are well, & that some fortunate day will bring us face to face [struck: to] again. You must remember me most kindly to Mu Butler, Mrs Turnbell, Lawrence, Mr. Williamson & your grd. children. I think Mary's health was benefited by her visit to the Springs. [4] I can see no difference in her rheumatic attack, but she is stronger, has less pain, &, consequently, is more comfortable, & moves about on her crutches with more facility. Agnes, too, I hope, suffers less from neuralgia; but, if all the sickness I ever experienced in my life was put together, I do not think it would equal the attack I had at the Sweet. I believe it proceded from cold, &, after three weeks, left me so weak that I could hardly ride home. I have not fully recovered yet; have a cough, & am very weak. The prospects of the college, this year, are good. We have nearly 400 students, & about 100 more than we had, at this time last year. As the whole number last year was 400, there is a probability of its reaching 500 this year. The students, too, are of a fine order of young men; earnest & faithful - With my best wishes for your happiness & welfare, I am truly your friend Genl E G W. Butler
R E Lee Genl. E.G.W. Butler