Lee, Robert E. (1807-1870) to John MacKay

S.B. Matta, Missouri river
My dearest Jack
I have thought So hardly of you for Some months back that my Conscience will not let me rest until I Say so to your face, So finding myself quite Collected, hard & fast on a Sand bar, with an apple orchard in rear that there is an possibility of overreaching, I have Sat down to night to unburden my feelings. I need not tell you of what I have to Complain as I am Sure your own Conscience has pricked you so hard that you are Sore on the Subject, notwithstanding the excuses with which you have been plying [inserted: it] of long journeys, Arduous duties, topographising return to Savannah, pretty Girls &c &c. Why Man you have not written to me any time, I had almost said, these five years, and were it not for [an] accident, So to speak, and the A & N. Chronicle I Should know no more of you than the man in the Moon, who if all is true that is Said of him must be the biggest blockhouse in the Universe, and yet is as well informed on the present Subject as your "friend of Missouri." He has got to a pretty pass, I don't mean of the river for a worse one for a man in hurry I Cannot Conceive, to be obliged to quarrel with Jack Mackay to get a word out of him. No wonder he has grown grey and bald; Surely Robt Lee you have fallen upon evil times or evil times upon you, And that is because you have left Virginia.
Here is my hand John Mackay, for my anger has entirely vanished at the thoughts of VA! Do you know how many little Lees there are now there? It is astonishing with [2] what facility the precious Creatures are dressed up for the return of their Papas! I am sure to be introduced to a new one every Xmas. They are the dearest Annuals of the Season, and I find Something in every edition that I in vain look for elsewhere. I am informed that there is now at home a little long nosed fellow waiting for my first benediction, and my Sis Marie has a black headed duplicate to greet the Arrival of my Sailor Brother from the West Indies. With what a bountiful land are these little responsibilities distributed! As soon as navigation opened this Spring I Carried Mrs Lee and the boys to Arlington, which they left in the Summer and have been luxuriating during the hot weather among the Cool Mountains of the Blue Ridge. They joined parties with Mrs Custis and nothing less than an entire Stage or omnibus would Contain them. For myself I have been Studying Mud and water in the West. Have done a tolerable Seasons work at the Rapids, the Harbor of StLouis, considering the want of Cash, and am now hunting Snags on the Missouri. I am wrong, they are no game but [inserted: spoil sport & ___ too and] stare you in the face like a forest of Butler Sycamores. At all events I am Still hunting now, and If I Could only get off this Bar, and at Some Apples it would be more Amusing. We have 93 Cabin Passengers, a fair lot of Lady freight & 20 Children. Are on the verge of the Western Civilization, and in the heart of the Country of the Volunteer Heroes of Florida and Mormon War. I shall soon be at the end of my letter and have no wish to prolong it. I must stop for to night, the gentlemen have put out our fire with the extract of tobacco, and the ladies are putting their little pledges to bed which produces an uncomfortable Commotion. It is a little unremarkable that as often as I travel up their rivers with the fair part of humanity I never travel down. I wonder if it is explained upon the same principle that Sam Weller accounts for never seeing dogs around [3] a sausage factory. That [inserted: they] are used up.

St Louis 7th Nov 1839
Upon my arrival here some week or ten days ago, from the eventful trip which I Commenced to relate to you, I found my dear Jack your letter of the 6th Oct. It should have recd as it discuses an [inserted: entire] Answer, but I wished you to See what was thought of your conduct in these parts, and I really have not time to write a separate letter As soon as I returned I had to get off my Arrival papers reports &c [inserted: the last of] which I have just mailed and must take a Boat tomorrow for the lower Mississippi; whence I have to proceed to the Arkansas & Red rivers, before I Can See my young & entrusting family that I have above alluded to. I shall go directly to VA from the lower Country and as fast I Can. But your letter. You have my Sympathy, and I think I am enabled to appreciate your Situation. I am very glad to hear that you are all well. I have heard indirectly of your Sis. Eliza. My youngest Sister [inserted: Mrs Childe] was at NewPort a portion of the Summer but whether they met or knew of the propinquity of each other I have never heard they did, but Mrs. C. having been a fidgety little thing from her childhood Can't stay long in one place, and has again gone to Europe. Supps I was at Arlington She has written to me there. I am very glad to hear that your Sisters health was impd but I shall miss seeing her again. I still hope of getting some day to Sav. to see you all. I have heard of your Map from several sources and shall be very glad to see it. I shall at any rate get a sight of it this winter in Wash. What are they going to do in Florida? It is high time that they had abandoned it, or gave seriously to work to reduce it. I hear of no preparations for this Winter, on the Contrary, I should judge it was their intuition to let the war die, to keep some troops between the Whites & Indians [inserted: during its life] unless Covy should take the matter in hand. John Randolphs description of the Country in the debate relative to its purchase has been often called to my mind "It is a land Sir, [4] abounding in Alligators, Serpents, Tadpoles, and every venomous reptile, A land to which no man would emigrate [struck: to] from Purgatory, No not from h-l itself." As to Mr Abels prospects here, I should think that if he was a first rate (that is the phrase) Musician he would succeed. There is a great deal of Musical taste here in my opinion, and a great many teachers. There is also some talent, and some good performers. There are now here Mr Dempster, Mr Shephard, Segr Martinez, Miss Overstolz, Miss - (some German Girl) &c. But there is [a] great deal in a name. On the other hand, Living is very dear, debts hard to Collect & promises abundant. The best time for his Coming out I should think was the Fall. I shall be very happy to receive any one introduced by your Mother and will do all in my power (which I am afraid will amount to nothing) to assist him - If you rely upon Capt. Clarkes Compr in your Bachelorship, you have no time to lose to desert the fraternity. There is a Miss Anne Johnson from Md that he is laying as close Seige [sic] to[struck: o], as the Customs of Civilized Society will admit of. She is on a visit to Major Lees wife & I never go there day or night, raining or shining that he is not Close by her Rocking Chair and She in it. I have had to petition that they be furnished with Separate worms for it is against my principles to flush a pain in such a Covy or to be ballyragged from the House. I delivered your message, but he Corked up his eye and asked me if I saw any thing green then and walked off. You must remember me very particularly to [inserted: yr] Mother, Sisters & brothers and all the little ones - Write to Alexandria D. C.
Very truly yours
R E Lee

[address leaf]
Captain John Mackay
Topographical Engrs
Savannah
Georgia