Lee, Robert E. (1807-1870) to George W. C. Lee

Baltimore 3 Aug 1851
How is it with you, My dearest Mr Boo? Times are pretty dull in B - and now for speck, the Parrot & myself. No Men, no Children, No Mrs. Bonaparte, No baby! Still we get along, & at Sollers we hammer on lustily. This past month, we have been laying stone by means of a Diving Bell. A troublesome operation with awkward timid men. They are getting somewhat tutored now, & I hope this month to do better. Besides I have overcome many of the difficulties, by Contrivances & arrangements to meet them. And you Know all difficulties Can be overcome by labour & perseverance. I was delighted at the Contradiction in your last letter of that slanderous report against the room of those fine Cadets Lee, Wood, & Turnbull. I Could not believe it before, to the extent of the report, & Supposed it must have [inserted: been] greatly exaggerated. I am happy to have my impressions Confirmed. I trust there will be no Cause for [2] even suspicion in future, I know there will be none in reality so far as you are Concerned. Your letter also did me good in other respects. It talked of being on the Colour guard. Of being relieved from Post. Of taking your ease in your own tent. That Sounded well. It assured me of your being released from arrest. Of being in duty again. Of Coming right up to the mark. Of no discouragement, no abatement in exertion, or relaxation in will, In a word of Standing up to the rack, fodder or no fodder. That was right. Keep up that spirit, & things will Soon Come right again. I was very sad before, when I thought of you Confined to your room. Trailing to meals after the guard & deprived of the relaxation & enjoyment of your Comrades. It seemed unnatural I Could not realize that such a position was befitting my Son. But now things look right again. I am cheered up. I am hopeful, I feel that you are happy. That you Can enjoy yourself, See your friends. And I am Content. I only wish I Could See [3] you. I must try & manage it Somehow. Mrs Wood & Pretty Nina will go on in a few days and. They were to go about the 10th You will See them. If your mother returns in time, I will try & get her & may off with them. And if the former Cannot go, at any rate the latter. They both want to See you very much, & I want to See you all, I Shall send by Mrs W. your socks, handkerchiefs & gloves. They are the best I Could find here. The former seemed to me particularly good & will be fine for you as the Cool weather Comes on. If you want any yarn or worsted let me know. Take Care of all your things & learn now to practice economy & good management. Such knowledge will be better for you than a fortune. Many fortunes are lost for the want of it. And all are made with it. I have heard from your Mother since [struck: the] I last wrote. She was still at Audly & meditating a visit to Annefield & Meded, as soon as your Grd Mother reaches A - Miss May Meade & Mrs - Carter, had been over to invite her to their houses. I yesterday got a very sweet letter from my dear Cousin Anne Carter, inviting me up [4] Annefield to join them. But Alas I Can't go. I must work that others may play. Your Grd Mother & her party were to have left Arlington for Audly last Wednesday. But we had quite a Storm here that day, which Seemed to be general, & it did not break away till noon Thursday. I think it doubtful therefore whether she got off before Friday. She was to Stop at Middleburg the first night. I also got a letter from Roony. He was not going to ride the Colt over the mountains, but said if I wished her brought in here he would bring her with him. That he did not wish to bring her, unless I wanted her! I recd a letter from Mrs. Esther Lewis, saying she would be here Friday. I Came up from Sollers & met her at the arrival of the Cars. She stood here Friday night & went up to A- yesterday morg. She brought back my 4 logs. Lawrence remd behind. He was going to Sea before the must in a new Liverpool Packet from Phila Capt West - & would Sail in a day or two. It is a fine ship & there are three other lads like himself aboard, who live separately from the Sailors & are under the Care of the Captain. I hope Mr & Mrs B - are well. Remember me Kindly to them. Tell them I miss them very much, & expect in their & Jeromes account, would wish for their return. Present me to Wood, Trumbul, Lawrence
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Conrad. Jerome & all friends, Think always of your devoted father
R E Lee