Augusta County: "R.E. Lee to W.W. Corcoran," by Robert E. Lee, October 9, 1869 to August 23, 1870
Summary: This is a series of letters from Robert E. Lee to Hon. W. W. Corcoran. Lee discusses raising money for Washington College. He also mentions his own ill health during the winter of 1869-70. And in response to the Franco-Prussian War, Lee laments human nature and its tendency toward violence and war. Lee does, though, mention his own sympathies for a "warlike people" that seeks to "drive invaders from their land."
LEXINGTON, VA., 9th October, 1869.
My Dear Mr. Corcoran-I have received this morning your note, of the 7th instant, transmitting the assignment of Mr. Peabody of his claim against Virginia, with a copy of Mr. Russell's note to you. I am truly grateful to Mr. Peabody for his generous gift to Washington College, which, I hope, will result in much good to the people of the State and in honor to him; and I am greatly thankful to you and Mr. Russell for your interest and kind offices in the matter. Will you add to my obligations by giving me your advice as to how to proceed to realize the donation? I do not propose to indulge in intemperate haste, nor do I think it advisable to approach the Legislature before it is organized, under the constitution which has been adopted, for general business-it being understood to be now in session for a specific purpose and for the fulfillment of the laws of Congress on the subject of reconstruction. I wish, also, in presenting the claim not to offend the sentiment of the people, and to obtain the aid of the leading men of the State. Perhaps it would be well, to wait for Mr. Peabody's memorial and other papers, or shall I endeavor to obtain them from the files of the Legislature at Richmond?
With true regard, sincerely yours, R. E. LEE.
Hon. W. W. CORCORAN.
LEXINGTON, VA., 26th January, 1870.
My Dear Mr. Corcoran-I am very sorry that I cannot attend the funeral obsequies of Mr. Peabody. It would be some relief to witness the respect paid to his remains and to participate in commemorating his virtues; but I am unable to undertake the journey. I have been sick all the winter and am still under medical treatment. I particularly regret that I shall not have the pleasure of seeing you. Mr. Cyrus McCormick, Colonel Christian and Major Kirkpatrick, trustees of Washington College, will represent it on the occasion. They will assemble at Mr. McCormick's house, No. 40 Fifth Avenue, New York, and will probably not leave before the end of this week. I wish you would join them, as I know they would be happy of your company. Please remember me to Mr. Thornton and Mr. and Mrs. Russell.
With great regard,
R. E. LEE
Hon. W. W. CORCORAN.
HOT SPRINGS, VA., 23d August, 1870.
My Dear Mr. Corcoran-It has been a source of regret to me this summer that I have been unable to enjoy your company while you were in the mountains. As you have left the White, I presume your visit to Virginia for this season is near its close and I see no prospect of my meeting with you. I hope that you have been benefited by your visit to the mountains and will return to your home refreshed and strengthened. My best wishes accompany you wherever you are. I have been trying the effects of these waters, by the advice of Dr. Buckler, and cannot now perceive much change in my rheumatic symptoms, though I will only have been here a fortnight to-morrow. I purpose leaving here Monday next, 29th, for Staunton, for the purpose of attending a meeting of the stockholders of the Valley Railroad Company. They have been disappointed in obtaining from the county of Augusta its subscription to the road, and have to devise ways and means of making up its quota of $300,000 before they can receive the benefit of the subscription of the city of Baltimore and of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company. They have an impression that, as president of the company, I can assist them, and I have been so strongly urged on the subject, that, if elected, I will accept and serve them as well as I can. I do not think they ought, however, to put me on these "forlorn hope" expeditions. I have served my turn.
I have watched, with much anxiety, the progress of the war between France and Germany, and without going into the merits of the question at issue, or understanding the necessity of the recourse to arms, I have regretted that they did not submit their differences to the arbitration of the other Powers, as provided in the articles of the treaty of Paris of 1856. It would have been a grand moral victory over the passions of men, and would have so elevated the contestants in the eyes of the present and future generations as to have produced a beneficial effect. It might have been expecting, however, too much from the present standard of civilization, and I fear we are destined to kill and slaughter each other for ages to come. You have, in addition, personal anxieties in the result, and the natural feeling lest your children should be mixed up in its complication. As far as I can read the accounts, the French have met with serious reverses, which seem to have demoralized the nation, and are therefore alarming. Whatever may be the issue, I cannot help sympathizing with the struggles of a warlike people to drive invaders from their land.
Wishing you all health and every happiness,
I am, most truly and sincerely,
yours,
R. E. LEE.
Mr. W. W. CORCORAN.
Bibliographic Information: Source copy consulted: Letters of General R. E. Lee, Southern Historical Society Papers, pp. 154-155
