Lee, Mary Custis

Autograph letter signed, 4 pages (8 x 5in.; 204 x 127mm), Lexington, 23 February 1871, to an unidentified general; creasing at folds. Tan linen folding case, brown morocco spine, blue morocco lettering pieces.

Lee's remains and monuments. The widow of Robert E. Lee thanks her correspondent for his letter and pamphlet which "contains so much that is interesting to me & that I read again to refresh and comfort me." She notes she has been annoyed at the misrepresentation that she desires to have her husband's remains moved to Richmond: "At first when I did not expect to remain in Lexington I yielded to the Committee sent by the Legislature as far as to say if the State at some future time should still desire to have the remains I would not oppose it & begged that the subject not be agitated again, which request has not been complied with tho' that Committee have respected my wishes there were many reasons why Richmond would have been more desirable especially if I had not remained here, being so much more central & the capital of the State we all so much loved." Still Lee dreads a removal, regrets any commitments made and notes, "your pamplet [sic] has very much relieved my mind as it expresses entirely my views. She adds: "Each place can raise the monument they desire. Should an equestrian one be decided on for Richmond, that could be placed in a public square & would be very suitable, as my husband valued his horse above all his possessions." Lexington, too, will have a statue and decorate their chapel appropriately.  She concludes: "Let the future take care of itself. He needs no monument to establish his fame, his memory will ever live in the hearts of his countrymen."