Robert E. Lee to Charles Carter Lee

Although I have not yet heard My dear Carter that you have taken up your line of march for N. York, Yet I will not let pass the opportunity of Kennedy's return there to thank you for your letter from Salem. This I should have done before had I have known where to have found you, but the only intelligence I received of your movements after your departure for Abington, was your having left Ravensworth for Washington under the expectation of being obliged to proceed to N.Y. immediately, otherwise to return there. What favourable accounts you gave of our Estates. It is really tempting to a newly married couple. And the quantity of "Helps" which it seems a man can certainly count upon, is quite charming in the prospect of stocking a farm. I have been trying to persuade Mary to go out, and as it appears she will have so many under her charge, I shall take the Mule & Cattle Department under my sole superintendance. But you have not said yet whether you would advise such a movement on my part or whether being an indifferent Engineer I would make a more Scientific Drovier. There is one thing I believe certain. We must either pay the Taxes or give up the Land. If you think the last more valuable than the first, or that there is any likelyhood of our being indemnified for what expenses we may incur, We must commence at once & try to raise the money, for there is little time to spare. Give me your ideas on this subject & also what arrangements you & Smith made in Fauquier for I am as anxious about the one as the other & Smith you know never writes. We got letters from the District by the Potomac last week, Mrs Custis had returned from the Upper County much improved in health, & with the intention of returning to Marietta's wedding about the 18th. Smith talked of going too. Cousin Anna & Miss M. G. would stay at Arlington till she went & return there as soon as she came down, Aunt Randolph & Landonia were at Dr. Masons, Mrs Lewis had returned to Alexandria & would move to Wood - lawn about the 20th Miss Peddy very fat. I received a long letter from Mildred, who was then in Boston, but I suppose about this time on her way to Baltimore, you will probably see her in N. York. I have not heard a word of Uncle Wms since he left for the Springs, Bungus has gone back to Mr Brents & Williams sailed about five weeks since from Hampton Roads in - Sloop of War, Capt. Cooper, for the Pacific, A good three years cruise - The Artillery School of Practice is to be revived here. Col. Eustis & five new companies are ordered on - The two from Governour's Island have arrived - Mary was a little sick about a month ago, but has now entirely recovered & fattened considerably. The roses are beginning to bloom in her cheeks as they did in former years, she sends much love & her best wishes for the safe arrival of yourself & her packages in N. York Do write My dear Carter when you have leisure touching plainly and at large upon the business part of this letter. I have nothing more to say And I hope more would not be wanting to assure you of the sincere affection of

Yours

R. E. Lee