Robert E. Lee to Charles Carter Lee

I have been intending to write ever since my arrival & to have given you intelligence of what is passing in the Country, But the devil of it is that nothing is passing in this Country, & as often as I have thought of taking up my pen, I have been sure to think of putting it down again. We form somewhat of a table here now, Cousin Anna, Cousin Landonia, Mrs Williams & her chickens, Rose, My large family & the Major's, to say nothing of my Aunt Eleanor, have regular covers, which together with a passenger or two completes the part. Among these last appeared a day or two ago Mr Turner, who gave us good intelligence of all in Fauquier. Uncle Fitz was well as also the old fellow, lady & child, and it was thought by the doating Mother that this was the only one of its kind in the Country. I could prove to her the contrary, Should I show her my efforts that way & I fear turn all her love to envy. John Hill, is at home & it is said will be married in May. Your People are at K. & ready for an early start - Rose is navigating his craft to Georgetown as assiduously as ever & from what I understand is not to be married till he makes another voyage to Sea. Charles (Sweet) is fixed in a very comfortable little Cottage on the hill & rides to the City as often as there is a day for him to ride in. Bernard is staying with him & comes in as regularly though not at so early a period. They say that letters have been received in Phila from Uncle Bernard, Swearing he will be in the Country in the Spring & Stating that for white or black Va. is the happiest place in the World. Mr. & Mrs. Featherstone have been in Wash. some time. She suddenly left for Phil - a - , Sola, & he is Solus in W. I heard the other day that he had been appointed to the vacant Professorship of Mineralogy at West Point, but do not know whether it is true. The Childes are still flourishing, at the corner of Broad & Chesnut. I suppose you have heard that Anne had a second little boy & was very well, at least so said Mr. Mercer a few days after my arrival here, though the parties concerned have returned no answer to my congratulatory epistle. The fashionables of Wash - are duller than usual this winter. Mrs. Livingston still rides in her coach & four, though Miss Cora Seldom makes her appearance & is said to be in a decline. Mrs Dr Howard & Miss Anne A Key are staying at the Fancy's & are as beautiful as ever - . Miss Cornelia Thomas of West River is also in W. & perhaps a thousand others. Every thing that is new & interesting you see in the papers & more too. I go over occasionally & listen to the debates & was present the other day during the sparring in the Senate. Dr. Mason has been occasionally here this week, owing to the indisposition of Cousin Landonia. She has a violent cold & has suffered from a swolen throat. He is here at present. Mary & your nephew have also had colds. All send their loves & enquire when you will be up, To which I answer "Quies Sabo"? (who knows?) - While at Broad Neck, I wish you would draw up a release for Uncle Wms & bring with you, we can all sign it here & I can carry it down with me. Remember me to my Uncles, Mr. W. & dear Cousin Ann & tell them I wish they may live a thousand years, & believe me till then your brother.

R. E. Lee