Robert E. Lee to Charles Carter Lee

I have at length rec - d an answer from Rich - d Stuart to my letter enclosing that of Monsr Bouchon. He says in substance that he had written to Mrs Lee soon after the death of brother H. urging her immediate return to this Country and to her family offering her a home at his expense. That Mrs Lomax and her own Sister did the Same. After a long interval she replied to him, stating her Situation & embarassments, & her wish to remain in Paris if her income should be sufficient to maintain her there. In his reply, he had thought it his duty to remind her that her marriage contract had secured to her all her property; that it had been decided by the Court of Appeals of the State, that it could not be set aside, & that he thought she might avail herself of it to recover her property and live where she pleased, and restore it at her death to her husband's creditors. That he expects his recommendation has offended her (as he has not heard from her since) although he disclaimed any intention of reproaching Major Lee who he was sure had been forced by the urgency of his Creditors to dispose of her property & purposely avoided any reference to the past that might excite her feelings; and that he was pained to think that She has shewn a disposition from the beginning to slight her own relations, for she never wrote to either of her Sisters - That after reflecting upon the Subject he had come to the conclusion that she ought to return immediately to this Country, & if she does not choose to live among her relations, they will at all events be better able to support her in whatever part of the Country she may select.

That it will certainly not take $1200. & he thinks she ought to Sacrifice every selfish consideration for the convenience of those who are desirous of assisting her - That you who have more influence over her than any one else had better prevail on her to come & that he will be most happy to contribute in every way to her comfort & happiness.

That he had written to her sister, but had not heard from her, & thinks it will not be possible to collect for her $800. per year. That his own income is very variable & has as yet been little more than necessary for his family, which is now becoming more expensive; that whatever he can spare her, he will do so cheerfully, and that he will be pleased to hear from me again & when it is proposed to send her more funds.

I have given you the whole that you may form your own opinion without being biased by mine. I certainly cannot agree with him in the recommendation contained in the first part, though you will see that I concur in the propriety of her returning to this Country. He has not taken the course that I had hoped rather than expected, he would; and I fear that all the assistance that can be relied on is a trifle in money, unless poor lady she will be willing to live among them. However no good will be gained in rejecting these slight aids, and for her sake all friends should be gained that can. As harm may come from the publication of his opinion in reference to her right to claim her property

I advise you to keep it entirely to yourself. Beleiving that you would stand in need of the fullest information in reference to this matter was the reason of my giving it to you. Some step ought to be taken at once, or the remainder of her principal will be consumed and then she will have to depend entirely on others. I told you of my willingness to give my aid, and when you have decided on the plan to be adopted you must let me know.

I have just rec - d your letter of the 15th and will tomorrow get the book and deliver it to Major Lewis after making the corrections indicated. In a letter from Uncle Wms not long since, in speaking of Shirleys death, his prospects in his profession & estimation of the Community, he states that he had "made considerable progress in religion. The preacher who officiated at his funeral declared in his place that he felt as if he had lost a brother. This surprised every one for none knew that they were even acquainted."

We are all pretty well. Miss Molly's health is very delicate, Uncle B - is still in Phil - a and is not expected back before March - Bernard has return - d to Wash - The children have all been to bed many hours & the rest of the household have retired so I have no messages - "Daughter <mutilated>She had forgotten all your songs & the Yankee bowman too - Eleanor Rodgers & Miss Patsy Cary are here on a visit - The Bridge has gone & has cut us off almost entirely from Wash - for the ferry is almost impassable -

There is nothing new, except that the Major held forth yesterday (22nd) in Alex - s. Anne, Mr Marshall writes is better - Very truly

& Affr

R E Lee