Robert E. Lee to William Henry Fitzhugh Lee

I take advantage of the transmission of a letter from Sweet Mary Whittingham to send you a few lines, the only offering I can now give you of my affection & interest. The Pnt will close early next week when I hope to have a little more leisure. It has progressed so far satisf - y but I fear we shall lose some of our friends - Co<m>y & Cambbell did very badly. I fear they will go. See how cruel it is for young men by their neglect & inattention to bring upon their parents & friends the mortification & distress of their failure -

Two nice lads too, but they preferred their own ease & pleasure to their clear and imperative duty -

Your brother will come up in Chemistry tomorrow - I hope he may do as well as in Philosophy - I heard from your Mother yesterday. Your Gr - d father is better & she is thinking of returning to the Point - He will come with her - My little people are well -

With much love I am your father

Robert E. Lee