Robert E. Lee to Joseph Henry

Allow me to make known to you Mr. Leander J. McCormick of Chicago, a gentleman of high standing & character, who wishes to erect and provide with superior instruments an Astronomical and Physical Observatory in the State of Virginia

Mr McCormick will be pleased to confer with you upon the subject, and be glad to get views and information

The importance of such an enterprize to Science, and your deep interest in all that relates to its progress, render it unnecessary for me to say anything, except that any attention you may show Mr McC. will confer a favor upon

Yours truly

R E Lee

Prof Joseph Henry Smithsonian Institute Washington City, D.C.