U.S. Mil. Academy West Point N.Y. 18 Oct. 1854
My dear Sir,
I have recd. with much pleasure your brother’s book “Party Leaders”—From the hasty perusal I have as yet been able to give it, I am much pleased with the manner in which the subject is treated & the discrimination & investigation of character shown in its pages. I hope it will meet with the favor it richly deserves & add to the reputation of its author.
I have placed it in the Library of the Academy, that others may enjoy its perusal, & would have sooner acknowledged it, but have deferred in the hope of having more time to examine it.
I am with much respect your friend
Signed R. E. Lee
Superintendent's Daily Correspondence United States Military Academy
Superintendent's Letter Book No. 3, p. 144. Addressed “C. C. Baldwin Esq. Balcony Falls Virginia.”