U.S. Mil. Academy West Point 4 Sept., 1854
Genl.
I have the honour to inform you, that it will be unnecessary to use the authority conveyed in your letter of the 3rd ulto, as requested in mind of the 29th, to substitute Silliman’s Chemistry, in place of the present text book (Kane’s) on that subject; a sufficient number of the latter having been procured for the present 2nd Class in time for the commencement of the course on the 1st Inst.
I am very respectfully Your Obedt. Servt.
Signed/ R. E. Lee Br. Col:
Supt: Mil: Acady
Superintendent's Daily Correspondence United States Military Academy
Superintendent's Letter Book No. 3, p. 134. Addressed “Genl: Jos: G. Totten Chief Engineer Washington City D.C.”