U.S. Military Academy West Point 6. Decr. 1853.
My dear Sir.
I have just recd your letter of the 5th Inst: expressing your desire to return to the Mil: Acady.
I do not feel at liberty to make the communication you request to the Pres: of the U. States. Any information that the Secy of War may require in reference to your connexion with the Acady., not already on the files of the Engineer Dept: at Washington, he will doubtless call for, nor would it be proper for me otherwise to furnish it. The report of the Academic Board in the case of yourself & others, made at the time, contained all the information that could now be given, & I am not aware of anything that could cause the Board to reverse the opinion then formed, which I regret to say was unfavorable to your return. Should you receive a re-appointment I will hope you will carry out your determination to graduate with distinction
I remain with much consideration Resply yours
Sigd./ R E Lee Br. Col.
Supt. Mil: Acady
Superintendent's Daily Correspondence United States Military Academy
Superintendent's Letter Book No. 3, p. 75. Addressed “Mr. Chas. S. Arthur Metropolitan Bank New York”