U.S. Mil: Academy West Point 29 Sept: 1853
My dear Sir.
I have recd. your letter of the 27th Inst: requesting that your son Cadet Parkin Scott might obtain a leave of absence, for the purpose of attending his brothers wedding in Phila. on tuesday next.
It would give me great pleasure to afford him the opportunity you desire, which I know would be equally gratifying to him; but his is not an occasion on which I can relax the Regns of the Acady., nor could I grant to him what I have been obliged repeatedly to refuse to others, to prevent the interests of the Cadets & the duties of the Acady being materially interrupted.
I hope your son will have after graduating many opportunities of attending such ceremonies, & that in the meantime he may find pleasure in preparing himself in his Academic course.
He is now in the commencement of his course of Philosophy, & though his progress so far has not been as great as I had hoped, I expect it will improve. In Chemistry & drawing he has done very well & his conduct for the month has been exemplary.
I remain very resply & truly yours
Sigd./ R. E. Lee Br. Col:
Supt. Mil: Acady
Superintendent's Daily Correspondence United States Military Academy
Superintendent's Letter Book No. 3, pp. 55–56. Addressed “T. Parkin Scott Esq Baltimore Md.”