American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1877-11-03
A LETTER FROM GEN. LEE.

federate General the Reconciliation
of the Country.
from the Atlanta Constitution.
The press of the country is just now
engaged in publishing a letter, hitherto
unpublished, from Gen. Robert E. Lee,
written Feb. 30, 1861. 1t was written
upon his departure from Texas to his
old friend, John Twohig, the celebrated
banker. In that letter Gen. Lee wrote
Of the occasion calling him home:
"And now, having closed my business, I
will say how I felt day, under the cir
cumstances, lat leavingS San Antonio; especial
" am unable to see a single good that will
result from the step taken by the State; but
as it has been permitted by kind Provi-
dence, hope it will eventuate in her ulti-
mate benefit.'
The far-seeing soldier feared for the
results of the war, and his forebodings
were almost prophetic.
In contrast with the above we desire
to lay before our readers another I'M
published letter of the noble Lee, writ
ten after the war, to friend, Hon. James
May, of Washington City, with whom
the General had sustained the most cor
dial relations.
Mr.. May, over year and a half after
the reception of the letter, sent it to
President johnson, with the following
explanatory note:
WASHINGTON, D. c., Oct. 25, 1S67.-PREsI-
DENT JOHNsON-iSir: Herewith you have
a letter received from Gen. r. E. Lee. l
! do not know that the General expected me
to make any exhibition of it. /, h0weyer,
have thought it proper to show it to many
distinguished gentlemen of our country,
| and deem it proper that you should see it.
have been favored in the past forty years
with the good will and confidence of con-
siderable number of our leading national
statesmen, and have had for many years con-
| tinuous correspondence with many of them.
| Please peruse the letter of Gen. L., and re-
turn it to me through your secretary. 1
have copy of the letter wrote to Gen. L.,
but need not trouble you with it.
Your obedient servant, JAMES MAY.
The letter of Gen. Lee was read by
President johnson, who was much i'm
pressed with its sentiments. He caused
a careful copy of it to be made and care
fully preserved it ever afterward. The
letter is as follows:
LETTER OF GEN. LEE.
LEXINGTON, Va, July 8, 1S66.-MY DEAR
SIR: was truly glad to receive your friend
ly letter after so many years of silence and
separation, and 1 rejoice to read in it the ex-
preston of the same feelings of kindness
and friendship that characterized our inter-
| IN, 70 T hoe
feelings are cordially reciprocated by Mrs.
Lee and myself, and we shall never forget
the numerous kind acts extended to us by
you during our sojourn at the West.
Your letter deserved and would have re-
ceived an earlier answer, but when 1t reach
ed. me 1 was engaged in the annual exami-
nation exercises at Washington College,
which continued over three weeks, and since
their termination have been continuously
occupied in business relating to the instftu-
ton.
1 must give you my special thanks for do
ing me the justice to believe that my conduct
during the last five eventful years has been
governed by my sense of duty. 1 had no
ether guide, nor had any other object than
the defense of those principles of American
liberty upon which the constitutions of the
several States and of the United States were
originally founded, and unless they are
strictly observed fear there will be an end
to republican government in this country.
1 concur with you in opinion as to the pro-
priety and duty of all persons uniting, in
the present posture of affairs, for the
restoration and reconciliation of the coun-
try. 1 have endeavsred to pursue this
course myself since the cessation of HOSTILE
ties, and have recommended it to others
Solar as my knowledge extends there is nc
opposition at the South to the General Gov
eminent. Every one approves of the policy
of Preside.t johnson, gives him his cordia
support, and would, l believe, confer or
him the Presidency for another term if il
was in his power. do not know what more
you desire, and even if 1 possessed the in
fluence you attribute to me, how could ex.
ercise it as / have. But / have no influence
and do not feel at liberty to take more &C.
tive part in public affairs than 1 have done
The whole attention of the South is con.
fined to their private business. They have
no influence in the regulation of public af
fairs, and whatever is done must be accom-
plished by those who control the country
You and your friends at the North are the
only persons who can exercise beneficial
influence.
l hope the long years which have passed
since we met have brought you nothing bu
prosperity and happiness, and that the flu
ture may give you tranquility and peace.
am, with great regard, your friend anC
servant, r. E. LEE.