The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-05-30
LETTER FROM ROBERT Il. LEE.
Written just Before the War and Never
Before Pubiighed.

Since the war II has pleased northern
writers to represent to the world and
to posterlty that General Lee was faint
hearted supporter of Virginia, and that he
entered into the war with great com
FUNCTIONS OF cor science. A similar Tibet
is on Stonewall Jackson In the lying
"Ballad Of Barbara Fritchie."
The subjoined letter has never been pub
lished. TeakIe Wallis read an extract
from II at the great Lee Memorial meet
ing In Baltimore just after General Lees
death. but the whole letter has never
been made public, and as a matter OF
justice l have permission TO print 1t. The
Woman's Memorial Edition Of The Times
Is the proper medium by which 10 convey
10 Virginia the truth. 1T was written TO
Annette, daughter OF Charles II. Carter,
Of Cedar Grove, Prince George county
Maryland, who afterward married Mr..
George III. Howard, and who was the sis.
ter of Mr. Bernard Carter, than whom the
Maryland bar has never produced an
ADLER lawyer. and Of Mrs. Governor Oden
bowie. of Maryland. Charles Carter was
the cousin of General Lee, hence the con-
ildential tone of the letter.
Yours respectfully
BRADLEY T. JOHNSTON.
Fort Mason, San Antonio L. o.,
January 10, 1861.
was very glad to learn from your let
ter of the weli-beng of all at Cedar
Groye and GoodwoOd. i think of the oc-
cupants of botn very often, and hope
some day 20 see them again. 1 may
have the opportunity soon, for If the
Union Is dissol, ed i shall return TO Nir-
ginia and share the fortune of my people.
But before so great a calamity befalls
the country, i hope all honorable means
Of maintaining the Constitution and the
equal rights of the people Will be first ex-
hauSted. Tell your father he must not
allow Maryland TO be tackled on 10 South
Carolina before the just demands of the
South have been fairly presented TO the
North. and rejected. Then, If the rights
guaranteed by the Constitution are de-
MED us, and the citizens of one portion
OF the country are granted privileges not
extended 10 the other, we can with a
clear conscience separate. i am for main
taining all our rights-not for abandoning
all for the sake of one-our national
rights liberty at home. and security
abroad; our lands. navy. forts dock
yards. arscnals. and institutions OF every
kind.
II VIII result In war. know fierce and
bloody war. But so will secession; for Il
Is revolution and war at last, ard cannot
10 otherwise, and We might as we'll look
at II In its true character.
There Is long message, Annette, for
your father, and grave one, which /
had not intended to put in my letter TO
you. but IL Is a subject upon which mys-
terious thoughts often turn: for as an
American citizen l prize my government
and country highly. and there Is no sacri-
flee l am not willing TO make for their
preservation, save that OF honor. trust
there Is wisdom and patriotism enough In
the country TO save them, for l cannot
anticipate so great a calamity TO the ma
ton az a dissolution OF the Union. -.
tSigned) X. II. LEE
To Annette Carter. daughter OF Charles
III. Carter, of Cedar Grove, Prince
George county, Nd.