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- GLC#
- GLC01070
- Type
- Letters
- Date
- June 26, 1834
- Author/Creator
- Lee, Robert E., 1807-1870
- Title
- to John MacKay
- Place Written
- Hampton, Virginia
- Pagination
- 4 p. : Height: 25 cm, Width: 20 cm
- Language
- English
- Primary time period
- National Expansion and Reform, 1815-1860
- Sub-Era
- Age of Jackson
Written to his friend "Jack," in a lighthearted and comfortable manner. Lee arrived in Fort Monroe as an engineer in 1831 to improve works and build Fort Calhoun. Many of Lee and MacKay's mutual friends were there and Lee updates MacKay on their lives. He wishes MacKay could be there to enjoy "fine times." Lee mentions the ladies in the area, "As for the daughters of Eve, in this country they are framed in the very poetry of nature & would make your lips water & fingers tingle. They are beginning to assemble to put their beautiful limbs in this salt water . . . " Lee remarks briefly on people filling cabinet positions and closes by celebrating the death of the Marquis de Lafayette. Lee and MacKay became friends as cadets at West Point together. Lee's signature is cross-written on page 4 as part of the address leaf. Letter written at Fort Monroe
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