Lee Letter About Slavery

Fort Brown, Texas, 27 December 1856
Nothing has occurred dearest Mary, since my letter of the 20th worthy of relating, except the arrival on the 24th of the
Steamer from New Orleans, bringing full files of papers & general intelligence from the “States”. I have enjoyed the
former very much, & in the absence of particular intelligence, for my letters of Course have all taken the other direction,
have pursued with much interest the series of the Alexandria Gazette from the 20 Nov to 8 Decr. inclusive. Besides the
usual good general reading matter, I was interested in the relation of local affairs, & inferred from the quiet & ordinary
Course of events, that all in the neighborhood was going on well. I trust it may be so, & that you & particularly all at
Arlington & our friends elsewhere are well.
The steamer also brought the Presidents message to Cong:, & the reports of the various heads of Depts; the
proceedings of Cong: &c &c, So that we are now assured, that the Govt: is in operation, & the Union in existence, not that
we had any fears to the contrary, but it is satisfactory always to have facts to go on.
They restrain supposition & Conjecture, Confirm faith & bring Contentment. I was much pleased with the
Presidents message & the report of the Secr of War, the only two documents that have reached us entire. Of the others
synopsis have only arrived. The views of the Pres: of the systematic & progressive efforts of certain people of the North, to
interfere with & change the domestic institutions of the South, are truthfully & faithfully expressed. The consequences of
their plans & purposes are also clearly Set forth, & they must also be aware, that their object is both unlawful & entirely
foreign to them, their duty; for which they are irresponsible & unaccountable; & Can only be accomplished by them
through the agency of a civil & servile war. In this enlightened age, there are few I believe, but what will
acknowledge, that slavery as an institution is a moral & political evil in any Country. It is
useless to expatiate on its disadvantages. I think it however a greater evil to the white than to
the black race, & while my feelings are strongly interested in behalf of the latter, my
sympathies are more strong for the former. The blacks are immeasurably better off here than in
Africa, morally, socially & physically. The painful discipline they are undergoing, is necessary
for their instruction as a race, & I hope will prepare & lead them to better things. How long their
subjugation may be necessary is Known & ordered by a wise & merciful Providence. Their emancipation will sooner result
from the mild & melting influence of Christianity, than the storms & tempests of fiery Controversy. This influence though
slow is sure. The doctrines & miracles of our Saviour have required nearly two thousand years to Convert but a small part
of the human race, & even Christian nations, what gross errors still exist! While we see the Course of the final abolition of
human slavery is onward, & we give it the aid of our prayers & all justifiable means in our power we must leave the
progress as well as the result in his hands who Sees the end; who Chooses to work by slow influences ; & with whom two
thousand years are but a single day. Although the abolitionist must Know this; & must see that he has
neither the right or power of operating except by moral means & suasion, & if he means well to
the slave, he must not create angry feelings in the master; that although he may not approve
the mode by which it pleases Providence to accomplish its purposes, the result will
nevertheless be the same: that the reasons he gives for interference in what he has no
Concern, holds good for every Kind of interference with our neighbours when we disapprove
their Conduct; Still I fear he will persevere in his evil Course. Is it not strange that the
descendants of those pilgrim fathers who crossed the Atlantic to preserve their own freedom
of opinion, have always proved themselves intolerant of the spiritual liberty of others.
Although the Steamer brought us much general news, it brought no intelligence of, or from, our absent intrusses.
The Court therefore at its meeting yesterday, adjourned for another week, 2 Jany ’57. I wish I Could see that this great
delay in accomplishing what I think might have been finished while at Ringgold, was right, it would not then be so irksome
to me. But I cannot help it. I must therefore hope that it is right & be Content. I have not yet heard from San Antonio &
therefore have heard nothing from you. Two or perhaps three weeks must yet elapse, before I can expect a response. This is
very grievous, but must be borne too. I hope you all had a joyous Xmas at Arlington & that it may be long & often
reported! I thought of you all & wished to be with you. Mine was gratefully but silently passed. I endeavoured to find
Some little presents for the children in the Garrison to add to their amusement & succeeded better than I anticipated. The
stores are very barren of such things here, but by taking the week before hand, in my daily walks, I pick up little by little
something for all. Tell Mildred I got a beautiful Dutch doll for little Emma Jones. One of these crying babies, that can open
& shut their eyes, turn their head &c &c. For the two other little girls Puss Sibly,[1] & Mary Seawell, I found handsome
french teapots to match cups given them by Mrs. Waite. Then by means of Knives & hooks, I satisfied the boys. After
disposing of my presents I went to Church. The Congregation was very respectable & Mr Passmores discourse was on the
subject of the birth of our savior. It was not simply or touchingly told as it is in the bible. By previous invitation Major
Thomas & I dined with him at 2 P.M. on roast turkey & Plumb pudding. He & his wife were alone. I had provided a pretty
singing bird for their little girl, & passed the afternoon in my room. Give much love to all the Children your father & all
friends. God bless you all!
Truly yours
R E Lee

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Fort Brown, Texas, 27 December 1856

Arlington & our friends elsewhere are well.

friends. God bless you all!

Truly yours

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