Philada
March 12/66
Gen.
Robert E. Lee
Prest of Washington College, Va
On
Saturday last I forwarded from Newark, Delaware Six Boxes of Books marked
as follows. (Via Washington & Gordonsville)
Washington College
Lexington,
Va
Care
of Mr Edward Echols
Lynchburg, Virginia.
They are part of a Library left by my late Brother Thomas B. Wilson;
which I desire to present to your Institution, and comprise works on various
subjects. I think it will be a valuable addition to your collection.
You will please accept them as a slight evidence of my sincere desire for
the success of Washington College.
In the course of a few months I hope to have ready to forward to you,
three to four hundred vols more, to add to the donation.
The only condition I request is that proper care be taken of them and
that it be called “The Wilson Contribution to the Library of Washington
College,” in honor of my lamented Brother:
I have left his Book plate in them to distinguish them from other
volumes.
I have also placed in one of the Boxes a memoir of his life and character
issued by one of the societies of which he was a member.
Should there be any delay or error in the receipt of the proper No. of
Boxes, please advise me.
with much respect
I am yours etc
Rathmell Wilson
919 Clinton Street
Notation
on reverse in General Lee’s handwriting:
12 March ‘66
Rathmell
Wilson
Sends
six boxes of
Books
– Says three
or
four hundred more
Vols:
will be forw-
ed
Ansd
26 March