Maltby House

 

  1. B. Miller, Proprietor.

 

                                                            Baltimore, March 14th 1866

Dear Gen:

            As I do not expect to see you very soon I enclose to you the card of Mrs. Newcomb – the wife of the gentleman who made us the handsome donation of ten thousand dollars

            I take the opportunity of communicating to you a message of kind remembrances from Mrs James Robb now of N York, who has a warm Southern heart & like all our Southern women a sincere admiration for you   I had promised her a likeness of you on a carte –viste with your autograph   She said she would prefer receiving it from you.  I enclose one which I had gotten up here & which I think rather better than any other that I have seen of you – Should like to have to opinion of your family upon it.  If you have one that you think better please let Mrs Robb have it & oblige me also with a copy

            I am also charged with a message from Hon. E. M. Bruce with whom I am in negotiation for a subscription he wished me to say to you that he intended to do something to aid you in your enterprise & wished to do liberally & he thought of making you a visit at Lexington.  He seemed sincere to hear more of your views in reference to the College

            Any communication for any these parties sent to me at Staunton – where I expect to be the next week I will take great pleasure in forwarding

            Judge Brockenbrough can give you some details about my visit to New York.

            The entire preoccupation of all hearts & hands here with the great “Relief Fair” precludes me from doing anything just now.  I leave today for Washington where I expect to spend a few days before going home – Such arrangements having been made as renders it in my judgment – inexpedient – for me to visit Kentucky   I am at a loss what course to pursue in the future.  Nothing remains for me in this country as far as I can see but to complete, at a foreseeable time, what I have begun here & in New York – Many  both here and there advise me strongly to go to Liverpool & London but as it will involve a great deal of expense & will not take the responsibility of the mission without instructions from Lexington, I think of coming to Lexington from Staunton

            With kindest regards to Mrs Lee & my best wishes for your success & happiness

                                                                        I am yours most truly

 

                                                                                    S. D. Stuart

 

Notation on first page in General Lee’s handwriting:

Revd S. D. Stuart   .