Nathaniel Beverley Tucker to Robert E. Lee, 1865-07-11

Item — Box: 7, Folder: 5

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

This collection contains primary and secondary resources pertaining to Robert E. Lee and the Lee family. Included are correspondences from, to, and about Lee and various family members; memorabilia, pamphlets, photographs, reminiscences, miscellaneous personal papers, family history and genealogy. The collection includes materials acquired from the Lee family and items donated to and purchased and compiled by W&L University since Lee's tenure as president of Washington College from 1865 - 1870. Adminstrative papers, such as President's Reports, etc..., from Robert E. Lee's presidency of the school may be found within the W&L University Archives. Please contact W&L Special Collections for information regarding the University Archives.

Dates

Creation: 1865-07-11

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use.

Extent

From the Collection: 24 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

General

Beverley Tucker, who was charged as a conspirator in the assassination plot on President Lincoln, sent this letter secretly to Robert E. Lee from Montreal, Canada. The letter explains that if the Civil War’s history is left to be written by the “historians which will spring up in Yankeedom” it will not properly and honestly explain the South’s cause. He therefore suggests that Robert E. Lee join him in Canada and then sail to England with him, where Lee can write a history of the war, the “sale of which will secure for a you a handsome independence.”