192 MATTHEW FONTAINE MAURY 



the Republic, so long was the happiness of the people 

 secure. I cannot, however, despair of it yet; I look 

 forward to better days, and trust that time and experi- 

 ence — the great teachers of men under the guidance of 

 our ever-merciful God — may save us from destruction, 

 and restore to us the bright hopes and prospects of the 

 past. The thought of abandoning the country, and all 

 that must be left in it, is abhorrent to my feelings, and I 

 prefer to struggle for its restoration, and share its fate 

 rather than to give up all as lost. I have a great ad- 

 miration for Mexico: the salubrity of its climate, the 

 fertility of its soil, and the magnificence of its scenery, 

 possess for me great charms ; but I still look with delight 

 upon the mountains of my native state. To remove 

 our people to a portion of Mexico which would be favor- 

 able to them would be a work of much difficulty. Did 

 they possess the means, and could the system of appren- 

 ticeship you suggest be established, the United States 

 government would, I think, certainly interfere; and, 

 under the circumstances, there would be difficulty in 

 persuading the free men to emigrate. Those citizens 

 who can leave the country, and others who may be com- 

 pelled to do so, will reap the fruits of your considerate 

 labors; but I shall be very sorry if your presence will 

 be lost to Virginia. She has now sore need of all her 

 sons, and can ill afford to lose you. I am very much 

 obliged to you for all you have done for us, and hope your 

 labors in the future may be as efficacious as in the past, 

 and that your separation from us may not be permanent. 

 Wishing you every prosperity and happiness, I am. 

 Most truly yours, R. E. Lee". 



Unfortunately, this advice from his friends did not 



