loss. They cannot take away the remembrance of the spot, and the
memories of those that to us rendered it sacred. That will remain
to us as long as life will last, and that we can preserve. In the
absence of a home, I wish I could purchase 'Stratford.' That is the
only other place that I could go to, now accessible to us, that would
inspire me with feelings of pleasure and local love. You and the
girls could remain there in quiet. It is a poor place, but we could
make enough cornbread and bacon for our support, and the girls could
weave us clothes. I wonder if it is for sale and at how much. Ask
Fitzhugh to try to find out, when he gets to Fredericksburg. You must
not build your hopes on peace on account of the United States going
into a war with England [on account of the Trent affair]. She will
be very loath to do that, notwithstanding the bluster of the Northern
papers. Her rulers are not entirely mad, and if they find England is
in earnest, and that war or a restitution of their captives must be
the consequence, they will adopt the latter. We must make up our minds
to fight our battles and win our independence alone. No one will help
us. We require no extraneous aid, if true to ourselves. But we must
be patient. It is not a light achievement and cannot be accomplished
at once.... I wrote a few days since, giving you all the news, and
have now therefore nothing to relate. The enemy is still quiet and
increasing in strength. We grow in size slowly but are working hard.
I have had a day of labour instead of rest, and have written intervals
to some of the children. I hope they are with you, and inclose my
letters....

"Affectionately and truly,

"R. E. Lee."