ALS signed “R. E. Lee,” one page both sides, 5 x 8, May 15, 1867. Addressed to Professor Socrates Maupin, a handwritten letter from Robert E. Lee as president of Washington College in Lexington, Virginia, in part: "I have been informed by the…Educational Association of VA that you, Genl Smith, & myself were appointed at their last meeting the Committee on ‘School Discipline.’ In the uncertainty of what was desired, upon consultation with Genl Smith, the accomp paper has been prepared, which is submitted to you for such suggestions, alterations, or substitution, as you may think best; & I beg that you will exercise the fullest latitude of judgment in the matter. Genl Smith is now absent. I have thought it prudent to attach my signature to the report even in its unfinished state. When prepared for presentation the signatures of the whole committee can be affixed. With my kindest regards to yourself & all your Faculty.” In fine condition.
On December 31, 1866, the Educational Association of Virginia appointed General Lee as Chairman of the Committee on ‘School Discipline,’ and requested he and his fellow committeemen to report at length at the next annual meeting of the Association in Lynchburg on July 3, 1867. On the same day he sent the offered letter, Lee wrote a draft for the opening speech, a portion of which is as follows: ‘The Committee appointed by the Educational Association of Virginia on ‘school discipline’ beg leave to report, that in their opinion it is impracticable to establish fixed rules for school government. Public sentiment is so divided on the subject, & the methods of family training are so varied, that no uniform system can be well adapted to meet the general requirement. If the subject of education could be of more importance at one period of our history than at another, that period is the present, & that it may be advanced to the highest state of efficiency, it is important that general cooperation be enlisted in its support. It is therefore considered more advantageous to recommend for attention some general principles, & leave their application to the judgment & direction of teachers.’
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