Lexington VA: 23 Decr 1868

My dear Mr Brown
I am very much obliged to you for your letter of the 12th & the kind intterest you have shown in my welfare. I approve highly of your views & especially your Cause, & feel satisfied that you will accomplish great good. I have considered Mr Furbers proposition, & though I believe that the establishment in Richmond by the Universal Life Insurance Compy of a branch office in the plan proposed, will be attended with much benefit. I do not think I am the proper person for the position of Managing Director. The secure investment of the funds accruing from the Southern business, in the present condition of our affairs seems to me would be attended with great trouble, & should be managed with great care. In my present position I fear I should not have time, even if I possessed the ability to conduct it. Life Insurance truusts I consider sacred. To hazard the property of the dead & to lose the scanty earnings of fathers & husbands, who have toiled & saved that they may (page 2) leave something to their families deprived of their care & the support of their labour, is to my mind the worst of crimes. I could not undertake such a charge unless I could see & feel that I could faithfully execute it - I have therefore felt constrained after deliberation to decline the proposition of Mr Furber - I trust that the compy may select some better man for the position, for I think in proper hands it would accomplish good -
For your interest in my behalf, & for Mr Lancasters kind consideration, I am very grateful - and with my thanks to both of you & to Mr Macfarlane for his kindness, to whom I must ask you to explain the reasons of my course,
I am very truly yours

R E Lee

Mr J. Wilcox Brown

Note: Envelope address as follows:
Mr J. Wicox Brown
Care of Lancaster & Co
Richmond
Virginia