{"product_id":"1848-fort-delaware-letter-to-robert-e-lee","title":"1848 Fort Delaware Letter To Robert E Lee","description":"\u003cp\u003e1848 FORT DELAWARE AUTOGRAPH LETTER TO ROBERT E. LEE \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePurportedly Written by John \"Jack\" Mackay – West Point Classmate and Close Friend of Robert E. Lee\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFort Delaware, July 18, 1848\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAmazing content \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOffered here is an exceptional four-page manuscript letter dated Fort Delaware, July 18, 1848, addressed directly to Robert E. Lee shortly after his celebrated service in the Mexican-American War.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe letter is purportedly written by John (\"Jack\") Mackay, a United States Army officer, West Point contemporary of Lee, and one of Lee's closest lifelong friends. Contemporary and historical sources document a long-standing friendship and correspondence between Mackay and Lee dating back to their cadet years.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHistorical Significance\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe letter opens:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Dear Lee\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eand discusses Lee's return to the United States following his distinguished Mexican War service. Mackay congratulates Lee on his achievements, comments on military promotion and professional advancement, and discusses conditions and engineering work at Fort Delaware.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eContent includes references to:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRobert E. Lee's return from Mexico\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMilitary promotions and Army service\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFort Delaware construction and improvement projects\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEngineering and island maintenance issues\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eContemporary political affairs\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePersonal friendship and professional respect between two career officers\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe manuscript offers a fascinating glimpse into the antebellum U.S. Army and the relationships among officers who would later become prominent figures in American history.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAttribution\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis letter is being sold as:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Purportedly written by John ('Jack') Mackay to Robert E. Lee.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe attribution is based upon:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Fort Delaware location and July 18, 1848 date.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eInternal content directed to \"Dear Lee.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHistorical documentation of correspondence between Robert E. Lee and John Mackay.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePencil notations present on the manuscript identifying it as a letter to Robert E. Lee.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo third-party authentication accompanies the letter, and buyers are encouraged to conduct their own research and obtain independent professional authentication if desired.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCondition\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFour manuscript pages.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOriginal folds as mailed\/stored.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eInk remains legible throughout.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAge toning, staining, and wear consistent with a mid-19th-century manuscript.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePencil archival notations from a prior owner or collector.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOverall attractive display condition for a document over 175 years old.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCollector Appeal\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn outstanding item for collectors of:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRobert E. Lee material\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMexican-American War history\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFort Delaware history\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eU.S. Army and West Point memorabilia\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e19th-century American manuscripts\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCivil War antecedent material\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eImportant Disclaimer\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis manuscript is offered as a historical document purportedly authored by John Mackay and addressed to Robert E. Lee. The seller makes no guarantee regarding authorship, signature authenticity, or historical conclusions. All prospective buyers should review photographs carefully and perform their own due diligence before purchase.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA scarce and highly desirable pre-Civil War military manuscript connecting Fort Delaware and the future General Robert E. Lee.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Signature Documents LLC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52300117246234,"sku":"EB-327186242116","price":3985.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2221\/0931\/files\/57_1e708e56-59f2-4d4c-bb35-972f73c5bfcc.jpg?v=1780155768","url":"https:\/\/princetonaudubonprints.com\/products\/1848-fort-delaware-letter-to-robert-e-lee","provider":"Signature Documents LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}