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This collection consists largely of constituent correspondence relating to Shenandoah Valley local politics, land transactions, and railroads. Included are letters from Congressman John Letcher and his assessments of the contemporary political scene, including congressional elections, Kansas migration, and railroads.

This collection includes a letter, December 12, 1845, to Virginia Congressman William Taylor concerning a federal appointment; a letter from Alexander H.H. Stuart, August 13, 1861; document, September 26, 1863, signed by Letcher exempting a slave from public works for the Confederate government; 3 letters to J. Hinholzer, November 3, 1864, December 3, 1864, and May 15, 1865; subscription list of a testimonial to Charles A. Davidson for service on behalf of the Conservative ticket.

This collection contains primary and secondary resources pertaining to Robert E. Lee and the Lee family. Included are correspondences from, to, and about Lee and various family members; memorabilia, pamphlets, photographs, reminiscences, miscellaneous personal papers, family history and genealogy. The collection includes materials acquired from the Lee family and items donated to and purchased and compiled by W&L University since Lee's tenure as president of Washington College from 1865 - 1870. Adminstrative papers, such as President's Reports, etc..., from Robert E. Lee's presidency of the school may be found within the W&L University Archives. Please contact W&L Special Collections for information regarding the University Archives.

Series 1 of this collection primarily covers the period from 1763 through Samuel McDowell Reid's death in 1869. There are also a few later items dealing chiefly with his estate. The bulk of the papers deals with business matters. Documents concern such matters as the James River and Kanawha Company, the North River Navigation Company, Washington College's relationship with the Society of the Cincinnati, slavery, and the financial dealings of John Robinson and the Hare family. Series 2 is comprised of a second set of materials received at a later date. The correspondence supplements that found in Series 1. The other materials consist chiefly of court and other legal records during the 74-year period (1778-1852) in which Andrew and his son, Samuel McDowell Reid, were clerks of the court of Rockbridge County: tavern licenses, taxation lists, apprenticeship deeds, voter lists, militia rolls, invoices, etc. There are also some Washington College papers.