Lexington VA: 22 July 1869 
My dear Dr 
I enclose you a letter recd this mng from Mr Hugh Blain Grigsby, for the purpose of stating my concurrence in his opinions, for the reasons given by him & others that he did not mention, that you are the fittest person to write the history of Washington College. Such a history as he suggests is the kind that I desire to see written, & the only kind that will answer the purpose that I have had in vew, & which as you must have known from the first, I desire you to write. You have the interest of the College at heart; you are acquainted with its early history, its members, faculty etc, & I hope that you will undertake the work as early as practicable. A discourse from Mr Grigsby will be well enough, but as he truly says however well it may be accomplished, it will not be sufficient 
Please after perusal return me the letter 
Very truly yours 
R E Lee 
Revd Wm H. Ruffner