COL. LEE AND HIS SLAVES

To the Editor of The N. Y. Tribune.

Sir: I perceive in your paper of this morning a malicious attack, by and anonymous writer, upon Col. Robert E. Lee of the United States Army, and his deceased father-in-law, the late G. W. P. Custis of Arlington. I am so well acquainted with Col. Lee and his estimable family, and of the condition of matters at Arlington in relation to the slaves, that, without hesitation, I pronounce the whole story a malicious fabrication by some personal enemy of Col. Lee. He asserts, what is not true, that Mr. Custis set his slaves free at his death, and thus complains that he has “inquired concerning the will, but could get no satisfaction.” What right has he or any other man to inquire into the private affairs of another? It is a piece of impudence which every right-minded man ought to rebuke. Not for the benefit of the slanderer, but to show the groundlessness of his attack. I will state, that the will of Mr. Custis may be seen at the proper record office at Alexandria, and that it provides for the manumission of his slaves, five years after his death. He died in October, 1857.

I will venture to suggest that the writer who signs his production “A Citizen” is one of the meddling scoundrels, who immediately after Mr. Custis’s death, went over from Washington city and tried to induce the negroes upon Arlington estate to run away, falsely telling them that they were all free. I am no advocate for Slavery in any form, and have no other interest in noticing this matter than that which every man ought to feel in exposing concealed assassins of character, and in defending the reputation of an accomplished gentleman and estimable man like Col. Lee.

JUSTICE