Richard Henry Lee to Arthur Lee

It is now something more than two months since my ill state of health compelled me to leave Congress for a rime. Being pretty well recovered, I shall return to Congress in a fortnight. Since my being in Virginia I have interested myself so effectually in behalf of dons; de Loyeauté that he is appointed Inspector General of the Artillery and Fortifications of this State. He is an able young Officer and very capable of doing Virginia great service and himself much honor. To answer these purposes effectually, something that we have not is necessary. Various kinds of military Stores are indispensable - A good Founder is wanted, and an expert Armorer. To obtain these, Monsr. Loyeauté and myself did here contrive the following plan, which is sent to the Governor and Council for their adoption if they approve it. A proper fund for the payment of what these things shall cost is to be lodged in France, Monsr. Le Maire an intelligence French Officer is to be sent immediately to France with letters from the Governor & myself to you, and from General Loyeauté to his Father who is a Lieutenant General in the French Army and an Inspector General of the Artillery - The design of this is to be able to obtain leave to purchase from the royal Arsenals such Stores as we want and such as are really good in their kind. Having obtained these Monsr. Le Maire is with secrecy and celerity to transport them hither in an armed Cutter. That he may be able to land in our Eastern Shore or in North Carolina he is to take a good Coast Pilot out with him. You will I am sure give this plan all the success in your power if it should be adopted, because I assure you it is quite necessary for our proper defense. Mong Loyeauté recommends Monsr. Le Maire strongly to me and I can rely on the judgment and integrity of the former. So I hesitate not to recommend Monsr. Le Maire and his business strongly to you. The sooner he returns the better. since we cannot tell how soon the war may be transported to this Commonwealth It may be very well to get acquainted with Monsr. Loyeauté’s father in France, because cooperation may benefit us. Since I left Congress they have received abundant reason to suppose that General Burgoyne does not intend to observe the Convention of Saratoga, in consequence of which, Congress has ordered that Genl. Burgoyne & all his Army shall be detained prisoners of War until the Court of London shall ratify the Convention of Saratoga. Our enemies no doubt will endeavor to persuade the world that this is a act of perfidy, but the propriety of the measure will be evident to all who are acquainted with the reasons that our enemies themselves have furnished. We receive at this place but imperfect intelligence, being removed from the Post Road, and out of the way of much company - But the last time I heard from the Army, Gen. Washington was placed about 17 miles from Philadelphia in which the enemy were, and where they suffered a good deal for most kinds of provisions and forage, the American Army being so placed as to prevent them from getting supplies of this kind. We are preparing for an early and vigorous Campaign. I hope this year the Cort of London will have other force to contend with besides North America.

My love to the Alderman his Lady & my Boys farewell.

Let me hear often from you.

Richard Henry Lee