Chantilly October 15. 1779
Dear Sir
Since I was favored with yours of August the 20th. which I fully answered by the return of post, I have not had the pleasure of a line from you. I now take the liberty of enclosing you by Colo. Loyeauté all the tickets that we had in the second class of the Continental lottery. Among these you will find the fortunate numbers of 91,315 & 89,638 which are 500 dollar prizes each; also 64,510 which is a thirty dollar prize. Let me now beg the favor of you to take out new tickets for me in the third class to the full amount of both these prizes of 500 dollars agreeable to the list sent in my letter of August the 7th. last past which list is herein again repeated to wit
R. H. Lee & Co Annie Lee & Co Mary Lee & Co Mary Lee in her own right Hannah Lee & Co Hannah Lee in her own right Nancy Lee & Co Nancy Lees former ticket continued Harriot Lee & Co Sally Lee & Co. | tickets 3 3 1 15 1 2 3 1 3 3 35 | dollars 90 90 30 450 30 60 90 30 90 90 1050 |
2 500 dollar prises is 1 thirty dollar prize Dr. Shippen Senr. for 20 dollars | dollars 1000 30 20 1050 |
With respect to the new numbers I am indifferent whether they be the same or new ones. Be pleased Sir to give the Tickets when taken out to Dr. Shippen the elder to be transmitted by some safe hand to me - In the meantime I will thank you for a copy of the Numbers by post directing your letter for me to the care of James Hunter esquire near Fredericksburg in Virginia - You have been so kind as already to undertake this business for me, therefore I need not now apologize for giving you the trouble - I hope you will soon have the Count DâEstaing at N. York & R. Island, and that by our joint aid we may remove our enemies from those strongholds - I think that Congress have by their treatment of Dr. Lee given a very instructive lesson to future Ministers - that zeal, ability, and integrity are qualities which they do not intend their servants shall practise without incurring their utmost displeasure. I must confess that I feel myself compelled to entertain a bad opinion of any man who will serve Congress while such sentiments are suffered to exist in that body. I rejoice with you Sir in the success of our cruise against the Jamaica fleet - What say now the most sagacious politicians who were for totally laying aside our Navy! This is of apiece with the rest of their wisdom, and their treatment of Dr. Lee & Deane shews their profound attachment to justice and detestation of Knavery - It will give me very great pleasure to hear that Mrs. Searle has benefitted by her trip to the seashore - I am dear Sir very sincerely
your friend and humble Servant.
Richard Henry Lee
Charles Roberta Autograph CollectionHaverford College Library
Printed in James Curtis Ballagh, The Letters of Richard Henry Lee, Volume 2, 1779 - 1794, pp. 162 - 64. Addressed to Searle "Member of Cong. at Philadelphia," and conveyed by Colonel Loyeauté.