Richard Henry Lee to William Davies

I was honored at the same time with your two favors of October the 1st. 1781 & of Jany. 5th. 1782 - Nothing can be more obvious from reason and experience than that the surest way to procure speedy and honorable peace is to be well prepared for war. And this certain rule is at no time so strong as after great successes, which whilst they imbitter the mind of one of the parties, are too apt to throw apathy and neglect into the bosom of the other. I wish that we may conduct ourselves rightly upon this occasion. The last Assembly appears to have done what they could - if money can be borrowed, the great point of filling and furnishing our Line will depend chiefly upon the wisdom and vigor of the executive, supported by the fitness of the recruiting officers. Talents of a peculiar kind are found to be most successful in recruiting, and do you not think Sir that the European accompagnement of musick and money, with a suit of clothes for each recruit, would wonderfully promote success. Such numbers have been disappointed of their promised clothes, that all confidence is lost, and now nothing but the actual delivery of them will do. The times are productive of wonders, or else it would surprise that any jealous genius should be found to deny you the powers necessary for preservation of the constitution for fear that the constitution should be injured - for the same good reason these sprightly folks may discover the danger of giving powder and muskets to the soldiers least they should shoot themselves and the members of assembly! I am obliged to you Sir for the attention that you have been pleased to pay to the application for restoring our arms, and the payment of the money demanded for cartridge boxes. The last is not the only instance, where I have been concerned, of the attention of the Auditors - I commend them for their care of the public treasure - Where so much is trusted; great understanding, vigilance, integrity, firmness, and impartiality are necessary - It may be worth the while of these gentlemen to take care, at the same time that they carry the vessel of the state clear from Charybdis, that they do not wreck it upon Scylla - that ill-timed parsimony, or ill judged applications of the public money, may not destroy and discourage the necessary defences which can alone secure both public and treasure - I believe it is true that many low and lawless people have encouraged public expence without propriety, without necessity, and even for wicked purposes - but whilst it is highly proper to put an instant stop to such wrong doing, is it therefore right to deny an officer so highly trusted as the Lieutenant of a county the paltry privilege of charging the public with a few cartridge boxes when necessary, and for the making of cartridges, without which, defence against an invading enemy cannot be made? Where danger comes quickly on, does its business, and suddenly retires - the defence must be circumstanced accordingly; and if the government will not lodge arms and proper ammunition in the counties, it is absurd and vain to suppose that the country can be protected; if the commanding Officer of the county, and even councils of war, cannot direct such necessaries, at the public expence, as are deficient yet indispensable.

When I came here from Congress in 1779, I found the militia unarmed, and unwilling to make resistance against the depredations of the enemy that surrounded us, and that we were constantly exposed to. I applied with care and constancy to government until we were furnished with arms, powder and lead - it was necessary that the latter should be made into cartridges, and I procured it to be done - Since we have been armed, I have seen the militia repel the enemy with spirit and alacrity, so as to do honor to themselves, and to government. But now alas, we must fall into the old and too common contemptible imbecility - the government have taken away our arms, and the Auditors say, make cartridges or cartridge boxes at your peril, these are lawless doings and the public treasure shall not be applied to such vanities! We must therefore submit to rapine until some shall be sent here with powers to persuade the people that it is better to oppose an armed enemy, without arms on the part of the defendants, and that they are mistaken when they say that this is leading them to disgrace and ruin. The poor man who worked honestly upon the cartridges tells me that his claim was rejected with some marks of harshness - there is sometimes a grace in denying that is more agreeable than even the compliance of others - but in this case perhaps it was necessary to support dignity and correct troublesome applicants - And besides, great republicans are naturally proud - but then it used to be shewn to Kings and the slaves of Kings, not to fellow citizens? In April last, the Militia had exhausted their cartridges in an engagment with the enemy at Stratford Landing - I applied to the then governor for powder, lead, cartridge paper &c, he had none of either, but desired me to purchase - I did purchase powder & lead but no paper was to be bought - I furnished some of my own for which no charge is made, but I thought it reasonable that the man who made the cartridges should be paid - the more especially as his charge was so reasonable, that for many days work he would not have received, had his demand been paid, enough to buy a gill of whisky. But this it seems is unlawful and a squandering of the public treasure, so that if legislative wisdom gives not redress, we must be content with wishing for better times and better things. As for the cartridge boxes, I could have sent an affidavit or two to prove that we were desired by the board of war when at Williamsburg to get them made and that the public would pay for them, but I thought that for so small a matter, and for an article apparently necessary, the certificate of the county Lieutenant might give sufficient authenticity. I observe that the Act of May last respecting your office, directs that militia commissions shall come thro you - I have formerly represented to the two late governors, and I think that the same was done to you in some of my former letters, that blank commissions were much wanted in this county. It used to be the custom to lodge such with the county Lieutenant. if the same custom continues, and you have commissions prepared, be pleased to furnish me with some. There is a Lieutenant-Colo. Major, Captains & subs without commissions, that have for some time been nominated by the Court - Be so kind Sir as forward the inclosed packet by the first Messenger that goes Southward, and excuse me for the liberty I have taken to desire my friends there to send their letters for me to your care, trusting to your goodness that you will forward them quickly and safely as possible - We still rely upon your good offices for having our arms restored to us, and may I add, that the necessary services realy performed for the public, shall be paid to the honest men who have done them? I have the honor to be with great esteem and regard Sir your most obedient humble Servant.

your most obedient humble Servant.

Richard Henry Lee