Richard Henry Lee to Edmund Randolph

The letter that your Excellency did me the honor to write me on the 23d. instant I received this day, and I assure you that it is with much regret I find myself compelled to decline accepting the honorable Office to which I have been appointed

The circumstances of my health Sir will not permit me to think of going northward sooner than the middle of June, and then, if I am more than convalescent, my appointment to Congress will carry me to that Assembly. There are so many gentlemen of good hearts and sound heads appointed to the Convention, at Philadelphia, that I feel a disposition to repose with confidence in their determinations.

Be so kind Sir as present me most respectfully to the Honorable Council and assign the reasons to them that I have given for requesting to be excused from going to the Convention. I have the honor to be, with sentiments of the highest regard and esteem Sir

your Excellencies most obedient & very humble servant.

Richard Henry Lee