Camp near Dobb’s ferry, July 15, 1781
Dear Sir:
The moving state in wch. the Army was, at the time your letter of the 12th. Ulto.1 came to hand. The junction of the Allied troops, which was upon the point of being formed; and a variety of matters which have occurred since that period, consequent of this junction rather than a disinclination to continue a correspondence the benefits of which have been in my favor must plead an excuse for my long silence. Unconscious of having given you just cause to change the favourable sentiments you have expressed for me. I could not suppose you had altered them, and as I never suffer reports, unsupported by proofs, to have weight in my Mind I know no reason why our correspondence should cease, or become less frequent than heretofore, excepting, on my part, that as our affairs became more perplexing and embarrassed the public claimed more of my attention and consequently left me less leisure for private endulgencies. That this has been the case in an eminent degree for some time past, a Gentleman as well acquainted with public affairs as you are, need not be told.
The distresses of Virginia I am but too well acquainted with; but the plan you have suggested as a relief for it, in my judgment is a greater proof of your unbounded confidence in me than it is that the means proposed would be found adequate to the end in view were it practicable to make the experiment; which, at present, is not; as there are insuperable obstacles to my removing from the immediate command of the combined troops; the reasons for this opinion I cannot entrust to paper; at all times liable to miscarriage, and peculiarly so of late.
I am fully perswaded however (and upon good Military principles) that the measures I have adopted will give more effectual and speedier relief to the State of Virginia than if I was to March thither with dictatorial power at the head of every Man I could draw from hence without leaving the important posts on the North river quite defenceless, and these States open to devastation and ravage. When I say this I would be understood to mean, if I am properly supported (and I have asked no extraordinary succours) by the States Eastward of Jersey, inclusive. My present operation and which I have been preparing for with all the zeal and activity in my power, will, I am morally certain If I am properly supported produce one of two things, the fall of New York, or a withdraw of the Troops from Virginia; excepting a Garrison at Portsmouth, at which place I have no doubt of the enemys intention to establish a permanent post. A Long land March, in which we never failed to dissipate half our Men. the difficulty, and expence of transportation, and other reasons not less powerful but wch. I dare not commit to writing, decided me in my present plan, and my hopes, I trust, will not be disappointed.
In half an hours conversation I could, I flatter myself, convince you of the utility of my measures; but as I have before observed, I dare not attempt it by letter, because I have already had two or three important ones intercepted in the Mails the sight of which I am perswaded occasioned the retrograde movemts. of Lord Cornwallis, and will be the means of bringing part of his force to New York. to the accomplishment of one part of my plan.
The fatal policy of short enlistments (the primary cause of all our misfortunes; the prolongation of the War; and the source of the immense debt under which we labour) is now shedding its baneful influence upon our measures and I am laboring under all the disadvantages and evils which result from them and the want of Men. It can be no News to tell you, that by the expiration of the terms of enlistment I was left last Winter with a force so much reduced as to be scarcely able to garrison West point; but it may be News, and is not less true than surprising to you, to hear that not half the Men which were required to be with the Army, as recruits for the Continental Battens., by the first day of Jany., last are yet arrived; and of those asked by me from the Militia, not one is come.
But a few words more and I will put an end to this long letter No endeavour of mine has been wanting to obtain a superiour naval force in these Seas, nor to employ that which we have, to valuable purposes; how far I have succeeded in the latter is but too obvious; how far I may see my wishes accomplished in the former, time must discover.
with great esteem etc.2
1 "Although our correspondence has been long interrupted, I hope that our friendship never will, notwithstanding the arts of wicked men who have endeavored to create discord and dissension among the friends of America. For myself, having little but my good wishes to send you, it was not worth while to take up your attention a moment with them. The contents of this letter will I am sure require no apology, because you always approve that zeal which is employed in the public service, and has for its object the public good. . . . It would be a thing for angels to weep over, if the goodly fabric of human freedom, which you have so well labored to rear, should in one unlucky moment be levelled with the dust. There is nothing I think more certain, than that your personal call would bring into immediate exertion the force and the resources of this State and its neighboring ones, which directed as it would be will effectually disappoint and baffle the deep laid schemes of the enemy." - Richard Henry Lee to Washington, Chantilly, June 12, 1781.
In this letter Lee inclosed a copy of one which he had written to James Lovell, Theodorick Bland, and Joseph Jones, in Congress, in which he proposed that Washington should "be immediately sent to Virginia, with 2 or 3000 good Troops. Let Congress, as the head of the federal union, in this crisis, direct that until the Legislature can convene and a Governor be appointed, the General be possessed of Dictatorial powers, and that it be strongly recommended to the Assembly when convened to continue those powers for 6.8 or 10 months: as the case may be. And the General may be desired instantly on his arrival in Virginia to summon the members of both houses to meet where he shall appoint, to organize and resettle their Government." These letters are in the Washington Papers.
2 This draft is indorsed by Washington, with the following note: "In copying the inclosed some sentences were transposed, and alterations and corrections made in the direction which time did not allow me to make in this due sentiments however were the same."