Virginia 4th February 1775.
Discusses conditions in Virginia. Continues: "You have no doubt seen the speech to Parliament, and from thence may judge what our Ministerial enemies propose for us.
"A letter from London 6th of December says 'the present intention of the Ministry is to declare all meetings and associations in America illegal and treasonable - To guard the Coast against all Traffic and Communication with Holland, France, and Spain. To corrupt N. York, and to employ a military force, chiefly from Canada if necessary. Having their designs before you, your attention will be bent to defeat them with all earnestness which the greatest question in the world demands.'
"Added to this, I understand they propose to forfiet and confiscate all the estates of all those who meet, associate, or combine against the Commerce of Gt. Britain! Should such Acts pass, will it not be proper for all America to declare them essentially vile and void, and that whoever takes or claims any Estate so said to be forfieted, shall be deemed a public Enemy and that it shall be meretorious in any person to put such Claimant to death? This would probably deter, and defeat the wicked design. I find the Ministerial Manoeuvre of dissolving the Parliament, has, notwithstanding the timely warning of Junius, answered their purpose so far as to rest the matter now on the firmness of our own virtue, or on the general exertion of the people of England. Tho’ the latter should fail us, I hope the former will be immovable."
Concludes with plea for news from Massachusetts.
Receiver’s copy, New York Public Library. Richard Henry Lee, The Letters of Richard Henry Lee, ed. James C. Ballagh, 2 vols. (New York: Macmillan Co., 1911 - 14), 1:127 - 30.