Chantilly in Virginia April 7th 1775
Sir,
Various unexpected prorogations of our Assembly having prevented this Colony from taking up the consideration of the proceedings of the Continental Congress until the 20th of last month, I have now the pleasure of inclosing you the proceedings of our Convention on that and other subjects relative to our unhappy dispute with the British Ministry.1
You may gather from hence Sir, how determined a spirit prevails here, to resist the unjust aggression offered us. For my own part, I could not approve of thanking the Governor for conducting war against an unhappy people, forced into hostilities, as I verily believe, by our own people. I was not in convention when this was agreed to. The inclosed printed tickets shew what use is made of the name of Majesty in these days!2 On the 10th of March we are told that Lord Dartmouth has informed the Agents of his Majesties gracious reception of the Congress petition, and on the 30th of the same month, that the meeting of this very Congress is "highly displeasing to his Majesty."
Must the Publick credit Lord Dartmouth, or Lord Dunmore, for it would seem that both cannot be right? I hope to have the pleasure of seeing you in Philadelphia soon, in the mean time, I beg leave to assure you that
I am with great respect and esteem Sir Your most obedient and very humble servant.
Richard Henry Lee
Receiver’s copy, Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Although unidentified, the recipient has been conjectured from the fact that Lee’s letter is among Dickinson’s papers in the R. R. Logan Collection.
1 The proceedings of this Virginia convention are printed in Am. Archives, 4th ser. 2:165 - 72.
2 Not found.