Philadelphia 10 May 1775
Dear Brother
I am exceedingly pressed with business and therefore must be short, and for this time mix politics with business of a private nature. The Virga. Delegates arived here yesterday where they find all those from the Southward of this, with the Deputies from N. Hamshire. In an hour all from the Colonies north of this will be here and then the Congress will be opened. There never appeared more perfect unanimity among any sett of Men than among the Delegates, and indeed all the old Provinces, not one excepted, are directed by the same firmness of union, and determination to resist by all ways and to every extremity. The Province of N. York is at last alarmed.1 The Tory Ministerial faction are driven from their influence and virtuous patriotism taken place. The shameful defeat of General Gages Troops near Boston (after a wanton and cruel Attack on unarmed people, after they had brutally killed Old Men, Women, & Children) has rivitted such union, roused such a universal Military spirit thro out all the Colonies, and excited such universal resentment against this Savage Ministry and their detestable Agents, that now no doubt remains of their destruction with the establishment of American Rights. 800 of the Regulars commanded by a Colo. Smith was defeated by 600 provincials hastily gathered together—Altho tis agreed the Colo. personally behaved with the true spirit of a good Soldier. These 800 were afterwards supported by 1200 under command of Ld. Piercy, but the whole were compelled (upon a reenforcement coming up to the Provincials) to retreat to Boston having had several Men killed, wounded, and taken prisoners. The Provincials are since increased to 20,000 and lay now encamped before Boston. All communication is cut off between Town & Country. The Troops, by way of insult, marched first out of Town to the tune of Yankey doodle, and some time after fired unprovoked upon some people who were exercising, as they told the Regulars for amusement without having any ammunition with them. This is the most authentic account we have here of this business. The Connecticut people with the N. Yorkers are pre paring to prevent any bad designs of the Troops coming to the latter place.
I expect Capt. Brown will soon be loaded, as he has Toba[cco] enough ready. You will please insure for Colo. George Mason one hundred hogsheads in the Adventure to recover £ 10. sterling in case of loss. 22 hhds of Colo. P. L. Leeâs estate & 5 of mine at what you judge proper. The proceeds of these 22 hhds are to be applied to the use of our brother Doctor Lee. 15 of them are Top stemâd heavy hhds. So that you may advance the Doctor at least 200 Guineas on the whole. Mr. Willings Tobaccoâs were all engaged another way before your application. Loudon [Francis L. Lee] & Mr. Brown will take care of yr. Virga business. The Doctors family here send their love.
Farewell
Richard Henry Lee
Receiverâs copy, Virginia Historical Society.
1 New Yorkâs vacillation had been a matter of concern since the assembly had refused in January to endorse the work of the First Congress. The change in New York sentiment, which was commented upon by several of the delegates as they reassemblcd in Philadelphia, had already been communicated to Virginia, where the following "extract of a letter from one of the Virginia Delegates, on his way to the Congress, dated Tuesday evening last," was printed in the Virginia Gazette (Purdie), May 5, 1775. "The storm thickens fast. The New Yorkers have received intelligence that their town is to be fortified, and 14 regiments sent there, to cut off the communication between the southern and eastern colonies. This has united them, to a man, in the American cause. They are forming themselves, and beg assistance from the southward. This comes from the Philadelphia committee. The Bostonians have given a good drubbing to 2000 regulars."