Philadelphia 29th June 1775
Dear Sir,
Nothing material has occurred since you left this place, except the imperfect accounts we have of the Charleston battle, which upon the whole seems to have nothing unfavorable to our great cause, but the loss of Dr. Warren. To an infant Country, it is loss indeed, to be deprived of wise, virtuous, and brave Citizens. I hope however, still to hear, that our Enemies have lost Characters very useful to them. We received the account of this engagement late on Saturday evening last, and a few of us immediately applied to, and prevailed with the Committee of this City, to dispatch 90 odd quarter Casks of powder to the Camp, which I hope will arrive safe and in good time.
We are this day informed in Congress that the six Nations and Canada Indians are firmly disposed to observe a strick neutrality, and I think we shall endeavor to cultivate their friendship. The Congress has been engaged these two days about the mutiny and military regulations, and at last we shall adopt those of Massachusetts with very few alterations.1 You will see that we have again taken up the business of entering Canada, and have left the propriety of it to Gener. Schuyler. If it can be done, in a manner agreeable to the Canadians, it will certainly shut the door against dangerous tampering with the Indians on all our Western frontiers. Nothing has yet been done about a Military Hospital,2 and I suppose we shall wait for your return of the state of the Army. Dr. Shippen says that threeyoung Gentlemen here perfectly compitent, will be ready when called on, to serve in the capacity of Surgeons.
I have only to assure you, that it will always make me happy to hear from you,
and that I am, with great regard, dear Sir, Your Affect. and obedient servant.
Richard Henry Lee
Receiver’s copy, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
1 See JCC, 2:111 - 22.
2 A committee "to report the method of establishing an hospital" was not appointed until July 19. Congress approved the establishment of a hospital and elected Benjamin Church director and chief physician on July 27. JCC, 2:191, 209 - 11.