Philadelphia Novr. 29th. 1775
Dear Sir,
This Letter I hope will find you perfectly recover’d from your Virginia fever, & the fatigues of the Voyage. I have not been in Virga. since we parted, & have not been able to hear any thing of your affairs. While the present distractions continue you will not expect I dare say to receive much in the remittance way, however I have written to Esqr. Lee to push your principal creditors, & remit what he can get from them. I have paid Doctor Fauntleroys acct here, for which I have drawn on Mr. Lee. As the difference between the Ministry & America is not likely soon to be settled, I suppose the price of tobo. will be high in London this winter, by which means you will make a saving voyage. If you can find an opportunity, shall be glad to receive acct. sales & acct. current. Is it high treason to correspond upon mercantile business?1 Poor old England how is it degradedl You will see the news in the public papers. Mrs. Lee joins me in wishing you & our friends on Tower Hill, health & happiness.2
Francis Light. Lee
Receiver’s copy, Virginia Historical Society.
1 An allusion to the king’s proclamation of August 23, 1775, forbidding correspondence with those in rebellion in North America. Am. Archives, 4th ser. 3:240 - 1.
2 For the continuation of this letter, see Lee to a Friend in London, December 11, 1775,