Philadelphia March 19. 1776My dear Col.
Before this I suppose you have recd. a Copy of common sense which I sent you some time ago; if not, I now send a parcel to Col. Tayloe of whome you may have one.
Our late King & his Parliament having declared us Rebels & Enemies, confiscated our property, as far as they were likely to lay hands on it; have effectually decided the question for us, whether or no we shou’d be independant. All we have now to do, is to endeavour to reconcile ourselves to the state, it has pleased Providence to put us into; and indeed upon taking a near & full look at the thing, it does not frighten so much, as when view’d at a distance. I cant think we shall be injured by having a free trade to all the world, instead of its being confined to one place, whose riches might allways be used to our ruin. Nor does it appear to me that we shall suffer any disadvantage, by having our Legislatures uncontrouled by a power so far removed for us, that our circumstances cant be known; whose interest is often directly contrary to ours; and over which we have no manner of controul. Indeed great part of that power being at present lodged in the hands of a most gracious Prince, whose tender mercies we have often experienced; it must wring the heart of all good men to part; but I hope we shall have christian fortitude enough to bear with patience, & even chearfullness the decrees of a really most gracious King. The danger of Anarchy & confusion, I think altogether chimerical, the good behaviour of the Americans with no Government at all proves them very capable of good Government. But my dear Col, I am so fond of peace that I wish to see an end of these distractions upon terms that will secure America from future outrages, but from all our intelligence I really despair. There is such an invetiracy in the - - & his advisers, that we need not expect any other alternative, than slavery or seperation. Is it not prudent therefore, to fit our minds to the state that is inevitable. Virginia it seems is consider’d at home, as most liable to deception & seduction; & therefore the Commissioners are to bend their cheif force that way, backed by a considerable detachment of the Army. I hope it will turn to the honor of my Country as it will afford an opportunity of shewing their Virtue & good sense. Col. Tayloe has the news. I wrote yesterday to my friend Col. R. Carter by the post2 letting him know that Genl. Lee, who has the Southern command, was furnished with the two aid de Camps paid by Congress, before my application; but agreed to take your Grandson, as a supernumerary Aid he bearing his own expences. If this is agreeable you will perhaps see the Genl. as he had some thots of passing thro’ Richmond. Best respects to Sabine Hall.
Adieu my dear friend.
Francis Lightfoot Lee
Receiver’s copy, Harvard University Libraries.
1 On this day also Richard Henry Lee wrote from Philadelphia to John Page: "It gives me pleasure to find the mutinous spirit of our Soldiery so well subdued, and I hope the character and weight of our General Officers will prevent the like irregularities for the future. As the putrid fever rages so much in the Norfolk fleet, ’tis pity but Dunmore and his people could be forced into their Ships to partake the ruin of that distemper I hope and wish that both the Committee of Safety and Convention would immediately establish public works for making common Salt. We have no Chance for importation, and the want of this Necessary will produce universal riot and convulsion I find it gives concern in our Country that the Continentall Troops are not under Colonial direction." Extract of autograph letter signed, printed in The Collector 61 (August 1948): item M1586.
2 Not found, but see Francis Lightfoot Lee to Landon Carter, February 12, 1776, note 1.