Richard Henry Lee to Charles Lee

Since I wrote you last nothing of consequence hath happened, unless it be, that the Roebuck & Liverpoole coming up the river Delaware, were met a few miles above New Castle by the 13 Gondolas of this city, and after a cannonade of 3 hours each day for two successive days, the ships returned down the river, and the Gallies to their former Station - The latter unhurt, and the former repulsed after being pretty well pepper’d with shot from 18 to 32 pounders.¹ My friendship for you is so strong, and the sense I have of the obligations America is under to you so high, that I shall ever pray the liberty of being full and free on every subject that materially concerns you. I find a spirit prevailing here, which leads its possessors to regard with a jealous eye, every instance of deviation (in a military or naval Commander) from the line of instructions, and every undertaking productive of expense which is not warranted by express order of Congress. Thus animated, I find some Gentlemen expressing dissatisfaction at your having promised forage and rations to such Cavalry as might be assembled in Virginia, & likewise because of the boats you had ordered to be built for the security of the Rivers.² You know my friend that the spirit of liberty is a jealous spirit, and that Senators are not always wise and candid,³ but that frequently they are governed by envy, enmity, and a great variety of bad passions - Upon these considerations, may it not be prudent when it can be done, without danger, to the common cause previously to obtain the Consent of Congress, where much deviation from the usual routine of business is requisite, and especially where expence is created thereby. Such is the opinion entertained of you, that when you press a thing as necessary, if it is in the power of Congress, I am inclined to think a majority of that Body will readily adopt the measure. What I hear and see has induced me to say thus much - I am satisfied that verbum sapienti sat est - some still continue to gape for Commissioners, altho’ there is no more reason to expect any than to look for virtue from a Tory, or wisdom from a fool. I fancy the Hessian, Hanoverian, & Highland Commissioners, will shortly give us a different kind of treaty from the one that has been expected. We have no very late authentic accounts from Canada, but those we have, do not remove all hope of Quebec being ours before assistance can reach it.

The Proprietary Colonies do certainly obstruct and perplex the American Machine - Those who wish delay, and want nothing done, say, let the people in the Colonies begin, we must not go before them - Tho’ they well know the language in the Country to be, Let the Congress advise. In fact, the other Colonies must do what is right, and on giving proper and positive orders to their Servants in Congress, the Proprietary men will be obliged to pursue the right road. Before this reaches you I suppose the powder and medicines will be arrived, and the Blankets and shoes will quickly follow.⁴ We have had 23 Tons of powder, and a good deal of Saltpetre arrived within these 10 days. Since writing the above, a french Gentleman, who appears sensible and clever, has been with us.⁵ His letter is enclosed. He has been bred to Cavalry, and wishes to serve in Virginia. As a Committee of Congress has already reported against having Continental Cavalry in North Carolina, I suppose the same opinion will prevail respecting Virginia.⁶ But the measure is so wise and necessary for the defence of our Colony, that I wish and hope a few squadrons will be formed on Colonial expence, in which case, this Gentleman wd answer well as an Instructor & Commander.

Farewell my dear friend,

Richard Henry Lee.