Francis Lightfoot Lee to Landon Carter

I have received your very acceptable Letter of the 30 Apl. I wish it was in my power to make better return, but my situation here will not admit of it. Perhaps it wou’d be well if Congress was allowed to form a Governmt. for the Colonies; but it does not pretend nor will ever be allowed, to interfere with their internal policy. All it can do is to recommend it to them to establish such governmts. as will best contribute to their happiness, & this is done. However as I find there are many good men in the Convention I hope they will make such an establishment, as will put a stop to the rising disorders with you, & secure internal quiet for the future. The violent struggle we have to go thro’ this summer, the hardships we must suffer, make it necessary to cultivate the utmost harmony among ourselves.

This & the adjoining Colonies are going fast into Independency & constituting new Governmts. convinced of the necessity of it, both for the security of internal peace & good order; and for the vigorous exertion of their whole force against the common Enemy. I agree with you that the arbitrary & cruel proceedings of the British Court And The slavish indolence of the people of England, has made more independants, than Common sense, for however plausible in theory, the prospect of wealth & grandeur, old habits & prejudices, and fears, of what we know not, will ever be great obstructions to changes of Governmts Tyranny & oppression often effect it. Letters & intelligence from London recd. yesterday,¹ leave no room to doubt of the diabolical intentions of Administration against us & their people are so plunged in Curruption, & willing slavery that nothing is to be expected from them so that we must stand entirely upon our own legs for the future. Indeed if we had our choice, I think any further connection with them, wou’d be infamy & pollution. We have the treaties with Hesse, Brunswick & Waldeck. They are curious, if they are printed here I will send you a copy. We have been unfortunate at Quebec. Genl. Wooster, an old woman, suffer’d himself to be surprised by a reinforcemt. that arrived there [the 6th] inst. & lost his Cannon, [500] stand of arms, a good deal of powder, & his sick men.² Bad weather had prevented better officers from joining the Army. We are 10,000 strong there now with good Genls. & can throw in aid at pleasure, therefore we fear them not. Colo. Tayloe has the papers, I beg my afft. compts. may be accepted at Sabine Hall. Mrs. Lee joins in the request.

Believe me Dear Col. ever Yours,

Francis Lightfoot Lee