York, Novr. 2. 1777
My dear General.
I thank you for your obliging favor of the 28th past, and for the inclosures accompanying it. I assure you Sir that having received such original impressions of your firm attachment to the cause of America, I have ever placed you among her first and most valuable friends.1 Trusting therefore to your patriotism, and my hopes of your returning health, I had ventured to mention your name for one of the three Commissioners of the new board of war - A most important department, on which our righteous warfare eminently depends.2 Some Gentlemen supposed yr. health would hinder, others observed that the Continental policy forbid the union of two offices in the same person, supposing that you might be prevailed on to retain your commission of M. General could your health permitted action. The spirit of the Continental policy does forbid double Salaries, but the Generalship might be continued with the Board of war Salary. Indeed the nature of the latter business renders rank and knowledge in War necessary. I love America and venerate its faithful friends, which must render it painful to be deprived, from whatever cause, of the assistance of its surest Supports in this crisis of its fate. I still hope however that returning health will enable you yet to continue your Aid for establishing the glory of North America on the most lasting foundations. I am yours dear Sir with sincere affection.
R.H. Lee
Lee PapersUniversity of Virginia Archives
Printed in James Curtis Ballagh, The Letters of Richard Henry Lee, Volume 1, 1762 - 1778, pp. 347 - 48. Endorsed "Ansr: to Gen. Mifflin’s letter of Octr: 28, 1777 Tuesday 30 Septr. Congress met in York 2 mils. of Livres 500 paid & 500 more on the first of April, July & Octr.
"12th March mention of an Officer employed to build 2 Ships of War equal to 64’ what is to become of those 4000 hhds Tobo. Contracted for with Farmers 2 mils. Livres first advance for this tobo. to be paid in April - Dictionnaire Francois & Anglois Par Louis Chambau et Mr. J. B. Robinet."
1 At this point Lee wrote and struck out: "You may judge then how unhappy I am made by your resignation."
2 Mifflin’s resignation as quartermaster general for health reasons was accepted on 7 November, but he was appointed immediately to the new Board of War. See JCC, 9:874; and Henry Laurens to Mifflin, 8 November 1777 (1st letter), note. Mifflin’s 12 November reply, in which he indicated that he would accept the board position, is in Richard H. Lee, Memoir of the Life of Richard Henry Lee , 2 vols. (Philadelphia: H.C. Carey and I. Lea, 1825), 2:174.