8th April 1778.
Sir
I have the honour of transmitting under the present Inclosure an Act of Congress of the 7th Inst. for promoting you to the Rank of Major of Horse & to the Command of a seperate Corps of two Troop as an acknowledgment of your distinguished Merit.1
Permit me Sir, to congratulate with your friends upon this occasion to wish you continued successes and accession of Glory, & beleive me to be with great Esteem, Sir, your most Obedient humble Set.
Letter book, Papers of Continental Congress, item 13, U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.
1 Congress took this action at the behest of Washington and the Committee at Camp. See JCC, 10:315; and Washington, Writings (Fitzpatrick), 11:2054. Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee (1756 - 1818), after distinguishing himself as a cavalry officer during the southern campaign of 1780 - 81, held a succession of responsible public offices, serving as a delegate to Congress, 1785 - 88, member of the Virginia ratifying convention, 1788, governor of Virginia, 1791 - 95, and U.S. congressman, 1799 - 1801. DAB; and Bio. Dir. Cong.