York May 2, 1778.
Dear Sir
We are this moment made acquainted by the War Office that an Express was immediately to depart for Virginia, and I take the opportunity of enclosing by him the last papers, which contain all our news, except it be a report that seems not illy founded, that Genl. Amhers<t> and Adml. Keppel are arrived at Philadelphia as commissioners from the King & Parliament of G.B. to carry into execution the very curious plan that one of the inclosed papers contains. Tis happy for America that her enemies have not sufficient ability to give even a specious appearance to their wicked designs. In this case the Peasantry here develope the cheat. We have no news, not a scrip from our Com[mission]ers. The Gold and the Sea power of our enemies have <preva>iled to deprive us of most important dispatches.
Adieu my dear Sir,
Richard Henry Lee
Thomas Jefferson PapersLibrary of Congress
Printed in Boyd, Papers of Thomas Jefferson, 2:175 - 76. Printed also in James Curtis Ballagh, The Letters of Richard Henry Lee, Volume 1, 1762 - 1778, pp. 394 - 95. Addressed "Thomas Jefferson esquire or in his absence to the honorable George Wythe esqr: At Williamsburg in Virginia R. H. Lee. By Express."