York the 27th May 1778
My dear Brother,
Having written you fully and very lately it is not necessary, nor have I time now to be long. All your letters covering missives, certificates &c have safely arrived, and will be maturely attended to. I hope the safe arrival of Mr. Adams and the recall of Deane will benefit extremely the public business. The latter is in every respect the reverse of Mr. Adams, and so you may form your judgment of the former. I have found ample cause to love and esteem Mr. Adams in our joint labors for the public good. My eyes are so extremely injured by their constant application, that without the aid and support of Spectacles I fear I shall soon loose the use of them. I pray you then to procure me a pair of the best Temple Spectacles that can be had. In fitting these perhaps it may be proper to remember that my age is 46, that my eyes are light colored and have been quick & strong but now weakned by constant use - My head thin between the Temples.
The British Army yet remains at Philadelphia and ours at Valley Forge about 18 miles from the City. The latter growing daily stronger in numbers & discipline; the former lessening in numbers by various casualties, but chiefly by desertion. We have the best authority for believing they are about embarking soon from Philadelphia, so that my next letter may be from that City.
If the Spectacles are sent to my Son at Nantes he can contrive them to your ever affectionate brother and faithful friend,
Richard Henry Lee
Receiver’s copy, John F. Reed Collection, Valley Forge National Historical Park. Another copy is in the Lee Papers, Virginia Historical Society. Printed in James Curtis Ballagh, The Letters of Richard Henry Lee, Volume 1, 1762 - 1778, pp. 410 - 11.