Philadelphia March 21, 1779My dear {Brother}
I refer you to mine by Capt. Robinson written when I was on my way to this place. I found when I arrived here that the {author} of {Common Sense} had pursued his {blow}s so {effectively} that without {doors Deane} and his {faction} have lapsed into {general contempt}. A more {wicked set} I realy think never {disgrac}ed and {injur}ed {society}. {With}in {door}s the {faction continue} to {exert themselves}, but I do not think {they} can {succeed}. However {they} are {numerous} and {arrogant}, and therefore {you} will not be surprised let {happen} what {may}. But provide all possible {proof}s of {Deane’s libel}. His {charges again}st {you} are {suspicion, jealousy, affronting, hate} of the {French} and that you {inform}ed {Lord Shelburne} of the {treaty} on the day of {sign}ing. For all this {assertion} alone is {produc}ed. But {against} him {enough} appears to induce the most {violent suspicion}s. This they know and therefore loosing {hope} of {support}ing {Deane} their {hope} now is to make you {fail} also. But here will be the puzzle. Their {role} is not less {against William}. The {charge}s against are {mean}ness and going {share}s with the {agent}s he {appoint}ed. But there is no {proof}. Yet {ambition, avarice, envy}, and {tory}ism can make what they cannot otherways find, and believe for gratification things that exist not. Should they act so injuriously I hope you will {appeal} to the public, so that shame and disgrace may fall on the wrong doers. With composure therefore {collect} your {proof}s.
Give my best love and respects where you know them to be due.
{Richard Henry Lee}
Lee PapersHoughton Library
1 Words printed in braces in this text were written by Lee in cipher.
2 Lee obviously omitted a word at this point. The context of the sentence suggests that he may have had in mind a word such as "favor," "behalf," "support," or "defense."