Richard Henry Lee to William Shippen, Jr.

Possession is eleven points of the Law, and there are in this City Profligates enough who for a good fee will secure the twelfth point. Thus you seem to be more at mercy now than when Mrs. - - the Tory Doctors wife¹ had residence here. How I came to get possession is another thing, and it may be accounted for this way - On my brothers² departure for Virginia last friday I was obliged to decamp from Market street, and it not being easy to find a lodging quickly, my most worthy friend the old Doctor³ proposed that I should have a room here. The bargain was soon made, I am in your Chamber, and we propose to club for our Marketing. The old gentleman drinks nothing but water, & small beer contents me. The Barrack Master furnishes us with wood, and I assure you we live with great happiness and content, whilst we exhibit an example of the truest republican economy. After quitting the irksome business of Chestnut Street I have the pleasure of contemplating in my old friend what Man ought to be, but what alass he seldom is - temperate, wise, and honest. I am much obliged to you for your favor of the 15th,⁴ but I do not despair. I am well satisfied however that we must suffer very considerably before the States in general will feel the necessity of sending wiser and better men to this Assembly. Where a Man by being honest is sure to be oppressed - Where disgrace & ruin are to reward the most faithful services. When the discharge of duty raises up the angry and malignant passions of envy, malice, and all uncharitableness - It is best to retire until necessity has pointed out proper men and proper measures. The party seem long since to have abandoned all thoughts of supporting Deane, but they are determined to sacrifice the Mr. Lees & Mr. Izard to the Manes of their dear unprincipled friend. The doctrine is, that it is too expensive and not necessary to have any Minister at Vienna or Berlin or Tuscany, and that it will never do to try a Man in his absence. Therefore we will damn his reputation with a recal,⁵ and let him recover it if he can, in the mean time our Junto will be supplied with places. It is in vain to say that thus to destroy the reputations of Men against whom no shadow of offence appears, and who on the contrary have honestly and ably served the public at every risk to themselves, merely to gratify the wishes and accomplish the views of avaricious and ambitious men, will exhibit such an example as must deter every Man who has character to loose, and means to be honest, from entering into the public service. That so the public business must of necessity be committed to unprincipled men, and avaricious plunderers. By the aid of a certain little great whispering politician⁶ this point of sacrifice will I think be carried. Fine reward, excellent encouragement to give up all pro patria. On a late motion to give a million to the Hospital department much violent debate took place and it was insisted on that infinite abuses prevailed and demanded immediate enquiry.⁷ It was alledged that great quantities of Stores were charged for Geese, ducks, chickens, &c &c &c &c - That the wine was all drank by the well, & not by the sick - All this ended in reducing the sum to 500,000 dollars. The Southern Chief, ⁸ who you know is a most excellent character, said he hoped soon for an enquiry into the conduct of the Director General and all the rest. Therefore a prospect of encountering so great a personage makes it necessary to say Cave quod agis. The Dutch having lately taken off the prohibition from the exportation of military stores, which they had imposed to oblige Great Britain, clearly proves that the interest of England is waining in Holland. There have arrived 7 Vessels here lately from the West Indies, which has terrified the Specs and lowered the price of sugar £20 in the hundred. It is said that many more Vessels are expected. Trade appears to thicken along the Wharfs and Marine business is recovering its former countenance. I shall go to Virginia in a fortnight where I hope to rest from public toil for some time at least. I think you are with Mr. Blair & his Lady, if so, I pray you to remember me to them, and present my Sister and Cousins.

I am yours sincerely and affectionately,

Richard Henry Lee