Richard Henry Lee to John Adams

To such uncertain issue are all letters now exposed that are committed to Ship board, that it absolutely prohibits that full and explicit declaration of ones sentiments on many important points which I shall ever wish to make to you on whose wisdom and goodness I have the firmest reliance. The principles you adopt, and the conduct you intend to pursue, as mentioned in the letter you did me the honor to write me the 5 of Augt. last, I do most thoroughly approve. I know well that your support will only be given to the cause of virtue and your country, and that it will never be withheld therefrom. Who fails in doing right, fails nobly because Virtue is its own and a very great reward. You will see by the public prints, which Mr. Lovell tells me he has transmitted since the 1st of December last, that we are not exempt from the common Lot of humanity. But, tho Deanes and Partners of Deanes may and will shoot up in every Soil, and the foulness about them thicken for a time the purest streams, these will at length work themselves clear and as they run refine. The bold and sudden attempt made by Deane’s Libel of Decr. 5 on the public mind, seized it for a time with great violence, and hurried it away with too much rapidity for reflection. But no sooner did men begin to think than they began to see, and S. Deane has now fallen under universal contempt and censure. I am sure it has not been this Mans fault if he hath not done more injury to these States than G. Howe ever did. But enough of him. We shall soon transmit our plan for foreign affairs, and in the mean time, we are very impatient to hear from you, not having done so for three months past. We hope Spain will join France, which will indeed make decisive work. We are preparing for the ensuing Campaign with all possible vigor, but the enemies and our troops yet remain in quarters this way, and it seems probable that the former will be glad to continue so all the Summer as they have not more than 10 or 12,000 men both in York & Rhode Island, which force, if collected, would not be sufficient to take the field. The enemy have made a successful impression on Georgia this winter, but I consider this in the same light of mere temporary effect, as we have seen all their former operations. Measures are taking to remove them from that State, and tho the Climate wars against us, it will not fight for them. I see, with you, the importance of the Confederation, and I am not without hope that it will eer long, be completed. All have agreed except Maryland, and that State it is thought will come in at the next meeting of their Assembly, which will be in a few months. The Assembly of Virginia have directed their Delegates to move Congress to fix a day for closing this great Compact between such of the States as have consented, allowing either a given or indefinite time, as to Congress shall seem best, for dissenting States to become Members. We shall shortly move Congress for this purpose¹ The Currency is an object of the last importance. Tax we do, and very largely indeed, but this is still inadequate. Some aid, by foreign Loans, is indispensable by way of absorbing the immensity of the Mass. Two Millions of pounds sterling applied this way would, with the aid of Taxes, so restore us As to put the remainder of our Money on a good foundation, and then, Taxation with economy will do the rest.²

Lately our Coasts have been pretty free from the enemies Cruisers. They have now an ample call for their Sea force in other ports, and at present our frigates preserve our trade from the interruption it met with by the numerous small Privateers of the enemy.

Be pleased to accept a pamphlet that accompanies this containing a special collection from our Journals made to counteract certain false and ill designed assertions of the British Commissioners lately here.³

I am, yours dear Sir with the most affectionate esteem and regard,

Richard Henry Lee