Philadela. Octr. 9th 1780
Dear Sir
Reports prevail to Day that all Regts are embarking at New-York bound for our Bay. It is spoke of with confidence, but I still have many Doubts, and principally because we have had no hint of it from the General; so important a movement would not escape his attention; if there is any ground for it, a few Days must afford us authentic information.1
Majr. Andre was executed last Monday. He disclosed nothing, as was first reported, but died like a Soldier and a Man of Honor, lamenting that he had failed in his enterprize and rejoicing that he died for his King & Country. The General has not as yet informed Congress of the particulars of this transaction when he does I shall be happy in communicating them to you.
Congress has ordered the General to hold a Court of enquiry on the Conduct of Majr. General Gates in the late Action near Camden, and to appoint an officer to take the command of the Southern Army.
You will receive by this post one pound of Tea which is all that I could procure for the Money that was left me by Mr. Green. Maj. Jenifer left Town earlier than I expected,2 or I should have sent it by him. I am hoping to find it is agreeable to Mrs. Lees taste. This and every other command of hers I shall execute with peculiar pleasure.
I propose to be at the Assembly but have little hopes that it will be at the commencement of it. The enquiries that are made on this head are very flattering to my vanity. You have never as yet found Time to acknowledge a voluminous letter of mine,3 drawn from me by a passage in one of yours of a former Date in which something is suggested, very similar to what is contained in your last. You will there find my opinion of the to whom you allude; nothing can give me so much pleasure as being the happy instrument of communicating "complete Satisfaction" to them. I would speake to you with freedom, but the danger of having ones letters opened, requires a degree of caution. The to whom you allude is extremely delicious; the evening Society of such Company is more desireable than all the celebrated Wits of the Augustan Age.
In my former letter of to Day4 you will receive information respecting Tents for the Northern Army and Clothing for the New Regts.
Give my Complements to Mrs. Lee and believe me to be with Sincerity & affection Yr,
J. Henry
Receiver’s copy, Lee, Horsey and Carroll Papers deposit (1985), Maryland Historical Society.
1 For Washington’s report on October 17 of the recent departure of a British fleet from New York presumed headed southward, see Samuel Huntington to Thomas Jefferson, October 21, 1780, note 2.
2 See the preceding entry, note 3.
3 Not found.
4 That is, the letter of the Maryland Delegates to Lee, this date.