Richard Henry Lee to John Page

I am exceedingly happy to find by your letter of the 3d instant that we are like to be supplied within ourselves with the necessary articles of Salt petre, sulpher, flints, and gunpowder. If to these you can add Cannon and good Small Arms, Virginia will secure her freedom in despight of all the Tyrants in the world. Cannon and Muskets are of wonderful consequence and cannot be pushed on with too much attention and vigor. I do not think that Frigates can be of any great use to us in defending our Bay whilst our Enemies exceed us so greatly both in number and goodness of these kind of Vessels. They are besides extremely expensive. The Sea Gallies cost less, and their excellence for our purpose, consists in the great weight of mettle they carry which renders 2 or 3 of them superior to the largest Frigate, and 10 or 12 of them an overmatch for any thing but Line of battle ships, nor will the chance of there lost be very great in still water. Your plan of public Trade so far as it goes to the obtaining of Military Stores, & Soldiers cloaths I highly approve, and have sent Colo. Mason a sheme written by a Frenchman here for that purpose. The greatest danger of public Trade, is, that the Conductors of it are too apt to convert the whole into private job and particular gain. If Men of Skill, industry, and integrity, can be found to carry on the business it will be eminently useful. Since I wrote you by last post, the enemy have got 2 forty four gun Ships, one 20, and 3 Tenders above our obstructions in the North River, but we do not hear of any Manœuvre in consequence of it. Our endeavor will be to keep these Ships above, by sinking more Hulks, until the Frost makes them ours. Yesterday Congress received a letter from Gen. Mercer dated Amboy in the Jersies Octr. 10,¹ in which he says "Yesterday evening a part of the Enemies Fleet to the number of 22 Sail fell down to Sandy Hook and this morning stood out to Sea an easterly course, five of them appeared to be Ships of War." The destination of this Fleet we cannot tell, but 'tis thought here that they are gone for Rhode Island. Some think they are coming to this place, which at this time is very defenceless. However we must do our best, and indeed we ought to be every where in the best possible posture of defence. I must confess that for my own part, I do not think they will weaken much their grand Army whilst we have so great a one in their face. Gen. Carleton will hardly be able to cross Lake Champlain this Campaign, and the Howes have done little yet with all their mighty Land & Sea force. 8 or 10 Transports arrived to them from Engld lately, with light horse. They brought out 240 horse, 80 of them died on the passage and 20 were taken in one Ship by an Eastern Privateer.

Farewell dear Sir and believe me to be affectionately yours²