Richard Henry Lee , John Walker to Beverley Randolph

We have now the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency’s letter with its enclosure respecting Lead mines and manufacture. The proposition came seasonably here when a Bill for augmenting the impost was under consideration -

We have the satisfaction to inform you that it was readily agreed to lay a duty of one cent pr. pound on all imported Lead, which we hope will be found a sufficient protection for our infant manufacture of this article. We are sorry to inform your Excellency that the assumption of the State debts into the funds of the U.S. is likely to succeed at last - The measure was brought on in Senate and carried by a small majority after having been twice or three times rejected in the H. of Representatives, where yesterday it was agreed to by a small majority. We have endeavored to render this business as little hurtful to our Country as possible, by preparing for as large an assumption for Virginia as could be obtained.

The Sum assumed for our State is 3,500,000 dollars, which being more than we owe, will serve to cover a part of the large ballance that we claim from the Union. With great respect and esteem we have the honor to be

your Excellencys most obedient Servants.

Richard Henry Lee