York Town in Pena. 24th. Octr. 1777.
Sir,
The inclosed resolve will explain to you the design of our appointment, and the reason of our present application. As a friend to the cause of America, and as a Gentleman living on the spot which has been Colo. Morgans scene of action since his appointment under the United States, we are to request of you Sir your candid sentiments on the subject of charge against Colo. Morgan and you will further oblige us by obtaining the fair and uninfluenced testimony of disinterested persons on the same point - We wish to be well informed touching the political character of Mr. McGee, whether he is considered as an Agent, or Friend, of G.B. and whether he does not profess himself a Subject of the British King - Whether Colo. Morgan has much intimacy with Mr. McGee and whether the latter was not carried by the former along with him on a visit to some of the Indian nations, and whether it was by Colo. Morgans influence that the Indians were induced to insist on Mr. McGees continuing to reside where he now does - Whether any letter has been seen from Mr. Hamilton the Governor of Detroit to Colo. Morgan, & what were the Contents of such letter - We are satisfied that you will excuse the trouble we have here given you, when you reflect how important a thing it is that the department of Agent for Indian Affairs should be filled by a person of clear and unquestioned attachments to the United States, and the impossi<bility fro>m our remoteness, of rightly answering the end of our <appointment> unless by the mediation of American friends in <that part> of the Country.
We are Sir your most obedient Servants.
Richard Henry Lee
Lee Papers, American Philosophical Society Printed in James Curtis Ballagh, The Letters of Richard Henry Lee, Volume 1, 1762 - 1778, pp. 341 - 42. Addressed to someone apparently at Fort Pitt. Lee drafted this letter on the verso of an unfinished letter to an unknown recipient, 14 October 1777.