Richard Henry Lee to Samuel Adams , John Dickinson

I should not have been silent so long if any important consideration had made writing necessary. On this quarter, much alarm has been create<d> by a new court of criminal jurisdiction, it is said, havg. been lately opened in Rhode Island. Neither the power, nor the object of this Court, has been perfectly understood here; but in general we have been informed that it was designed to put in execution the dangrous advice of the two houses of Parliament in 1769 to seize obnoxious Americans and convey them to Britain for trial. When our Assembly met lately, they were unfurnished with Proper documents touching this business. But they have now adopted a measure which from the beginning of the present dispute they should have fixed on, as leading to that union, and perfect understanding of each other, on which the political salvation of America so eminently depends. I have inclosed you that part of our Journal which relates to this matter. You will observe Sir, that altho full scope is given to a large and thorough union counsels, yet our language is so contrived as to prevent the Enemies of America from hurrying this transaction into that vortex of treason, whither they have carried every honest attempt to defend ourselves from their tyrranous designs for destroying our constitutional liberty. I sincerely hope that every Colony on the Continent will adopt these Committees of correspondence and enquiry. I should be much obliged with your sentiments concerning this Rhode Island Court, and with the knowledge you have of its powers and object. I am with singular esteem sir

Your most obedient humble servant.

R. H. Lee

To John Dickenson, Esqr. in Philadelphia -