Richard Henry Lee to Landon Carter

I have met with the same difficulty in my attempts for the Patriotic store that you mention. All approve, but none have the money. For as yet, I have met with no one person hardy enough to condemn, occasioned I suppose, by my having never conversed with a B - d on the subject.

He is one of those who are born "to make absurdity fashionable." But let us go on my friend, and by persevering in a good cause, deserve that success which we may fail to meet with. If the people will submit to abuse, let them do it with their eyes open; if they will pursue the wrong, after having been shown the right way, they will then have themselves only to blame With respect to the other subject of your letter, I agree entirely. I thought so from the beginning, nor did the application to me a whit alter the plan I have now pursued for more than six years. If I mistake not, the patriot Romans thought that every good Citizen should serve his Country seven years - I have done so twelve. And if in that time I have found it an hard service,

¹ why should I press for it with an earnest solicitude. I am with much regard, dear Sir,

your affectionate and obedient Servant.

R. H. Lee