Richard Henry Lee to Roger Sherman

I am much obliged to you for your favor of the 3d which I should have answered sooner if I had not been prevented by ill health and very much business.

The surrender of Burgoyne is no doubt of great consequence to our righteous cause, and I could wish it were in my power to entertain hopes of a similar event at Philadelphia. Howe has made his situation very strong by double lines and these strongly fortified. They do also contrive to get provisions up from the fleet in small Vessels by means of a channel between Province Island & Fort Island. The latter of these places having lately fallen into their hands will facilitate this business exceedingly. Yet the better opinion is, that the fleet cannot get up so long as we hold Red Bank, and the Cheveaux de Frize remain covered by the gallies. To reduce the former we hear that Cornwallis lately crossed the Delaware with 3000 men. We are very strong at that place, fully so I hope to give his Lordship a sound drubbing. We every day expect important news from thence.

We have just received a letter from Mr. Bingham at Martinique, covering one from Mr. Carmichael at Paris dated June 25 & July 6. Mr. Bingham’s letter is dated the 13th of October. Mr. Carmichael tells us that Dr. Lee is returning from Berlin having finished his business successfully at the Court of Prussia. That the English could get no foreigners to assist making up their last Loan, altho’ the terms were higher than usual. That ’twas reported Madrass had been taken by the Natives, which had fallen India Stock. That France, Spain, & England were preparing with all possible dispatch for War, and that he thought it was inevitable. Mr. Bingham says the General of Martinique had just received information from the French Ministry Sept 4 that demand was made upon England for a delivery of all the French Vessels captured by the English without the limits prescribed by treaty for bounding the approach of foreign Vessels to the Shores of British America, and if this demand was not complied with the Ambassador was to leave the Court of London. That the General had orders to put the Island in a posture for immediate war, and to prevent the sailing of all Ships bound to Europe by Embargo least they should fall into the enemies hands. Five thousand troops were immediately to be sent to Martinique & Guadaloupe additional to those already there. Mr. Bingham further informs that the Ministerial Writers in England were endeavouring to raise the National cry for a War with France, meaning to secure personal safety at the risk of National ruin. Thus these desperately wicked men are for setting Europe on fire that the Smoke may cover them from the vengeance of their injured Country. These are good presages for us but yet I cannot help being astonished at the horrid iniquity of these Wretches. We have finished the Confederation and it will go forward to the States in a few days, with strong exhortation to consider and return it quickly. In this great business dear Sir we must yield a little to each other, and not rigidly insist on having every thing correspondent to the partial views of every State. On such terms we can never confederate. If we take a view of the World, we shall find that numbers are by no means a just criterion to fix the relative riches of States.

² Of old times take Tyre and Scythia, Germany and Carthage. In Modern look at Holland Poland, England & Germany. But the truth is, that let wealth flow into a Country from whatever source, it will forever reflect value on the lands of that Country and they rise in value in proportion to the influx of wealth. Thus the value of lands in England has doubled & tripled as commerce has brought wealth into the Island. For my ownpart, I doubt extremely whether Virginia will not pay more by the present Mode than if it had been determinable by numbers. But I am satisfied that the mode now fixt is the most just, and so fiat justicia, ruat coelum

. We have recommended extensive taxation, sinking the provincial currencies, and regulating prices. I think that if the States will vigorously execute the recommendations of Congress, we shall, under providence, be a safe and happy people.

My ill state of health will compel me soon to return home for the winter season. I shall be particularly happy to hear from you, as well before as after you get to Congress, and for this purpose you will please direct to me at Chantilly Westmoreland County, to the care of the Post Master at Leeds Town in King George County Virginia. I live at some distance from the line of Post, and therefore propose to send weekly to the Office for such letters as my friends may favour me with.

I am, with sentiments of esteem and regard, Sir your most obedient Servant,

Richard Henry Lee

P.S. I am sorry that my predictions about Red Bank have not been fulfilled. Cornwallis got up before our reinforcements arrived, which has occasioned the evacuation of that Post, and the Continental Vessels that were there have been destroyed to prevent their falling into the enemies hands.³ We understand that the Stores at the Fort were saved & the Cannon spiked. Gen. Green is in the Jersies and he is very strong in Men, but whether there will be fighting nevertheless is to be determined by events. It does not seem clear that the enemy will get their Ships up because it is not certain they can remove the Cheveaux de Frize at this inclement Season.