New York - 14 May 1790
My dear Cousin.
It will be a fortnight tomorrow since I have been
almost
wholly confined to my Room with a severe stroke of the Influenza that had nearly dispatched me to that Country from whose Bourne no Traveller returns - I thank God that my present state of health, tho feeble, is yet such as promises to be good in a reasonable Time with proper care - I hope you have long since received my letter by young Graham, & that he has safely carried on the Bracelets.
You will have the goodness to inform me of this & of my other commissions to you - Is the "Widow of Malabar"* really a thing of genius & entertainment? or does your Theatre, in a spirit of Politeness state it so? I rely on your judgement as a Critic Sound, if not Severe - When I propose you to get it for me & if you will stake your taste upon it - The enclosed supposed you might be here - The plaguey Influenza Cough sticks faster than a blister, for the latter has quitted me but the former yet distresses - Is your whole Soul absorbed - Absolutely engrossed, so that you cannot write but of Love, & to your Love - Love does not forbid friendship from sliding in for a Moment or so - Under this idea I may hope an answer - My best affections where you know they are due I pray you to present - Sincerely yours.
Richard Henry Lee
Shippen Collection *The Widow of Malabar is a 1790 tragedy by the British writer Mariana Starke. Printed in James Curtis Ballagh, The Letters of Richard Henry Lee, Volume 2, 1779 - 1794, pp. 513 - 14.