Richard Henry Lee to William Lee

We have been here in full Congress of Deputies from the Principal Colonies near three weeks proceeding slowly but with great unanimity on the important business that brought us to this Town. The proceedings are yet on honor to be kept secret, but we have great hopes that their vigor and unanimity will prove the ruin of our Ministerial Enemies and the salvation of American Liberty. About a fortnight more will produce a publication of our plan, after which, you shall have it by the first opportunity. Since we came to this place, a universal alarm has been occasioned by a report that Boston had just been Cannonaded. This proves not true, and took its rise from a night manouvre of the Generals, to seize some Provincial Powder that had been stored by law for Militia uses. The report served however to show the spirit and situation of the people in that part of America, for we have good intelligence that 50,000 Men were in Arms in the Massachusetts Government and Connecticut, and that 30,000 were on march, well armed and provided, to Boston when they were informed all was peace at that place, on which they quietly returned home. Does not this shew that no small difficulty will attend forcing a submission from these people, and that they are most firmly resolved to dye rather than submit to the change of their Government. In this too they will have the concurring support of the other Colonies as the Congress have in fact already published their determination by approving in strong terms the resolves of the County of Suffolk as the inclosed Paper will shew you. It seems to me, that if Ministry have not their hearts hardened, as the Scripture has it, they will best consult the good of thei<r> Country and their own safety by a prudent and speedy reversal of their ill judged measures. For they may be certain of a full, complete and steady opposition from all North America - I mean every part of it that is worth regarding. Give my love to the Doctor and communicate this letter to him. I heartily wish my Sister & yourself health and happiness.

Farewell.

R. H. Lee