Richard Henry Lee to William Lee

At this place we have been confined since the 7th. of last month attending on the assembly, and here I have received your favors by Capt. Johnstoun and Mr. Adams. The business of the Country, not having been for three years considered, has occasioned this to be a meeting of so much business and great perplexity, that an adjournment to the middle of May will certainly take place. We hope by that time to know the determination of Parliament on our affairs and would therefore wish to have the most early authentic intelligence on this subject. And as scruples have arisen about the authenticity of <private> letters, it may be well to send the printed votes that relate to us. When I came here in November, I found no paces had been taken to effect a division between you and Mr. Paradise, and it being determined by the Trustees, that a Survey of all shd. be made, together with a renewal appraisement of the personal estate, I have used every moment that attendance in Assembly would permit,

¹

to be with Cary Wilkison, and urge him to push on the business with the greatest dispatch. that a division might be made before we adjourned. He has accordingly been very industrious, and now, tho; this is done, some other difficulties are started, that has occasioned the business to be defferred until our meeting in May. Mr. Nicholas & Colo. Corbin have shewn much willingness to have this affair finished, but I can say nothing of the others. Things being thus circumstanced, I had nothing left but to have every thing so exactly prepared against the May meeting that no plausibility may then be urged to prevent a final division and conveyance. This state of affairs makes it necessary, that things should remain (with regard to crops) as they were for another year, and the profits of the estate, be as usual divided between you and your Sister in law. I have done every thing in my power on this occasion, but you will discover, on reflection, that here was no room for force, nor would any undue pressing have been proper. When the division takes place, I will examine accurately into your part, and give you the most precise answers to all your inquiries that I shall then be able to do. You know my dear brother <tha>t in consequence of my having granted all my estate above <I> am quite out of the way of doing any thing in the <improve>ment way, making little Tobo. where I live, having a heavy rent, and large public levies to pay. I can only say, and so thinks Loudon, that the dreadful gust in August, having lessened the crops so greatly below, might render precarious the getting a Ship loaded this year, unless a small Vessel, taking on liberty also might answer. But whether this method, or getting what could be got, and looking out here for liberty Vessels to take it for you, would best answer, must be left I think to the encouragement your other relations & friends transmit to you. Cary Wilkison tells me that the gust has prevented him from making a better crop this year than he has for many years last past had a chance of doing. He talks of 50 hhds Tobo. to be made in the whole, half of which is I believe already sent to Mr. Cary for Mr. Paradise, and the other half will remain a little longer till it is certain whether or not you will send a Ship. Our good friend Colo. Presley Thornton died a few days ago - If you and the Doctor should think it will be more in my power to serve my country in his place than in the one I hold, I doubt not, but you will exert yourselves to get me appointed, if not to this, to the next vacancy, another being likely soon to happen, from the uncommon age, and increasing debility of the old P - d. Indeed I find the attendance on Assemblies so expensive, and the power of doing good so rarely occuring, that I am determined to quit that employment.

I suppose you have before now heard of my marriage with Mrs. Pinchard - I have the very great happiness to find in her a most tender attentive and fond mother to my dear little girls. I would not have you by any means give up the thoughts of engaging in the Tobo. business, because I am well convinced, that in common years, it will be easy enough to get a small ship loaded, and that may prepare the way to more expensive business. I have exhorted Cary Wilkison to the greatest diligence, and he assures me, nothing in his power shall be omitted to push your interest, under his management to the utmost.

You may observe, that I write on association paper, and that principle admits not of copying my letter. I heartily wish you and my good Sister may enjoy uninterupted health and happiness. For my own part, I have been so long familiar with misfortune, that I have learned to look upon adversity with an undisturbed mind, and a steady countenance.

Farewell.

R. H. Lee

Decr. 20 1769 Williamsburg.