Richard Henry Lee to William Whipple

When lately I wrote you returning my thanks for the [last] fish that you were so kind as to send me, I omitted to mention a thing to you that I beg leave now ^to observe upon _ My eldest son Thomas Lee carries on business from Dumfries on Potomac river, he was carefully bred under Mons^r

. Schweighauser of Nantes and understands business well and also the french language_ As it is probable that some Gentleman in trade at Portsmouth, or in your state, may incline to push trade with this country, I venture to recommend my son to the correspondence of any such person, as a Merchant able & willing to serve him. I have the most perfect reliance on your friendship, that you will recommend my son to any business in the commercial way that you may know to be coming here _ There have already been sent many Vessels to the different rivers in this state from the Eastward to load for Europe, as well as to return with Cargoes to their own country. When Vessels go from your parts to the West Indies with your exports, may not some of them take West India produce and some here with it, load with Tobo., wheat, or flower, and proceed to Europe - In short there are many ways by which your Vessels may pass profitably thro[ugh] us, & the more correspondence we have with each other, the better I believe it will be for both. I am, with the sincerest affection and esteem dear sir your obliged friend & servant

Richard Henry Lee

Honorable General Whipple at Portsmouth in the state of New Hampshire

Review'd Sept: 6

R H Lee