1To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 23 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
A Gentleman whose name is Banister (as silly a Gentleman perhaps as lives) is accused by his Country men the People of Newport, of being a most violent Tory—I believe He is neither whig nor Tory, but an eater and drinker—it is in my opinion not worth troubling You with him—but I am oblig’d through complacency to the Corps herein, to refer him to your Excellency ⟨The⟩y will I suppose bring...
2To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 5 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
The consequences of the Enemy’s possessing themselves of New York have appear’d to me so terrible that I have scarcely been able to sleep from apprehensions on the subject—these apprehensions daily increase—You have it in your power at present to prevent this dreadfull event—if I do not mistake, the Congress have given you authority to take any step in that place as well as here which you...
3To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 15 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
Major French whom I have met with at Hartford, is extremely solicitous for permission to return home, as He is confident that his whole fortunes depend upon his being immediately on the spot with his Friends at this instant as He is, I believe, a Man of strict honour his Parole not to serve for a given time against the Freedom of America wou’d be sufficient security—and as He has a Family to...
4To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 16 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
We have been so baffled by the weather that We only arriv’d here last night—I believe We shall find no difficulties in procuring a sufficient body of Volunteers for the N. York expedition—the unhappy accounts from Canada seem to animate these People rather than depress—indeed We have now occasion for exertion and decision—I am apprehensive that the Congress must be inspir’d by You They have...
5To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 24 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
It was unnecessary sooner to trouble you with my scrowl—as I cou’d give you no information, the least interesting[.] I find the People through this Province more alert and zealous than my most sanguine expectation—I believe I might have collected ten thoushand Volunteers—I take only four Companies with me and Waterbury’s Regt which is so happily situated on the frontier—Wards Regt I have...
6To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 5–6 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
I arriv’d here yesterday but not without some difficulty—my disorder encreas’d rather than diminish’d, so that I was under the necessity of being carried in a litter a considerable part of the way. I consider it as a piece of the greatest good Fortune that the Congress have detach’d a Committee to this place—otherwise I shou’d have made a most ridiculous figure, besides bringing upon myself...
7To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 14 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
I shou’d have written to you more constantly but really had no means of conveying my letter—a Mr Buchanan and Tolby bound for head Quarters will deliver You this—You will excuse the conciseness as my time is short—The Governor and Capt. of Man of War had threaten’d perdition to the Town if the Cannon was remov’d from the Batteries and wharfs, but I ever considerd their threats as a Brutum...
8To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 19 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am extremely happy that there is any open[ing] for a more comfortable establishment for poor Palfry than his present—He is a valuable and capable Man, and the pittance of a simple Aid de Campship is wretched for a Man who has a family to support—on this principle and in obedience to your commands I shall send him to Head Quarters without delay —I must at the same time confess that the loss...
9To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 29 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am now so far recover’d tho far from well, that I shall set out in two days —the stripping Ticonderora so intirely of it’s heavy Cannon is a most unfortunate circumstance, as the transportation of ’em from this place is a busyness of monstrous difficulties expence and labour—The Congress have as yet not taken the least step for the security of this place—the instant I leave it, I conclude...
10To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 3 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
My destination is alterd—instead of going to Canada I am appointed to Command to the Southward—there has been a great promotion of Brig’r Generals—Armstrong[,] Thompson, Lewis, Moore[,] Stirling and Howe are the six—four are to serve under my orders viz. Armstrong Lewis Moore and Howe —as I am the only General Officer on the Continent who can speak and think in French I confess I think it...