To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Lee, 23 March 1792
From Henry Lee
Richmond March 23d. 1792.
Sir
Your letter of the 14th. was received by the last night’s mail, in answer to which I beg leave to refer you to the enclosed Acts of Assembly.
I presumed that the Commissioners had made an offer of the hospital to the General Government in pursuance of the Authority vested in them, and that the acceptance of the offer had been deferred until a part of the building was fit for use.
Therefore did I transmit an extract from Doctr. Taylor’s letter to the President of the United States.
I will forward to the Commissioners a copy of your letter and request them to communicate with you on this subject. I have &c.
Henry Lee.
FC (Vi: Executive Letter Book). Recorded in SJL as received 31 Mch. 1792.
The enclosed acts of assembly were probably the Virginia laws creating a marine hospital for aged, ill, and infirm seamen (enacted 20 Dec. 1787), and another of 24 Dec. 1791 authorizing the hospital commissioners to sell the same to Congress ( xii, 494–5, xiii, 158–9).