George Washington Papers

To George Washington from Richard Henry Lee, 13 March 1776

From Richard Henry Lee

Philadelphia 13 March 1776

Dear Sir,

I was in Virga (from whence I am but just returned) when your favor of the 26th Decr came here, and now I have but a moment before this Gentleman goes off to thank you for it, and to cover a letter from your brother, with the proceedings and ordinances of our last Convention1—Gen. Clinton had left Virginia before I did, and was gone to one, but which we do not know, of the Carolinas2—Gen. Lee is now here on his way to the Southward where he is to take the direction of our and the Carolina Troops—I shall write you fully in a Post or two,3 in the mean time, beg my compls. to your Lady, Mr & Mrs Custis: I am dear Sir Your most affectionate friend

Richard Henry Lee

ALS, DLC:GW.

1Lee was absent from Congress from 23 Dec. 1775 to 11 Mar. 1776. He enclosed a letter from John Augustine Washington dated 24 Feb. 1776 which has not been found (see GW to John Augustine Washington, 31 Mar. 1776). For the proceedings of the fourth Virginia convention, which met from 1 Dec. 1775 to 20 Jan. 1776, see volume 5 of Scribner and Tarter, Revolutionary Virginia description begins William J. Van Schreeven et al., eds. Revolutionary Virginia: The Road to Independence. A Documentary Record. 7 vols. Charlottesville, Va., 1973–83. description ends .

2Gen. Henry Clinton sailed from Hampton Roads for Cape Fear, N.C., on 26 February.

3Lee wrote to GW on 26 Mar. 1776, but the letter has not been found. See GW to Richard Henry Lee, 4 April 1776.

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