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To George Washington from Henry Lee, 28 November 1790

From Henry Lee

Richmond—28th [November] 17901

My dear sir:

As one who asks no employment but will accept of it, if public considerations should make his service proper do I now address You.

We have heard of a defeat of the Western Army & popular clamour is loud.2

If the events of war should render a change in the command of your troops necessary, & you should consider me equal to the charge, such is my miserable condition from the vicissitude attendant on mortals, that I should esteem it a happiness to be called to military service. I have the honor to be with unalterable affection & respect your most obt ser.

Henry Lee

ALS, DLC:GW.

1. The cover is docketed “Novr 28th 1790” in a separate hand and is addressed in Lee’s hand to the president at Philadelphia, “hond by the honl. Mr Giles.”

2. For the background to Gen. Josiah Harmar’s expedition against the Miami confederacy and his 19 and 22 Oct. 1790 clashes with the Indians, see Jefferson to GW, 29 Aug. 1790, nn.1 and 2, Knox to GW, 25 Oct. 1790, nn.1 and 2, and GW to Knox, 19 Nov. 1790, n.4.

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    Washington Papers
    Title
    To George Washington from Henry Lee, 28 November 1790
    Author
    Lee, Henry
    Recipient
    Washington, George
    Date
    28 November 1790

    Reference

    Cite as
    “To George Washington from Henry Lee, 28 November 1790,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-06-02-0337. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Presidential Series, vol. 6, 1 July 1790 – 30 November 1790, ed. Mark A. Mastromarino. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1996, p. 694.]

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