31To James Madison from Richard Henry Lee, 27 December 1784 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 11th. reached me ten days after its date and after the post had gone out for that week, so that I fear this letter will not get to Richmd. before the adjournment. The proceedings of last Assembly respecting B. debts have not yet been before Congress, because they have not arrived at this place. It seems that they were deposited in Mr. Hardys Trunk which a variety of accidents...
32To George Washington from Richard Henry Lee, 26 December 1784 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to receive your obliging letter, of the 14th instant, seven days after its date and I thank you Sir for its friendly contents and sensible communications. Your ideas concerning the western country are wise and just. They will certainly have great weight when that business shall be discussed in Congress: and that will probably be the case soon after we know the success of our...
33To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Henry Lee, 14 December 1784 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: National Archives I have the honor to enclose to your Excellency a resolve of Congress passed this Day, the arrival of which in due season to prevent the signing of the convention alluded to, until an Opportunity of reconsidering it in full Congress may be had, will be very agreeable to that Body— I have the honor to be with the highest esteem and regard, Sir, Your Excellency’s Most...
34To John Jay from Richard Henry Lee, [c. 12 December 1784] (Jay Papers)
R. H. Lee presents his compliments to the honorable M r . Jay and sends him a paper of such smoking tobacco as some of our old smokers much approve— It is old, but badly cut and rather too dry—the latter quality may, however, be easily remedied by moistening the tobacco with a little weak toddy & placing it before the fire. AD , NNC ( EJ : 6779 ). Addressed: “Honorable M r . Jay”. Endorsed:...
35To Benjamin Franklin from Richard Henry Lee, 11 December 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; ALS (draft): Yale University Library; copy: National Archives I have the honor to enclose to your Excellency a packet for his most Christian Majesty containing a letter from Congress to that Monarch recommending our able and active friend the Marquis la Fayette to his royal favor. The Marquis’s former and recent services to America deserve, and have...
36To James Madison from Richard Henry Lee, 26 November 1784 (Madison Papers)
I received your agreeable letter the day after mine of the 28th. instant had been dispatched. I thank you Sir for the very particular and satisfactory information that you have favord me with. It is certainly comfortable to know that the Legislature of our country is engaged in beneficial pursuits—for I conceive that the Gen. Assessment, and a wise digest of our militia laws are very important...
37To George Washington from Richard Henry Lee, 20 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
I should sooner have done myself the honor of writing to you, if it had been in my power to have communicated any thing agreeable—But I could only have informed you that we had not, have not, nor can we say when, Members enough will be assembled to make a Congress. As yet we have but four States convened. This lassitude in our public councils must afflict our friends, and encourage the hopes...
38To James Madison from Richard Henry Lee, 20 November 1784 (Madison Papers)
I wish it were in my power to give you the satisfaction that I know it would afford you to be informed that Congress was assembled and proceeding well with the public business. Unfortunately, we have not yet a Congress, & altho twenty days are elapsed since the time appointed for its meeting, but 4 States have been convened. No doubt Colo. Monroe has informed his Correspondents of the...
39To George Washington from Richard Henry Lee, 22 July 1784 (Washington Papers)
The letter that you did me the honor to write to me on the 12th of June last, I did not receive until two days ago. I impute this to my having been obliged to leave the Assembly, by the ill state of my health, a fortnight before it was adjourned. The very great respect that I shall ever pay to your recommendations, would have been very sufficient to have procured my exertions in favor of Mr...