181To George Washington from Henry Lee, 4 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
Altho the enclosed account which came to hand yesterday is by no means complete, yet I think it worthy of transmission, as I am sure you will be very anxious to receive every additional information on the late disaster in the west. The writer I am told is entitled to full credit—We may I think truely infer from this communication that the enemy paid dearly for their victory, or General St...
182To James Madison from Henry Lee, 2 February 1827 (Madison Papers)
In examining the events of the late war I believe I have ascertained that when in the fall of 1813, it became obvious that the campaign in the North would terminate in the disgrace of promising much and doing nothing, the govt. projected a plan for the operations of the ensuing year, of which the principal feature was to assemble a large force just within the limits of Canada—and near the...
183To James Madison from Henry Lee, 3 August 1791 (Madison Papers)
During my absence the physicians attending our afflicted countryman Col: Fisher have after various examinations decided that he has no stone, & incline to think his disorder is what is called a catarhh, a disease in the neck of the bladder or prostrate glands. In this doubt & consequent anxiety, I have advised him to obtain Doer. Mcnights opinion, to do which with certainty your agency is...
184Henry Lee to James Madison, 15 September 1833 (Madison Papers)
I have had the honour to receive your letter of the 14th of August, and have read it with that reverence which your age, and that respect which your character inspires. I beg to thank you for pointing out the misprint in regard to Mr Jay, which had led me into a labirynth of unpleasing conjectures. I regret that you have not condescended to correct the errors you perceive in my observations on...
185To James Madison from Henry Lee, 22 April 1790 (Madison Papers)
I got here last night from a trip to the great falls, & met your letr. of the 4th. It is really lamentable publicly & privately that a gift of Nature so useful should be locked up for the want of 3000 £ this currency. Was I in possession I verily beleive that the money would be returned in the course of one year. Col. Bull formerly of Pensylvania now of Berkeley, who was with me yesterday, &...
186To George Washington from Henry Lee, 15 June 1792 (Washington Papers)
When I was in Norfolk I heard of your passing thro Baltimore on a visit to Mt Vernon, and flattered myself with being enabled to pay my respects to you, but on my return I heard of your departure for Philada. This happiness I must hope for on a future day. In the mean time permit me to occupy a few moments of your time. You cannot have forgotten a declaration which you made at your own table...
187To James Madison from Henry Lee, 19 July 1811 (Madison Papers)
The day after I had the honor of seeing you, I visited my young friend. His sentiments respecting the late pamphlet accord entirely with my own as does his respect for you. From his pen may be expected an answer which if executed with his usual ability will I think be found complete. I do not fully take yr. distinction (a material one) as to the probable govermental conduct, had it been called...
188To George Washington from Henry Lee, 9 December 1795 (Washington Papers)
Least the official transmission of the resolutions mentioned in my last may have been delayed, I have thought it expedient to enclose to you the journals which comprehend the proceedings on the last resolution —The first in effect the same took place in our disposal of the James river shares. When you see that resolution you will find that your disposal of the potomac shares is approved & that...
189To James Madison from Henry Lee, 29 January 1792 (Madison Papers)
I received last night your letter of the 21st. On reference to the post office the subscribers to Frenaus gazette found their respective papers generally. I have read with attention your remarks to my observations on the first clause in the reply of your house to the presidential speech & while I acknowledge the commercial advantages enjoyed by the states since the adoption of the present...
190To James Madison from Henry Lee, 19 August 1811 (Madison Papers)
I received the other day a letter from my long loved friend Mr Stoddert requesting my correction of the statement of a conversation, wherever he may have misconceived my meaning. In this letter he expresses a high respect for yr. personal character, an admiration of yr. private virtues & an anxious wish to beleive that you was actuated by a sincere desire to close our affairs with G B: as I...
191To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Lee, 6 March 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
From my knowledge of your unceasing desire to promote the welfare of your country and fellow citizens, joined to the singularity of the situation and circumstances of part of my property, am I induced to ask your attention and assistance. Did the consequences of your aid affect me only without advantaging the adjoining community, no temptation of profit could allure me to request your...
192To George Washington from Henry Lee, 31 May 1794 (Washington Papers)
I informed the Secretary of War since my arrival, that I should devote all the leisure I might have in examining the Western part of the Chesapeake and Hampton-Road, with a view to the preparing for you authentic information on points which, in case of war, will probably engage your attention. I have so done, but my time has not admitted of the minute examination I wished; still I believe my...
193To James Madison from Henry Lee, 17 November 1813 (Madison Papers)
In a former letter, the only one I have written to you, I proffered my grateful & cordial thanks for the kindness you exemplified to me when with one foot in the grave; & intimated that my prospect of restoration to my former state of health was consoling, tho uncertain. Since that period, I have successively experienced the ebbs & floods common to continued disease, which confound my hopes &...
194To James Madison from Henry Lee, 11 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
You will soon be placed in a station first in honor as first in responsibility & at a period full of difficulty & danger. On yr. magnanimity yr. wisdom & your pure patriotism the good Americans of all political partys look for releif & comfort. They confidently expect this boon from your long tried character. I am one among those who must wish, as well as most expect it. It is in yr. power to...
195To George Washington from Henry Lee, 17 September 1793 (Washington Papers)
The letter which you did me the honor to write to me dated 21st July got to hand just as I was departing for Winchester, from which place I am late returned. To this cause is to be attributed cheifly the lateness of my reply, tho my wish to have known with accuracy the mind of my country men relative to those matters which were beginning to agitate the community, would of itself have induced...
196To James Madison from Henry Lee, 3 April 1790 (Madison Papers)
I am induced to address you on a subject which violates the rule I had lately prescribed to myself with respect to our public affairs. A youth the son of Mr. Thomas L. Lee to whom I beleive you was intimately known met me this morning on the road. Bred to the mercantile line in one of the most respectable houses in our country & cut off from his expectations there, by the death of his...
197To George Washington from Henry Lee, 1 July 1789 (Washington Papers)
Altho the exalted station which your love of us and our love of you has placed you in, calls for change in mode of address, yet I cannot so quickly relinquish the old manner. Your military good holds its place in my mind notwithstanding your civic glory, & whenever I do abandon the title which used to distinguish you I shall do it with awkwardness. The affectionate and decided regard...
198To James Madison from Henry Lee, 8 January 1792 (Madison Papers)
I have your two letters Decr. 18h. & Jany. 1st. In the first you mention having given to Mr. Frenau my letter to him enclosing a list of some subscribers to his gazette. I lately saw one or two of the gentlemen who have not yet recd. their papers. What can this be owing to? The disaster in the West is it seems from all accounts without alleviation. Painful indeed to my mind is the recollection...
199To George Washington from Henry Lee, 14 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
Plain & evident as is the wise policy of neutrality on the part of the U. States during the present European war, I find that, the papers teem with publications reprobatory of this system. If I am to judge of the feelings & disposition of the people of the U.S. from what I beleive to be the temper of Virginia on this question, I can not doubt that nine tenths of America applaud the policy...
200To James Madison from Henry Lee, 19 July 1807 (Madison Papers)
We seem to be passing the threshold of War. I fear it is inevitable. Therefore we ought to be prepared. There are two sorts of preparation necessary, first to hasten every mean of offence when necessary, & of defence always necessary, within our means. Pass not over the moment of Zeal (if war must come) to engage an adequate force for the contest. You not only secure the issue by so doing, but...
201To James Madison from Henry Lee, 19 October 1786 (Madison Papers)
In our letter of this date to the Assembly you will know our sentiments on the interesting subject of finance. I am persuaded if the suggestions meet the approbation of the Legislature and any plans calculated on the principles of our letter, should be properly executed much good will accrue to the state. We omitted one subject which involves the respectability of our country viz that of a...
202To James Madison from Henry Lee, 10 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
I have not heard from you for a long time but often hear of you. All ranks of people within my observation seem highly pleased with the govt. since its commencement & reckon far too much on the benefits which it may produce—these expectations will meet with disappointment, which may create chagrin in the public mind & renew clamor. The president is dear to the citizens beyond parralel or...
203To James Madison from Henry Lee, 19 November 1788 (Madison Papers)
I wrote to you when I was here last month relative to our project of union in the purchase of the great falls. To this letr. I have as yet received no reply. Mr. Arthur Lee tells me that he left you in Philada. unwell. With respect to the suggested purchase I am more & more persuaded, that it is worthy of our best attention, & that judicious conduct of the business will ensure to us early,...
204To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Lee, 24 October 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
For many sessions past has the General Assembly of this Commonwealth turned their attention towards the establishment of the boundary line between North Carolina and this State. In the course of the last year the Executive received from the Governor of North Carolina the enclosed proceedings of the Legislature of that state and communicated the same to the General Assembly. In consequence...
205To James Madison from Henry Lee, 8 September 1789 (Madison Papers)
The last ler. I got from you shewed the little leisure you possessed, & together with other considerations induced me to decline for a time writing to you. Indeed occupied with matters of a private nature only, I am out of the habit of communication as well as conversation with political affairs. In my tour in the upper country for Mrs Lee[’]s health, I have as much as in my power attended to...
206Opinion in Controversy between Joseph Jones and William Lee, 26 June 1784 (Madison Papers)
A dispute between Mr. Joseph Jones of King George and Mr. William Lee being mutually referred to us: We are of opinion that Mr. Jones never was an enemy to the payment of British or other debts: We are also of opinion that Mr. Lee’s inference respecting the opposition of Mr. Jones to the payment of debts, was founded on Mr. Jones’ support to the prohibitory laws revived last session of...
207To James Madison from the Governor of Virginia, 6 December 1793 (Madison Papers)
In obedience to the direction of the General Assembly I transmit a copy of the resolutions passed by that honorable body respecting the late unexpected decision of the supreme Court of the United States which asserts that Court’s right of Jurisdiction in all controversies wherein a State may be a party, and I flatter myself that the request of the General Assembly will receive from you firm...