51To 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...
52To George Washington from Henry Lee, 16 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
Richmond, Va., 16 Feb. 1792. Transmits an extract of a letter from Mr. Taylor, one of the commissioners of the marine hospital at Norfolk, Virginia. LS , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , Vi : Executive Letter Book. The enclosed extract has not been found. On 8 Dec. 1791 James Taylor sent Gov. Henry Lee a statement of the accounts of the commissioners of the marine hospital at Norfolk,...
53To George Washington from Henry Lee, 7 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
you will suppose I apprehend that I am rather too solicitous for your possession of the aid of art in threshing out your crops of wheat, when the moment I have understood that the wheat mill will not be adopted by you, I should renew your attention to this subject by informing you, that two english farmers have just arrived here with a model of the machine invented in scotland for threshing...
54To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Lee, [22 August 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
Mr Cox was about taking to you my riding horse, but my apprehension of yr. necessary hurry & my wish to compare him with a horse I have sent for, concluded a procrastination of my execution of your request & my ardent desire. No other consideration could have induced me to postpone a measure you reckon essential to your health. Nor shall time be lost in presenting you with this trivial...
55To George Washington from Henry Lee, 27 October 1792 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Henry Lee, 27 Oct. 1792. Henry Knox wrote Lee on 3 Nov. 1792 explaining that GW “has directed me to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency’s Letter to him of the 27th ultimo.” For Knox’s letter to Lee, see Knox to GW, 3 Nov. 1792, n.1 .
56To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Lee, 3 July 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The preservation of the relative importance of Virginia among her sister states must be held highly consequential to her future interests, whether fate shall allot to America undisturbed felicity, or difficultys dangers and vicissitudes. The idea you suggested relative to a purchase of a tract of land contiguous to Lake Erie and Beaver creek is certainly worthy of every consideration, and if...
57To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Lee, 7 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, 7 June 1793 . If TJ can give letters of introduction to the bearer, Mr. Livingston, a very worthy man and good citizen who proposes to visit France in order to establish personal and commercial connections, he might give essential help to a truly respectable man who, as a result of the part he took in the late war, sacrificed a very large fortune in Jamaica. RC ( DLC ); 2 p.;...
58To James Madison from Henry Lee, 23 January 1794 (Madison Papers)
I had the pleasure my dear sir to receive your letter by Mr. Adair & shall pay every attention to that gentleman. He seems to be a man of letters & a man of worth. We hear nothing here but what must be known to you. A report has prevailed for some days past that Mr. Randolph is appointed Secretary of State, Lewis Attorney general & Mr Genet recalled. The conduct of the latter gentleman is so...
59To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Lee, 23 June 1792 (Hamilton Papers)
I cannot so well execute Mr. Randolph’s desire as by enclosing his letter to me. Whatever he has said in favor of Mr. Johnston may be reckoned on with certainty. It has been a long time since I have heard from you, tho daily I hear of you: commended by some, condemned by others—sometimes you are mounted to the skys on the wings of fame, again whisked into the infernal pit. I have withdrawn...
60To 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...
61To James Madison from Henry Lee, 22 December 1791 (Madison Papers)
Mr James Marshall brother to our friend John is about going to London on business very important to himself. Proper introductory letters will be very necessary to him especially to characters political & commercial. For it may happen that the interposition of the first may be necessary to remove some difficultys which he apprehends. You know the merit of the family, the excellence of Mr. John...
62To George Washington from Henry Lee, c.24 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
General Lee returns herewith the paper which the President was pleased to give to him last evening—He has derived great pleasure from its perusal as it presents a complete refutation of all the charges exhibited agst govt by mr adet & breathes throughout a spirit of moderation & friendship which ought to produce the happiest effects. AL , DLC:GW . At this time, Lee represented Westmoreland...
63To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Lee, 7 October 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
I heard of your illness, with pain I heard of your repulse in n jersey, of your consternating Mr. Mrs Morris & above all the angelic Miss Morris in their retreat with wonder. I wished for your return to health with affectionate sincerity, & I feel astonished at the recollection of this wish, in as much as you seemed to me long ago beset with trouble, & I have ever held death a sleep ending in...
64To George Washington from Henry Lee, 20 June 1792 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to make known to You the bearer hereof Mr Williams a portrait painter. This gentleman is an American citizen, is of good character and is considered as possessing great natural talents in his line. Of the last fact I am too inadequate a judge for to venture my own opinion. He has a singular solicitude to be permitted to take your portrait and therefore has asked from me a letter of...
65To 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...
66To 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...
67To James Madison from Henry Lee, 25 November 1789 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Burnley will convey this letr. by some one of the many of your county people now here with their tobacco. In it you will receive a letr. sent to me from Alexa. by Mr C Lee on the presumption that you was or would be here. The assembly have gone thro most of their business, & are now engaged in consideration of the amendments proposed by Congress, to the constitution. Some time ago Mr....
68To George Washington from Henry Lee, 19 November 1794 (Washington Papers)
Major Morgan who acted in capacity of aid de camp with me during the expedition placed under my direction will have the honor to present this letter. He is a most amiable youth & I am persuaded worthy of your polite attention. I beg leave therefore to solicit it in his behalf & to recommend him as perfectly qualified from the part he has taken with the army to give to you information on any...
69To George Washington from Henry Lee, 24 June 1794 (Washington Papers)
I consider myself very fortunate in arriving here at the same time that you did as I shall have the unexpected pleasure of seeing you. Presuming that your stay will be short & knowing how much you will be engaged in your farm business, I beg leave to ask what day this week will be most convenient for you to be seeen & to present the most sincere respects of your devoted & affec: friend I have...
70To George Washington from Henry Lee, 16 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 7th instant, which will be communicated to the general Assembly. In the confidence that the most recent accounts of the action of the 4th of November would be acceptable, I transmitted a letter addressed to me by Captain Rogers detailing the events of that day, as represented in Kentucky when he left the District. By a...
71To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Lee, 4 October 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The intelligence contained in the letter from the British Consul at Norfolk of the 26th. ultimo, was repeated to me in letters of the same date from the Collector at that Port and from the Commandant of the Militia. They were submitted to the United States Attorney for this district , who did not consider the Privateer Republic as violating the established Neutrality. His opinion was forwarded...
72To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Lee, 16 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The enclosed resolution of the G. assembly I very much wish to see fitly and ingeniously executed and feel a thorough sterility of genius on the subject. Nor have I been able to obtain aid here. Thus circumstanced I resort to your goodness and pray you will be pleased to favor me with a plan. The execution can be effected in this city. I have the honor to be Sr with every sentiment of the...
73To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Lee, 8 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I did my self the honor to write to the President of the United States, a few days past relative to the defenceless situation of Norfolk and beg leave now to forward to you, for his information, a copy of a letter received from Colonel Newton. Your letter of the 26th. of April is come to hand and will be duely regarded. I have the honor to be sir with perfect respect your most ob: sert. RC (...
74To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Lee, 2 September 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
I am extremely chagrined on finding from your private letter accompanying your public letter that the intended secrecy is entirely baffled as it respected the call on me to take care of the insurgents. Being absent from Richmond on a visit to the forts at Norfolk, the public letr. was opened by the Lt. Govenor & there being no injunction of secrecy on it, The purport was divulged without...
75To 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...
76To 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...
77To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Lee, 23 March 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
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...
78To 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...
79To George Washington from Henry Lee, 13 February 1794 (Washington Papers)
Some time ago on a rumour that the collector for the rappahannock district was about to decline his office I took the liberty to bring to your view Mr Francis Brook as a gentleman extremely well qualified in my opinion for that office. I mentioned then the reasons which influenced my judgement & inclination, & will not now detain your time by a repetition of them. Persuaded you will consult...
80To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Lee, 12 April 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
I had the honor to receive your letter of the 22d. Ultimo and submitted the same to the Council of State. In conformity with their advice, I have given directions to the proper officer of this Commonwealth to Supply the loan officer of the United States with the information requested. Some doubts arise with respect to the propriety of the measure adopted, but our Solicitude to prevent any...
81To 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...
82To George Washington from Henry Lee, 9 October 1795 (Washington Papers)
A report from Norfolk announcing the arrival of a corvette there, with letters of recal of the French minister in consequence of our treaty with G. Britain is circulating with much confidence. I cannot think so illy of the wisdom & justice of the french republic as to credit the tale & in my own mind I class it among those daily inventions which charecterize the agitators of our country: yet I...
83To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Lee, [16 November 1789] (Hamilton Papers)
The letr. sent to your care, be pleased to return. Your undertaking is truely arduous but I trust as you progress in the work, difficulty will vanish. From your situation you must be able to form with some certainty an opinion concerning the domestic debt. Will it speedily rise, will the interest accruing command specie or any thing nearly as valuable, what will become of the indents already...
84To George Washington from Henry Lee , 3 September 1794 (Washington Papers)
Altho I have had near two days to reflect on the purport of the letr received from the secretary of the treasury on the first instant, I confess I am not yet releived from the agitation of mind produced by that communication. My greif for the necessity of pointing the bayonet against the hearts of our countrymen is equalled only by my conviction of the wisdom of your decision to compel...
85To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Lee, 19 August 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Richmond, August 19, 1794. On August 27, 1794, Hamilton wrote to Lee : “I have … received your letter to me of the 19th.” Letter not found. ] Lee was governor of Virginia.
86To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Lee, 6 May [1793] (Hamilton Papers)
I had your letter delivered to me last evening & feel myself hurt at the suggestions it contains concerning your own situation. Knowing you as I do I should ever give to your political conduct the basis of truth honor & love of country however I might have differed from you on some measures. When therefore I feel undiminished regard to you, I cannot help lamenting the misery to which you...
87To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Lee, 6 March 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Use your first leisure & tell me all the political news, especially whether it is possible that Congress mean to pick a quarrel with G. B. An alarm on this subject affects many here. Is it not better to bear temporary evils & by negotiation to diminish or dismiss them, than with a view to releive ourselves from them to plunge ourselves into the miserys of war? If our councillors be so lost to...
88To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Lee, 23 July 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
The General Assembly in their last Session, passed a resolution and address congratulating the National Assembly of France on their late Arduous Struggle for the melioration of their nation. I am at a loss how to convey these papers and to whom to address them, whether to the president of the National Assembly, or to the Monarch. Be so good to favour me with your information and Council. I...
89To George Washington from Henry Lee, 2 May 1793 (Washington Papers)
The very defenceless Situation of the town of Norfolk and its proximity to the Sea invites the insult and injury of any adventuring pirate who may find it convenient to make the attempt. I cannot therefore forbear Suggesting the propriety of placing that town and post in a state of defence fitted to protect it from those injuries to which alone it can be exposed So long as the wise policy...
90To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Lee, 18 September 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
It has been deemed proper by this Government to direct Vessels coming from Philadelphia, the Grenades and Tobago to perform quarentine. The officers of the Customs might contribute to the due execution of the regulations prescribed by giving to the Superintendants of Quarantine every information which may reach them concerning the apprehended disorder on the Arrival of Vessels from the...
91To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Lee, 12 August 1791 (Hamilton Papers)
Our parting conversation has deeply employed my mind & I continue to lament exceedingly the existence of any event which puts us even politically opposite. No man is more warmly attached to his friends than I am; among the first of whom my heart places you. I thoroughly confide in the unstained purity of your principles, altho I feel enmity to the measures flowing from them. I am solicitous...
92To 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...
93To 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...
94To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Lee, [18 October 1791] (Hamilton Papers)
My assiduity has been exercised to procure for you a riding horse ever since my return. My success has not been equal to my hopes, & indeed it is not easy to accomodate you with a horse as you require one very gentle, which is not commonly a quality to be found in horses of the best sort. Mr Giles will deliver you the best I could get, & I beleive among the safest & most agreable that this...
95To George Washington from Henry Lee, 26 September 1792 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Henry Lee, 26 Sept. 1792. GW wrote Henry Lee on 30 Sept. : “I was favored with your letter of the 26th instt.”
96To George Washington from Henry Lee, 16 April 1792 (Washington Papers)
Richmond, 16 April 1792. Transmits a “copy of a letter sent to me by Colonel Arthur Campbell of the county of Washington as it may perhaps convey information useful to you.” LB , Vi : Executive Letter Book. The original enclosure has not been found, but it was most likely Arthur Campbell’s letter to Lee of 2 Mar. 1792 that reports: “Some indication of resistence seems to be given in the S. W....
97To George Washington from Henry Lee, 24 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
Permit me to tell you that I have waited to the last moment in my power in the fond hope of seeing you. My necessitys force me away this day, or the satisfaction I covet, should not be lost. Deprived of what is so grateful to my feelings, I must use this mode of manifesting my happiness on your second return to our native state, on the confirmed health you enjoy, and on the lasting affection...
98To George Washington from Henry Lee, 7 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to transmit herewith a Resolution of the General Assembly with respect to certain Lands located by the Officers and Soldiers of the Virginia line under the Laws of this Commonwealth, and since ceded to the Chickasaw Indians, together with a Report of a Committee of the House of Delegates on the same subject. Permit me Sir, to express my hope that some general regulations...
99To Alexander Hamilton from Henry Lee, 30 September 1789 (Hamilton Papers)
Least my brother should have returned I take the liberty of asking your safe delivery of the two lets. enclosed & any reply which may be given to you for me. At the same time let me present my hearty gratulations on the proper honor you have received from our country. I anticipate good to the public & new lustre to my friend notwithstanding the obstinate difficultys & embarrassments which...