71From George Washington to Major General Charles Lee, 27 January 1778 (Washington Papers)
I last night received your favor of the 30th Ulto. It gave me great pleasure to hear that you were released from your confined situation and permitted so many indulgencies. You may rest assured that I feel myself very much interested in your welfare, and that every exertion has been used on my part to effect your Exchange. This I have not been able to accomplish, However from the Letters which...
72To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 13 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have reason to hope that the Congress will unembarrass the negotiation of the Commissioners with respect to a general exchange of Prisoners of all matter which I myself think foreign to the purpose, and that I shall be soon at liberty to take an active post—but I cou’d wish that They wou’d be a little more expeditious—tho We cannot expect expedition from democratic councils—it is a curse...
73From George Washington to Major General Charles Lee, 22 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
Mr Boudinot, at Comy Lorings request, met at German town yesterday; from whence he is just returned, after having agreed on a final exchange of yourself and other Officers with that Gentleman. That delay may not produce danger, I shall send in a flag tomorrow for your parole—when obtained, I shall most cordially, and sincerely, congratulate you on your restoration to your Country, and to the...
74To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 28 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
You may better imagine than I can express the happiness which your letter gave me, tho at the time I receiv’d it, which was the night before last, there was some little drawback on my happiness—viz. a small attack of the gout, with indications of it’s being a severe fit, but by three doses of what Lord Chatham calls the great American Panacea, I find myself so much better and the indications...
75From George Washington to Major General Charles Lee, 30 May–18 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
Poors, Varnums, & Huntingtons Brigades are to March in one division under your Command to the North River. The Quarter Master General will give you the rout, Incampments, & halting days to which you will conform as strictly as possible to prevent interfering with other Troops and that I may know precisely your situation every day. Leave as few sick & lame on the road as possible such as are...
76To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 30 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I observ’d before to your Excellency that the merit and strong recommendations of sevral of the Foreign Gentlemen now Candidates for commissions in the American Service, but above all a deference and respect for a Court and Nation for the generous part They have ⟨ mutilated ⟩ted renders it incumbent on the Congress to make ⟨fav⟩ourable satisfactory provision particularly for the French—on the...
77To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 15 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
As your time must necessarily be taken up by more and a greater variety of busyness than perhaps ever was impos’d on the Shoulders of any one Mortal, the most clear simple and agreeable method of communicating my sentiments on any matters of importance must certainly be by throwing em on paper. You will have more leisure to weigh and consider the stregnth or weakness of my arguments—and I...
78From George Washington to Major General Charles Lee, 15 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Letter of this date, and thank you, as I shall do any Officer over whom I have the honor to be placed for his opinion and advice, in matters of importance; especially when they proceed from the fountain of candor, & not from a captious spirit, or an itch for criticism. No man can be more sensible of the defects of our present arrangement than I am—No man more sensible of...
79To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 18 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
1st As the Enemy are suppos’d already to have transported their stores &cc. over the River—and as Philadelphia is peculiarly circumstancd to secure their rear from any considerable annoyance—an attack upon ’em coud answer no important end altho ever so successfull, but perhaps might furnish a pretext for setting fire to that noble City—I shoud therefore think any attack upon ’em highly...
80To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 22 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
About eleven miles from Head Quarters and eight miles from this Camp is a most admirable position for the whole Army either in two or one line—it’s left is coverd by Stony Brook—it’s front Clear, excepting to the front of the right where is a strong wood and mill dam where it will be proper to throw a brigade a strong Brigade or two shoud occupy likewis a Wood on the right—it’s situation is...