1To John Adams from Charles Lee, 19 November 1775 (Adams Papers)
I receiv’d your obliging letter and cannot express the pleasure I feel in standing so high in your opinion as without flattery I esteem you a Man of excellent judgment and a singular good heart. Some of the queries You offer to my consideration are perhaps above my sphere, but in a post or two I shou’d endeavour to answer ’em, had I not hopes of conversing with You soon in propria persona. I...
2To John Adams from Charles Lee, 5 October 1775 (Adams Papers)
As you may possibly harbour some suspicions that a certain passage in your intercepted letters have made some disagreeable impressions on my mind I think it necessary to assure You that it is quite the reverse. Untill the bulk of Mankind is much alter’d I consider your the reputation of being whimsical and eccentric rather as a panegyric than sarcasm and my love of Dogs passes with me as a...
3To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Lee, 10 December 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I find that Gates has sent you a copy of my letter; I hope that is correct as I am desirous it shou’d be printed, on condition it meets with your approbation. The other too (Ld. Thanet) you may likewise publish, but I cou’d wish that his Lordship’s name shou’d be omitted and that the title shou’d be General Lee’s letter to a noble Lord. We are all here a...
4To Benjamin Franklin from Charles Lee, 6 November 1776 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Archives The Gentleman who will deliver you this was as I understand sent by Congress to General Washington. He was to have given specimens of his abilities as Engineer and been recommended accordingly. Whether He is a great Engineer or no I cannot pretend to say, as He has had no fair opportunity of displaying his talents. The few small works He has thrown up have been in...
5To John Jay from Charles Lee, 27 February 1779 (Jay Papers)
The negative put by Congress on my request to avail myself of Capt Tolty’s friendship and Sir Henry Clintons kindness throws me into the most serious distress—when I wrote from Elizabeth Town to Colonel Butler on this subject supposing him to be at N. York, I had reason to believe that the only difficulty I shoud have to combat with woud arise from Sir Henry Clinton, not from Congress, as I...
6To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Lee, 7 August 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The Act of the Commonwealth of Virginia “for calling in and redeeming the Money now in circulation, and for emitting and funding new bills of Credit according to the resolution of Congress of the 18th. of March last,” has been submitted to the consideration of the Board, and is ordered to remain in this Office for their Direction. They are happy in informing you that the States of New...
7To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 26 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
I am extremely glad that Morris is so far recover’d that there is a probability of his leaving Philadelphia Where I left him (as I thought) in a very bad way from the effects of his Southern expedition—I have the sincerest love and affection for him—his excellent qualities, his good sense and integrity must endear him to evrybody who knows him—Eustace I consider as my adopted Son. considering...
8To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 8 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Colonel Hampton will give you a return of the Militia already assembled and of those (if it can be call’d a return) expected—the whole will as it is said make by tomorrow morning one thousand—my Corps that pass’d the N. River will amount (for We are considerably diminish’d) to seven and twenty hundred—in fact our Army may be estimated at four thoushand—If I was not taught to think that your...
9To 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...
10To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 14 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
I shou’d have written to you more constantly but really had no means of conveying my letter—a Mr Buchanan and Tolby bound for head Quarters will deliver You this—You will excuse the conciseness as my time is short—The Governor and Capt. of Man of War had threaten’d perdition to the Town if the Cannon was remov’d from the Batteries and wharfs, but I ever considerd their threats as a Brutum...
11To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 1 July 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have the happiness to congratulate You on a very signal success (if I may not call it a victory) which We have gain’d over the mercernary Instruments of the British Tyrant—I shall not trouble you with a detail of their manœuvres or delays—but defer it to another time when I have more leisure to write and you to attend—let it suffice that having lost an opportunity (such as I hope will never...
12To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 9 February 1777 (Washington Papers)
As Lord and General Howe have given me permission to send the inclosd to the Congress, and as the contents are of the last importance to me and perhaps not less to the Community, I most earnestly entreat, My Dr General, that You will despatch it immediately and order the Express to be as expeditious as possible —They have likewise indulgd me with the permission of sending for one of my Aid de...
13To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 5 April 1776 (Washington Papers)
I most sincerely congratulate you, I congratulate the Public on the great and glorious event—your possession of Boston—it will be a most bright page in the annals of America, and a most abominable black one in those of the Beldam Britain—go on, My Dr General, crown yourself with glory and establish the liberties and lustre of your Country on a foundation more permanent than the Capitol Rock—my...
14To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 26 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
It never was my idea to leave the Highlands unguarded but only for expedition sake that Heath shou’d detach two thoushand of his Corps immediately over the River and to replace these two thoushand by the same number the most lightly accoutred from this Body here ’till the main Body with their baggage Cannon &cc. coud move—I conceiv’d this movement cou’d be attended with no risk as He has now...
15To 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...
16To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 11 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
We have three thoushand Men here at present but They are so ill shod that We have been oblig’d to halt these two days for want of shoes—seven Regiments of Gates’s Corps are on their march but where They actually are is not certain —General Lee has sent two Officers this day—one to inform him where the Delawaer can be cross’d above Trenton—the other to examine the road towards Burlington as...
17To George Washington from Charles Lee, 24 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
Colonel Butler (whose letter Your Excellency had the kindness to transmit to me) is one of the oldest and dearest Friends I have in the world—my duty to so staunch a Friend, my inclinations and my interests concur to make me ardently desirous of having an interview with him before He embarks for England—I believe this Gentleman has an intention to purchase and settle in America—with your leave...
18To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 19 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
The recommendation of General Green which you transmited to me threw the Officers to whom I communicated it into so great a flame of discontent that I ventur’d notwithstanding your orders to hesitate—They accus’d him of partiallity to his connexions and Townsmen to the prejudice of men of manifestly superior merit[.] indeed it appears from the concurrent testimony of unbias’d Persons that some...
19To 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...
20To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 30 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of addressing my letter by Col. Fitzgerald to your Excellency I have reflected on both your situation and mine, and beg leave to observe that it will be for our mutual convenience that a Court of inquiry should be immediately ordered—but I could wish it might be a court martial—for if the affair is drawn into length it may be difficult to collect the necessary evidences,...
21To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 15 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
Major French whom I have met with at Hartford, is extremely solicitous for permission to return home, as He is confident that his whole fortunes depend upon his being immediately on the spot with his Friends at this instant as He is, I believe, a Man of strict honour his Parole not to serve for a given time against the Freedom of America wou’d be sufficient security—and as He has a Family to...
22To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 23 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
A Gentleman whose name is Banister (as silly a Gentleman perhaps as lives) is accused by his Country men the People of Newport, of being a most violent Tory—I believe He is neither whig nor Tory, but an eater and drinker—it is in my opinion not worth troubling You with him—but I am oblig’d through complacency to the Corps herein, to refer him to your Excellency ⟨The⟩y will I suppose bring...
23To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 29 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am now so far recover’d tho far from well, that I shall set out in two days —the stripping Ticonderora so intirely of it’s heavy Cannon is a most unfortunate circumstance, as the transportation of ’em from this place is a busyness of monstrous difficulties expence and labour—The Congress have as yet not taken the least step for the security of this place—the instant I leave it, I conclude...
24To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 5 April 1777 (Washington Papers)
It is a most unfortunate circumstance for myself and I think not less for the Publick that the Congress have not thought proper to comply with my request—it cou’d not possibly have been attended with any ill consequences, and might with good ones at least it was an indulgence which I thought my situation entitled me to—but I am unfortunate in all things and this stroke is the severest I have...
25To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 5–6 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
I arriv’d here yesterday but not without some difficulty—my disorder encreas’d rather than diminish’d, so that I was under the necessity of being carried in a litter a considerable part of the way. I consider it as a piece of the greatest good Fortune that the Congress have detach’d a Committee to this place—otherwise I shou’d have made a most ridiculous figure, besides bringing upon myself...
26To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 4 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am just return’d from Suffolk and the Posts below, and the Post is just going out; so that this must rather be consider’d as an apology for not writing than as a letter—in a few days I shall set out for Carolina, but before I set out shall send you a full description of our state and situation —We want arms Medcines and blankets most cruelly indeed We want some Battalions—I wish, Dr General...
27To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 16 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
We have been so baffled by the weather that We only arriv’d here last night—I believe We shall find no difficulties in procuring a sufficient body of Volunteers for the N. York expedition—the unhappy accounts from Canada seem to animate these People rather than depress—indeed We have now occasion for exertion and decision—I am apprehensive that the Congress must be inspir’d by You They have...
28To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 8 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
Major Hoops has just deliver’d to me your Excellencys letter —I am extremely shock’d to hear that your force is so inadequate to the necessity of your situation—as I had been taught to think you had been considerably reenforc’d—your last letters proposing a plan of surprises and forc’d marches convincd me that there was no danger of your being oblig’d to pass the Delawar in consequence of...
29To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 12 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
This instant came express from Colonel Tupper (station’d opposite to Dob’s Ferry) one David Keech—the substance of his intelligence is as follows—that The Enemy began their march at 9 this morning down the River with their baggage Artillery &ca—that the Man of War and two Store Ships had just set sail and were making down—I mean those which came up last—that Three Ships still lye off Terrytown...
30To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 3 March 1776 (Washington Papers)
My destination is alterd—instead of going to Canada I am appointed to Command to the Southward—there has been a great promotion of Brig’r Generals—Armstrong[,] Thompson, Lewis, Moore[,] Stirling and Howe are the six—four are to serve under my orders viz. Armstrong Lewis Moore and Howe —as I am the only General Officer on the Continent who can speak and think in French I confess I think it...
31To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 30 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
As I have the strongest reason to flatter myself that you interest yourself in whatever concerns my comfort and welfare I think it my duty to inform you that my condition is much better’d—it is now four or five days that I am on my parole, have the full liberty of the City and its limits, have horses at my command furnish’d by S’r Henry Clinton and General Robinson—am lodg’d with two of the...
32To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 24 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Orders and shall endeavour to put ’em in execution, but question much whether I shall be able to carry wth me any considerable number, not so much from a want of zeal in the men, as from their wretched condition with respect to shoes, stockings, blankets, &c which the present bad weather renders more intolerable I sent Heath orders to transport two thousand men across the...
33To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 10 May 1776 (Washington Papers)
The most compendious method to give you an idea of the state of your Province is to inclose to you the result of a Council of Officers every article of which is approv’d by your Convention —We have just receivd an express from N. Carolina informing us of the arrival of eight large Transports in Cape Fear River on the whole containing as it is suppos’d, about two thousand Men—I had before, on a...
34To 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...
35To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 4 December 1776 (Washington Papers)
I have receiv’d your pressing letter —since which intelligence was sent me that you had quitted Brunswick—so that it is impossible to know where I can join you—but ⟨a⟩ltho I shou’d not be able to join you at all the service which I can render you will I hope be full as efficacious[.] the Northern Army has already advanced nearer Morris Town than I am—I shall put myself at their head...
36To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 5 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
The consequences of the Enemy’s possessing themselves of New York have appear’d to me so terrible that I have scarcely been able to sleep from apprehensions on the subject—these apprehensions daily increase—You have it in your power at present to prevent this dreadfull event—if I do not mistake, the Congress have given you authority to take any step in that place as well as here which you...
37To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 27 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I did not receive your order to halt until the head of the Detachment was within a mile of English Town Creek —I immediately halted on the receipt—indeed it was not my intention to proceed further than the first brook or Water—I have taken a tolerable strong Post in the wood where I shall wait for further orders—unless the expediency of making some movement is so forcible as to oblige me—I the...
38To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 25 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
When I first assented to the Marquis of Fayette’s taking the command of the present detachment, I confess I viewd it in a very different light than I do at present I considerd it as a more proper busyness of a Young Volunteering General than of the Second in command in the Army—but I find that it is considerd in a different manner; They say that a Corps consisting of six thoushand Men, the...
39To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 24 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
It was unnecessary sooner to trouble you with my scrowl—as I cou’d give you no information, the least interesting[.] I find the People through this Province more alert and zealous than my most sanguine expectation—I believe I might have collected ten thoushand Volunteers—I take only four Companies with me and Waterbury’s Regt which is so happily situated on the frontier—Wards Regt I have...
40To 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...
41To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 30 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
From the knowledge I have of your Excys character—I must conclude that nothing but the misinformation of some very stupid, or misrepresentation of some very wicked person coud have occasioned your making use of so very singular expressions as you did on my coming up to the ground where you had taken post —They implyed that I was guilty either of disobedience of orders, of want of conduct, or...
42To George Washington from Maj. Gen. Charles Lee, 20 November 1776 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Maj. Gen. Charles Lee, 20 Nov. 1776. GW wrote Lee on 24 Nov. : “I have received your favor of the 20th.”
43To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 7 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
Multiplicity of busyness the miscarriage of letters or some accident has prevented you from doing what really is in my opinion an act of justice—I mean clearing up to the world the charge brought against Lord Drummond for a breach of Parole; after having read all the Papers relative to this subject, his letters to you, yours to him, Capt. Vanderputs and the Parole —I declare solemnly that it...
44To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 19 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
I am extremely happy that there is any open[ing] for a more comfortable establishment for poor Palfry than his present—He is a valuable and capable Man, and the pittance of a simple Aid de Campship is wretched for a Man who has a family to support—on this principle and in obedience to your commands I shall send him to Head Quarters without delay —I must at the same time confess that the loss...
45To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 30 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I beg your Excellency’s pardon for the inaccuracy in misdating my letter —you cannot afford me greater pleasure than in giving me the opportunity of shewing to America the sufficiency of her respective servants—I trust that temporary power of office and the tinsel dignity attending it will not be able by all the mists they can raise to affuscate the bright rays of truth, in the mean time your...
46To 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...
47To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 30 November 1776 (Washington Papers)
I receiv’d yours last night dated the 27th from Newark—You complain of my not being in motion sooner—I do assure you that I have done all in my power and shall explain my difficulties when We have both leisure—I did not succeed with Rogers and merely owing to the timidity or caution of the Enemy who contracted themselves into a compact body very suddenly—I am in hopes I shall be able to render...
48To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 15 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
As I understand the Army is soon to move and it certainly will be very awkward for a Man in my circumstances to be oblig’d to attend it, I shall think my self very much oblig’d to your Excellency for permission to go to Philadelphia, I shou’d not be so desirous of this indulgence, if I had not been made to believe that it yet may be a considerable time, before my affair is brought to a final...