1From George Washington to Henry Lee, 11 January 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 26th Ulo has been received, & nothing from you since; which is embarrassing to me in the extreme; for not only the nomination of Ch——f J——but an As——te J——dge and Se——y of W—— are depending upon the answer I expected. And what renders the want of it more unfortunate, if any thing can add to my present perplexity on the occasion is, that the first Monday in next month which...
2From John Jay to Henry Lee, 11 July 1795 (Jay Papers)
Accept my cordial thanks for the friendly Congratulations expressed in your obliging Letter of the 30 of last month, which I rec d . Yesterday— It was obvious to me when I embarked on my late mission, that so many Circumstances combined to render pacific arrangements with Great Britain unwelcome to certain Politicians and their Partizans both here and elsewhere, that their approbation of any...
3From Alexander Hamilton to Henry Lee, 19 December 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, December 19, 1794. On December 31, 1794, Lee wrote to Hamilton and referred to “your favor of the 19th. Decr.” Letter not found. ]
4From Alexander Hamilton to Henry Lee, 13 November 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
If it has not been already done, I beg leave to recommend, that the routes of the troops under your command back to their respective homes and the place of discharge be immediately fixed and notified to the heads of the respective Staff Departments; in order that the requisite provision of every kind may be timely made. I will also thank you for a correspondent communication to me that the...
5From Alexander Hamilton to Henry Lee, 20 October 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
I have it in special instruction from the President of the United States, now at this place, to convey to you on his behalf, the following instructions for the general direction of your conduct in the command of the Militia army, with which you are charged. The objects for which the militia have been called forth are. 1. To suppress the combinations which exist in some of the western counties...
6From George Washington to Henry Lee, 20 October 1794 (Washington Papers)
Being about to retur⟨n⟩ to the seat of Government, I cannot t⟨ake⟩ my departure without conveying thro⟨ugh⟩ you to the Army under your command, t⟨he⟩ very high sense I entertain of the enlightened and patriotic zeal for the Constitution and the Laws, which has led them ⟨so⟩ chearfully to quit their families and home⟨s⟩ and the comforts of private life, to undertake, and thus far to perform, a...
7From Alexander Hamilton to Henry Lee, 4 October [1794] (Hamilton Papers)
There is something about our friend Smith that perplexes and distresses me. I cannot suppose any thing wrong yet it is certain that he has done nothing but paint black from the beginning. However the force of Maryland may be suffered to melt away it is a consolation that a sufficient force will be had elsewhere. Smith is mistaken when he supposes Pensylvania will do nothing. She has now on the...
8From Alexander Hamilton to Henry Lee, 3 September 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
War Department, September 3, 1794. “As it will be highly necessary that the Militia called out by order of the President, agreeably to the Secretary of War’s letter of the 7. of August last, should be mustered and inspected at their respective rendezvous, I have to request the favor of your Excellency to appoint some suitable character in your State to perform that service.…” LS , Archives...
9From Alexander Hamilton to Henry Lee, 27 August 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
Inclosed are duplicates of two letters which went by the last Post. I have since received your letter to me of the 19th. and I have seen one to the War Office which came by the last Post but which having been sent to the President, I have not now before me. If there should be any thing in it requiring an answer more than I have said in mine of the 25th. and may say in this—the next post will...
10From George Washington to Henry Lee, 26 August 1794 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 17th cam<e> duly to hand, and I thank you for its communications. As the Insurgents in the western counties of this State are resolved (as far as we have yet been able to learn from the Commissioners, who have been sent amongst them) to persevere in their rebellious conduct until what they call the Excise law is repealed; and Acts of oblivion & amnesty are passed; it gives me...
11From Alexander Hamilton to Henry Lee, 25 August 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
In place of The Secretary at War, who is absent, I am instructed by The President to signify to you his wish and request that you will come forth in the command of the Militia, which is to be detached from Virginia against the Insurgents in the Western parts of Pensylvania; in which case You will have the command of the whole force that may be employed upon that Enterprise. The President...
12From Alexander Hamilton to Henry Lee, 25 August 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
In consequence of information just received from the Commissioners sent to confer with the Insurgents in the Western parts of Pensylvania, who appear resolved to dictate a repeal of the laws, to which they object, and an act of amnesty and oblivion—and concerning whom The Commissioners give an express opinion that nothing but an exertion of the Physical strength of the Union will bring them to...
13From Alexander Hamilton to Henry Lee, 25 August 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, August 25, 1794. On September 2, 1794, Lee wrote to Hamilton : “I am extremely chagrined on finding from your private letter accompanying your public letter [of August 25, 1794] that the intended secrecy is entirely baffled.” Private letter not found. ] On August 26, 1794, George Washington wrote to Lee: “.… I shall refer you to letters from the War office, and to a private one...
14From Alexander Hamilton to Henry Lee, 21 August 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, August 21, 1794. “In the absence of The Secretary at War, I have the honor to acknowledge the Receipt of your letter to him of the 13th instant. The contents of it are such as were expected from your patriotism, from the steady zeal you have manifested for the support of the Government of the Union, and from the Chief Magistrate of a State, where the laws resisted are executed...
15From Alexander Hamilton to Henry Lee, 17 June 1794 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, June 17, 1794. On the back of a letter which Lee wrote to Hamilton on March 6, 1794 , Hamilton wrote: “Answered June 17th.” Letter not found. ]
16From James Madison to Henry Lee, 22 November 1793 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 22 November 1793. Offered for sale in Emily Driscoll Catalogue No. 8 (1949), item 58, which notes that the letter introduces James Makittrick Adair: “I ask your attentions for him … with an assurance that they will be both merited & repaid.” Acknowledged in Lee to JM, 23 Jan. 1794 .
17From George Washington to Henry Lee, 16 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
(Private) Dear Sir, Mount Vernon 16th Oct. 1793. Since my arrival at this place I have been favoured with your letters of the 17th ulto and 7th instt. For your kind attentions to me I pray you to receive my sincere acknowledgments. I have always (from the accounts given of it) entertained a high opinion of Colo. Taliaferro’s threshing Machine, but knew at the sametime I had no stream that...
18From George Washington to Henry Lee, 21 July 1793 (Washington Papers)
I should have thanked you at an earlier period for your obliging letter of the 14th ulto, had it not come to my hands a day or two only before I set out for Mount Vernon; and at a time when I was much hurried, and indeed very much perplexed with the disputes, Memorials and what not, with which the Government were pestered by one or other of the petulant representatives of the Powers at War....
19From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Lee, 17 July 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I was honored in due time with your favor of June 16. on the subject of an infectious disease supposed to be prevailing in the Windward islands, and the precautions necessary to be taken on our part. The absence of the President prevented it’s being immediately laid before him. That has been now done, and it is thought that no provision on the subject has been made by the laws of the general...
20From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Lee, 28 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I should much sooner have answered your favor of the 15th . of May on the subject of a Mace, by sending you the inclosed design of Dr. Thornton, whose taste and imagination are both good: but that I have not myself been satisfied with the introduction of the rattlesnake into the design. There is in Man as well as brutes, an antipathy to the snake, which renders it a disgusting object wherever...
21From Alexander Hamilton to Henry Lee, 22 June 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
There is no foundation, My Dear Sir, that I know of, for the Report of the Offence said to have [been] taken by the British Minister, in relation to the subject of my circular letter. No symptom of dissatisfaction on this score has appeared; nor, as I believe, exists. I presume, it is regarded as a measure, in which the Executive Government had no option. I need not tell you how much my ideas...
22From Alexander Hamilton to Henry Lee, 15 June 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, June 15, 1793. On the back of Lee’s letter to him of May 6, 1793 , Hamilton wrote: “Answered June 15.” Letter not found. ]
23From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Lee, 21 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been duly honored with your favor of May 8. covering the letter of Mr. Newton, and that of May 13. with the letter of the British consul at Norfolk and the information of Henry Tucker, all of which have been laid before the President. The putting the several harbours of the US. into a state of defence having never yet been the subject of deliberation and decision with the legislature,...
24From George Washington to Henry Lee, 6 May 1793 (Washington Papers)
(Private) Dear Sir, Philadelphia May 6th 1793. On Saturday last your favor of the 29th ulto was handed to me. My visit to Mount Vernon (intended to be short when I set out) was curtailed by the Declaration of War by France against Great Britain and Holland; for I foresaw in the moment information of that event came to me at that place the necessity for announcing the disposition of this...
25From Alexander Hamilton to Henry Lee, 22 March 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
It has been communicated to me that the Commonwealth of Virginia, by an act not long since passed, authorized the reissuing of Certain Certificates which had been redeemed by the operations of the Sinking Fund of that Commonwealth and that there is every probability that the certificates so reissued, or a considerable part of them, have been subscribed to the loan payable in the Debt of the...
26From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Lee, 11 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
On receipt of the letter with which you were pleased to honor me on the subject of the unsettled boundary between Virginia and the SouthWestern territory, I laid it before the President, who communicated it to Congress. A committee was thereupon appointed by the house of representatives who reported a proposition for authorising the President with the concurrence of the states of Virginia and...
27Memorandum for Henry Lee, 18 February 1793 (Washington Papers)
Memorandum for Govr Lee. G. Washington is one of a Company who took up, in or about the year 1762, all the ungranted land lying in the Great dismal Swamp; in the vicinity of Norfolk, Portsmouth & Suffolk; and holds two twenty one parts of the Interest therein. Forty thousand Acres of the interior and richest part of this Swamp has been (as the Subscriber is informed) patented in the names of...
28From George Washington to Henry Lee, 20 January 1793 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with your letter of the 6th instant, congratulatory on my re-election to the Chair of Government. A mind must be insensible indeed, not to be gratefully impressed by so distinguished, & honorable a testimony of public approbation & confidence: and, as I suffered my name to be contemplated on this occasion, it is more than probable that I should, for a moment, have...
29From George Washington to Henry Lee, 30 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
I was favored with your letter of the 26th instt enclosing one from Arthur Campbell Esqr—For the perusal of which I thank you. The information contained in it is extremely agreeable for it has brought the supposed dead to life, and a valuable man back to his Country again. I congratulate you on your return to Richmond in good health. In a few days I shall commence my journey for Philadelphia....
30From Alexander Hamilton to Henry Lee, [22 August 1792] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Philadelphia, August 22, 1792. On September 10, 1792, Lee wrote to Hamilton : “I found on my return from a visit … your letter of the 22d. Ult.” Letter not found. ] From 1792 to 1794 Lee was governor of Virginia.
31From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Lee, 13 August 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
It was not till yesterday that I was honored with the receipt of yours of July 23. or it should have been sooner answered.—I am of opinion that all communications between nations should pass through the channels of their Executives. However in the instance of condolance on the death of Doctr. Franklin , the letter from our General government was addressed to the President of the National...
32From James Madison to the Governor of Virginia, 22 July 1792 (Madison Papers)
The Report of which the inclosed is an authentic copy having been made to the House of Representatives, it is possible that the Executive may not have been furnished with it by the Senators of this State. I take the liberty therefore of forwarding it and am with the highest respect & esteem Your most Obedt. hble servant RC and enclosures ( Vi : Executive Papers). The enclosures are clerks’...
33From James Madison to Henry Lee, 22 July 1792 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 22 July 1792. Acknowledged in Lee to JM, 10 Sept. 1792 . A private letter in which JM suggests a meeting with Lee. Requests information on navigation in Virginia, probably in response to Jedidiah Morse’s inquiries (see JM to Morse, 15 Aug. 1792 ).
34From George Washington to Henry Lee, 3 July 1792 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 20th Ulto was presented to me yesterday by Mr Williams—who as a professional man—may, or may not be for ought I know, a luminary of the first magnitude. But to be frank, and I hope you will not be displeased with me for being so—I am so heartily tired of the attendance which from one cause or another has been given ⟨to⟩ these kind of people, that it is now more than two...
35From George Washington to Henry Lee, 30 June 1792 (Washington Papers)
(Private) Dear Sir, Philadelphia 30th June 1792. Your favor of the 15th came duly to hand, but at a time when I was much engaged with the Secretary of State in dispatching Mr Pinckney to the Court of London—and in considering other business of importance. I shall repeat in this letter what I have declared to you on a former occasion—vizt—that wishing to promote the public weal, & to make...
36From James Madison to Henry Lee, 15 April 1792 (Madison Papers)
I have already acquainted you with the nominations of the President for General Officers. They have all been confirmed by the Senate except Wilkinson who I am told will be tomorrow. The Commander in chief it is said went through the Senate rather against the bristles. The appointment is well relished of course by some, but does not escape already considerable criticism. I am glad to find by...
37From James Madison to Henry Lee, 11 April 1792 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 11 April 1792. Acknowledged in Lee to JM, 18 Apr. 1792 . Reports Washington’s decision to appoint General Wayne as commander of the frontier army.
38From James Madison to Henry Lee, 28 March 1792 (Madison Papers)
No nomination has yet been made of a new commander for the military establishment, nor of any of the Brigadiers authorised by the supplemental act lately passed. I refer to the News papers for the inferior appointments which have taken place. It is understood that St. Clair is not to remain in service. A proposition was yesterday made in the H. of Reps. desiring the President to institute an...
39From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Lee, 14 March 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
The President having referred to me your letter of Feb. 16. covering information from Dr. Taylor as president of the Commrs. of the Marine hospital at Norfolk, informing you that a wing of that hospital is in readiness to be delivered to Congress I am obliged to ask your further information on the subject. Is it a new proposition ? If it is, we can find no provision made by any law for such a...
40From James Madison to Henry Lee, 12 February 1792 (Madison Papers)
I have your favor of the 29th Ultmo. The Senate have disagreed to that part of the Military Bill which augmented the regular establishment to about 5000 Men—and will probably send it back with that alteration. They prefer a completion only of the old Regiments & a liberal provision for temporary forces. Nothing has passed from which I can conjecture in the most remote degree whether you may...
41From James Madison to Henry Lee, 29 January 1792 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Marshall called last evening with your favor of the 17th. but not being at home, I have not yet seen him. Our weather here corresponds with that you describe, except perhaps we have less snow and more cold. The snow is 7 or 8 Inches only. Farther North, as well as South, it is said to be much deeper. The Subject of Western defence is not yet over. In relation to it, I have nothing to add...
42From James Madison to Henry Lee, 21 January 1792 (Madison Papers)
On the receipt of your favour of the 9th. I communicated to Mr. Freneau the complaint of his subscribers. He answers me that the papers have been punctually sent under the best precautions allowed by the present mode of conveyance. The post Office bill now depending aims at an admission of newspapers into the mail, which will increase the expense somewhat of the subscribers, but will alone...
43From James Madison to Henry Lee, 8 January 1792 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 8 January 1792. Acknowledged in Lee to JM, 17 Jan. 1792 . Discusses pending legislation in Congress related to the debt funding system.
44From James Madison to Henry Lee, 1 January 1792 (Madison Papers)
I have received your’s of the 22d Dec, and am sincerely sorry that I cannot be as instrumental on the occasion stated in it as My respect for the wishes of the Mr. Marshall’s and particularly for your’s, by which they are seconded, would make me anxious to be. The truth is I am not on any footing of personal acquaintance with Mr. Hammond which would justify me in asking the favor of him in his...
45From James Madison to Henry Lee, 18 December 1791 (Madison Papers)
I have received your favor of the 8th & handed to Freneau the subscriptions inclosed for him. His paper in the opinion here justifies the expectations of his freinds and Merits the diffusive circulation they have endeavoured to procure it. I regret that I can administer no balm to the wound given by the first report of our western disaster. You will have seen the official account which has...
46From George Washington to Henry Lee, 14 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
Unfortunate and melancholy as the event is, which has given rise to your communication of the instant, I sincerely thank you for it. Since the receipt of your letter official account of the defeat is come to hand, and is herewith enclosed. As the whole of it went to Congress, it was thought best to expunge no part of that which should be given to the public; otherwise the throwing away of...
47From George Washington to Henry Lee, 7 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of Nov. 18. covering a resolution of the legislature of Virginia of Nov. 14. and a Memorial of sundry citizens of that commonwealth on the subject of their property carried away by the British, contrary, as they suppose, to the stipulations of the treaty of peace. a regular channel of communication with that government being now open, I shall not fail to pay due...
48From George Washington to Henry Lee, 7 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
At the sametime that I address the letter which accompanies this to you, officially, permit me to offer my sincere congratulations on your Appointment to the Government of Virginia, and to add my best wishes for the prosperous Administration of the important Office which you now fill, as well as for your personal happiness. An anxiety to do well, which is inseperable from high Offices,...
49From George Washington to Henry Lee, 27 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly favoured with the receipt of your obliging letter dated the 12th of June last—I am also indebted to you for a long letter written to me in the course of last year —and should have had the pleasure sooner to express my acknowledgments for the te⟨n⟩der interest you take on account of my health & administration, but such is the multiplicity of my avocations—and so great the...
50From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Lee, 26 April 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honored with your favor of the 3d. instant, and would have been happy to be useful to Mr. Lee had there been any opening, as I should be hereafter were any to occur. There are no offices in my gift but of meer scribes in the office room at 800. and 500. Dollars a year. These I found all filled and of long possession in the hands of those who held them, and I thought it would not be just...