To John Jay from John Penn, 27 August 1779
From John Penn
Colo. Pendletons Sept. [August] 27th. 17791
Dear Sir
I am thus far on my way home, I got to Annapolis as soon as Doctor Burke & Mr. Randolp,2 I have the pleasure to tell you that I never saw such a prospect for Corn as the present crop, it is thought that there will be much more made than has been for many years past.
Mr. William Lee3 has directed his Brother to pay all the Gentleman in Virginia to whom he was indebted for Tobo. shipped to him at the rate of 33 1/3 per Cent. Colo. Mason has a Bill protested for about £1000, all Mr. Lee’s shifts, his hiding himself to prevent being seen, and the manner in which the French Gentlemen pursued him, the questions put to Lee’s Servants their answers, and the assistance they gave in having him discovered are mentioned at length in the protest, When Lee could retreat no farther he denied he was the man; he directly went to Nantz & wrote Colo. Mason that he had directed his Brother to pay him, but antedates his letter three or four months, This Mr. Mason says he can prove. The above is what I have been told by several Gentleman that have conversed with Mr. Mason & has seen the papers. Some thing ought to be done relative to this Man, if the above is true & no body here doubts it, Mr. Lee ought not to be employed any longer in the service of the United States
If my prayers or wishes are of any consequence, you are restored to health long before this; pray Remember me to Sir James, Colo. Livingston, Mrs. Jay, and Lady Kitty and believe me to be with great truth Your sincere Friend &c.
J. Penn
John Jay Esqr.
ALS, NNC (EJ: 7045). Addressed: “His Excellency / John Jay Esqr. / Philada. John Penn”. Endorsed: “John Penn 27 Augt. / 1779 / ansd. 21 Sept.” Jay endorsed the letter as having been written in August rather than in September; indeed, Penn was on his way to the South at the end of August, as JJ wrote about 1 Sept. to Pendleton.
1. John Penn (1740–88), a relative of Pendleton’s, was a native of Virginia who moved to North Carolina in 1774. He represented the latter state in the Continental Congress, 1775–80.
2. Thomas Burke (c. 1747–83) represented North Carolina in the Continental Congress, 1777–81. Edmund Randolph (1753–1813) was elected from Virginia in 1779.
3. Prior to his appointment as commercial agent at Nantes in 1777, William Lee had been engaged in business ventures in London, receiving consignments of tobacco from several Virginia planters, among them George Mason (1725–92), framer of the Virginia Constitution. Apparently Lee had allowed a bill of exchange Mason had drawn on him in anticipation of the proceeds of tobacco shipped to him to be protested and returned unpaid. Mason wrote Lee on at least two occasions complaining of the low price he had received for the tobacco shipment. Lee answered that he had obtained the highest possible price, especially since some of the crop had arrived in England decayed. ViU: Lee Family Papers, 1742–95.