George Washington Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-19-02-0294

To George Washington from Henry Lee, 18 January 1796

From Henry Lee

Richmond Jany 18. 96

My dear President

I had the honor this moment to receive from the mail just arrived (Interrupted by the vast fall of rain) your l[ett]er of the 11th.

My anticipation of the necessity of information to you On the point trusted to me, induced me to expend my own money to secure to my letr a timely reply—th[e] substance was instantly forwarded to you,1 which I hope reached you soon after your ler of the 11th was written. It will have told you that the gentleman I mentioned for C. J. could not be brought into public—In the vacancy of A. J. no man would do more honor to the bench than Colo: ⟨I⟩.2

Thus all think who know him & love the govt. If in any way I can be useful to you, or serviceable to my country, I am sure you know me too well to doubt my agency so far as my abilitys can go.

In case you should be pleased on any business in this State again to call on me, be pleased to direct your letters to me at Stratford & to the care of the post master in Fredg. with unaltreable respect & affection I am ever yours

Henry Lee

ALS, DLC:GW. Lee marked the cover of this letter “private.”

2Lee is referring to the possibility of nominating Patrick Henry for chief justice of the Supreme Court and James Innes for associate justice.

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