George Washington Papers

From George Washington to Captain Henry Lee, Jr., 1 April 1778

To Captain Henry Lee, Jr.

Head Quarters [Valley Forge] 1st April 1778.

Dr Sir

By your favor of yesterday I am made acquainted with the feelings of your mind on the subject of my proposal communicated to you by Col. Hamilton; the undisguised manner in which you express yourself cannot but strengthen my good opinion of you—as the offer on my part was purely the result of a high Sense of your merit, and as I would by no means divert you from a Career in which you promise yourself greater happiness from it’s affording more frequent opportunities of acquiring military fame, I entreat you to pursue your own Inclinations as if nothing had passed on this subject, and to be assured of the good wishes of Dear Sir—Yours &c.

Df, in John Laurens’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.

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