Lee, Richard Henry to [Thomas Jefferson], 1776 November 3

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TITLE INFORMATION
TitleLee, Richard Henry to [Thomas Jefferson], 1776 November 3
Alternative TitleB J35.x10. Lee, Richard Henry, 1732-1794. Letter to [Thomas Jefferson]
ASSOCIATED NAMES
CreatorLee, Richard Henry, 1732-1794
RecipientJefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826
CONTENT DESCRIPTION
AbstractA transcription of a letter from Richard Henry Lee to Thomas Jefferson informing him that he had heard the Jefferson had declined a seat in Congress. Lee describes the current happenings in the War including his thoughts on the Battle of Valcour Island where Benedict Arnold and the United States Navy were defeated as well as Alexander McDougall's brigade. Lee writes that he believes that the "quarrel" between Spain and Portugal and Russian Naval moments will benefit the United States in their war with Britain. He writes about the gossip in Congress, presumably, about him. Lee describes his ideas and concerns about the need for ships and sailors. He suggests the conscription of "Orphan and poor Children" ("bound to the Sea"). He moves on to describe creating safe ports and increasing the protection of ports. He also describes access to timber and making cannons. He concludes by writing, "[l]et us have Cannon, Small Arms, gun powder, and industry; we shall be secure—But it is in vain to have good systems of Government and good Laws, if we are exposed to the ravage of the Sword, without means of resisting. [...] I do not think our armed Vessels can be so well [em]ployed in any other business as in m[aking] two or three trips to the French and Dutch Islands for these necessaries, carrying Tobacco and fine flour to purchase them."
NoteRecipient's copy at the Library of Congress, this is a transcription.
NoteAmerican Philosophical Society
LanguageEnglish
Language (eng)
Subject (lcsh) United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783
Subject (lcsh) Child labor
Subject (lcsh) Child labor--United States
Subject (lcsh) Impressment--United States--History--18th century
Subject (lcsh) Draft--United States
Subject (lcsh) United States. Navy--History--Revolution, 1775-1783
Subject (lcsh) Valcour Island, Battle of, N.Y., 1776
Subject (lcsh) West Indies--Commerce--United States
Subject (lcsh) United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783--American forces
Subject (lcsh) United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783--Children
Subject (lcsh) Philadelphia (Pa.)
Subject (lcsh) Arnold, Benedict, 1741-1801
Subject (lcsh) McDougall, Alexander, 1732-1786
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
TypeText
GenreCorrespondence
Extent6p.
Digital OriginReformatted digital
Reformatting QualityPreservation
ORIGIN INFORMATION
Date Issued1776-11-03
Date Captured2022
PARENT COLLECTION
TitleThomas Jefferson Papers
Call NumberMss.B.J35
URLhttps://search.amphilsoc.org/collections/view?docId=ead/Mss.B.J35-ead.xml
ACCESS INFORMATION
Use The APS has an Open Access Policy for all unrestricted material in the digital library. Open Access Materials can be used freely for non-commercial, scholarly, educational, or fair use as defined under United States copyright law. Read the full policy and learn more about our Rights and Reproduction at: http://www.amphilsoc.org/library/rights

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