Richard Henry Lee responds to George Washington's letter from May 17. He acknowledges Washington's frustration, but suggests that perhaps not all the foreigners volunteering for the army are awful. Lee divides the "adventurers" into "three Classes" and notes that some of them have been excellent. Lee states that he will ask congress to be more specific about the credentials of foreign appointments and that they have written to France and Martinique to stop the flow of mercenaries. Lee writes that this issue is complicated on both sides, "[a]s you express it Sir, the affair requires great delicacy in its management, as well in the account of our own Officers as on that of these Foreigners."; There are letters referencing the issue of mercenaries or professional soldiers in the Franklin Bache collection.; American Philosophical Society
