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Title: Lee, Richard Henry to [Thomas Jefferson], 1776 November 3; B J35.x10. Lee, Richard Henry, 1732-1794. Letter to [Thomas Jefferson]
Identifier(s): apsrevcity:16751
Description: A 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."; Recipient's copy at the Library of Congress, this is a transcription.; American Philosophical Society
Subject: Waging the War; United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783; Child labor; Child labor--United States; Impressment--United States--History--18th century; Draft--United States; United States. Navy--History--Revolution, 1775-1783; Valcour Island, Battle of, N.Y., 1776; West Indies--Commerce--United States; United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783--American forces; United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783--Children; Arnold, Benedict, 1741-1801; McDougall, Alexander, 1732-1786
Date: 1776-11-03; 2022