Letter from Richard Henry Lee to Thomas Paine. Lee relays his thoughts on William Howe's recent actions as described by Paine in an earlier letter. Lee then writes about happenings in Congress.; American Philosophical Society
Letter from George Washington to Richard Henry Lee. Requests instructions for what to do with so many foreigners appointed by Congress to field officer over native born Americans. Complains that foreigners have "no attachedor tyes to the Country, further than Interest bind them [...] are ignorant of the language they are to receive & give order in, consequently great trouble, or much confusion must follow: but this is not the worst, they have not the smallest chance to recruit others, and our Officers thinks it exceedingly hard, after they have toild in this Service, & probably sustaind many losses to have Strangers put over them, whose merit perhaps is not equal to their own; but whose effrontery will take no denial." Washington also describes and raises concern about foreign artillary officers and engineers that are badly needed. However, he desires them to be properly vetted and that their "pompous narrative of their Servive" combined with the excuse of losing their papers not be taken at face value. The end of the letter references Michael Kovats de Fabriczy (Kováts, Mihály), whom Washington does not necessarily trust as implied in his description. The two colonels referenced at the beginning of the letter are François Lellorquis de Malmédy and Charles Armand Tuffin.; American Philosophical Society
Letter from William Shippen to Richard Henry Lee. Shippen writes that he is grateful that congress took up his suggestions on the restructuring of medical care in the army due to his observations at the Bethlehem military hospital. He encourages congress to up the pay of the physicians and surgeons to 20-30 dollars so that better doctors will work for them. Shippen describes his experiences and the disorder he found at, presumably, a military hospital. He relays how he is working to gain order. He continues to write about military hospitals and other military matters for the rest of the letter.; American Philosophical Society
Ebenezer Hazard swears his oath of allegiance to the United States and to serve in the Offices of Surveyor and Post Roads. Sworn before one of the Justice of the Peace for Lancaster County. Hazard asserts that he no longer owes allegiance or obedience to King George the Third of Great Britain.; There is a signature by a Hubley, presumably one of the Justices of Peace for Lancaster County.; American Philosophical Society
Letter from Benjamin Rush to Richard Henry Lee. Rush asks on behalf of Hugh Mercer to inform his wife Isabella Gordon that he is improving after his significant wounding from bayonets. Mercer would die of his wounds a few days later, although Rush writes that "there are reasonable hopes of his recovery." Rush describes Mercer's injuries in detail. He goes on to describe the Battle at Princeton, including number of wounded on both sides and the death of Captain Leslie. In describing the death of Captain Leslie, Rush writes, "I wept for the first time for a victory gained over british troops. Our attachment to each other was reciprocal for when I was introduced to a Capt. McPher[]son in order to dress his wounds, he asked if I was the Dr Rush who used to correspond with Capt Leslie. I told him I was - He Told me that he had heard his friend Leslie say a thousand times that he forgot in [] the political enemy in [] personal friend." Rush describes the village of "Princetown" as so deserted that "you would think it has been desolated with the plague and an earthquake as well as with the calamities of war." Rush details the current state of the village. Rush completes his letter by describing the retreating British Army and other matters related to the army and the war.; American Philosophical Society
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
Letter from Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de Lafayette to Richard Henry Lee. The letter mentions General Washington's success against General Howe and the British army.; American Philosophical Society
Letter from George Washington to Richard Henry Lee. "The designs of the Enemy, to me, are mysterious -- indeed totally incomprehensible..."; American Philosophical Society
Order to pay Thomas and Benjamin Harwood "One Hundred Mexican Dollars, or Five Hundred Livres Tournois. Value received by the United States."; American Philosophical Society
Letter from George Washington to Richard Henry Lee. "The enemy are governed by no principles that ought to actuate honest men...".; American Philosophical Society
Letter from Thomas Paine to Richard Henry Lee updating him on what is happening in the war near Philadelphia since he left. Paine turns to his relationship with Richard Henry Lee at the end of the letter. Paine writes that his absence is felt both personally and in Lee's position in Congress.; American Philosophical Society
Letter from Thomas Paine to Nathanael Greene about his return to America with Henry Laurens. He describes his travels, including references to bringing money and supplies for the war back to the States. Paine expresses his appreciation for Greene assistance in this venture. The letter concludes with Paine's description of British Naval movements.; Contains transcript of letter.; American Philosophical Society
George Wythe responds to Richard Henry Lee. He writes that the "letter concerning the leases was mentioned in the house, but so slighted, and treated in such a manner that I had not occasion to acquaint the house with what you had written to me upon that subject." Wythe mentions General Howe and the Philadelphia Campaign. He also urges Lee to get General Gates to send a letter about General Burgoyne's surrender as "some begin to doubt the truth of it." Wythe mentions that the question of taxation has been taken up by the Virginia Convention.; American Philosophical Society
George Washington responds to Richard Henry Lee letter from May 22. He writes that perhaps he was to forceful in the letter that initiated the discussion about foreign soldiers (mercenaries, professional soldiers.) Nevertheless, Washington emphasizes the if "Monsr D’Coudrey" becomes the head of artillery, that they would lose a "very valuable Officer in General Knox who is a Man of great Military Reading, sound judgment, & clear conceptions—He has conducted the affairs of that department with honour to himself, and advantage to the Public—and will resign if any one is put over him." Washington turns to recruitment issues and defectors after General Howe's proclamation. He writes of his frustration with Congress' slow or no responses to his letters. Washington concludes the letter with a reference to the Director General of the Hospital.; American Philosophical Society