Patrick Henry on Military and Financial Matters, 1777
Patrick Henry to Richard Henry Lee, November 14, 1777 (The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History)
Writing to a fellow signer of the Declaration of Independence during the Revolutionary War, Henry celebrates the American victory at Saratoga and discusses financial, legislative, and military matters related to the state of Virginia.
A Letter from Patrick Henry to Richard Henry Lee, November 14, 1777
Wmsburgh Novr. 14th. 1777 –
I have to make my best acknowledgements to you my dear Sir, for your many interesting Letters lately recd. The Authority of them served to fix the Belief of our late glorious Successes, when others Seemed to doubt them, producing sundry Testimonys from the North which had well nigh set us to mourning. Colo. Lane today gave me yours of the 14th. Oct.er. The Matter it contains was highly interesting. Yours to Colo. Richd. of the 5th. Novr he has showed me today. I congratulate you on the Events it mentions. Our Assembly has been sitting 4 Weeks & not a Bill passed or any thing done. I have despatched two Agents to Carolina in pursuit of Woolens for the grand army. They might have been had some time ago, but ‘tis uncertain now. I propose to draw on Congress for the Amt. The Goods will be very high tho’ I shall stand at a small Matter. I have it in contemplation to despatch a messenger to Havanah & Orleans to negotiate a Loan of Money to Virginia. Pray what think you of it? Pray keep it safe & mention it to no one. Your Sentiments may help me out on the Subject. Our Credit is almost gone, I was fatal to omit taxing when you proposed it. Will you send me copy of a Letter recd. from Orleans by the Committee (I believe) of secret correspondence? Gibsons Trip may be improved to great purposes. Ive proposed to Establish a post at the mouth of Ohio if the Spaniards will bring the Goods there in their own Bottoms. I’ve Sent Letters to Havanah & Orleans by an agent, who is to try the Experiment of a Default round by sea – If the Northern Army can arrive at Delaware Howe may possibly be embarrassed, & so a prospect open for that secret Enjory[illegible] of Reports which yr. incessant & distinguished Labors so richly deserve. I shall tell you of Mr. Laycouli in a Letter to the Delegates & that I have so long kept the Express. Adieu my dear Sir. Comend me to Colo. Frank & believe me
yr. affectionate servant
P. Henry
PS After keepin of Express ‘til the 15th. I send him away at last without the Resolution respecting Mr. Laycouli. The lower House has resolved to allow that [illegible] ₤ 450 pr. Ann. as director of a military Academy to teach Gunnery & Fortification. The Senate has not yet agreed to it, I think they will in a few Days & then shall inform the Delegates of it. The Express will stay no longer
yrs &c P.H.
Source: Patrick Henry, to Richard Henry Lee, November 14, 1777, The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, GLC08973.01.
A Letter from Patrick Henry to Richard Henry Lee, November 14, 1777
Wmsburgh Novr. 14th. 1777 –
I have to make my best acknowledgements to you my dear Sir, for your many interesting Letters lately recd. The Authority of them served to fix the Belief of our late glorious Successes, when others Seemed to doubt them, producing sundry Testimonys from the North which had well nigh set us to mourning . . . Our Assembly has been sitting 4 Weeks & not a Bill passed or any thing done. I have despatched two Agents to Carolina in pursuit of Woolens for the grand army . . . I propose to draw on Congress for the Amt. The Goods will be very high tho’ I shall stand at a small Matter. I have it in contemplation to despatch a messenger to Havanah & Orleans to negotiate a Loan of Money to Virginia . . . Pray keep it safe & mention it to no one . . . Our Credit is almost gone, I was fatal to omit taxing when you proposed it . . . Ive proposed to Establish a post at the mouth of Ohio if the Spaniards will bring the Goods there in their own Bottoms. I’ve Sent Letters to Havanah & Orleans by an agent, who is to try the Experiment of a Default round by sea – If the Northern Army can arrive at Delaware Howe may possibly be embarrassed, & so a prospect open for that secret Enjory [illegible] of Reports which yr. incessant & distinguished Labors so richly deserve . . . Adieu my dear Sir. Comend me to Colo. Frank & believe me
yr. affectionate servant
P. Henry
Source: Patrick Henry to Richard Henry Lee, November 14, 1777, The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, GLC08973.01.
Background
Writing to a fellow signer of the Declaration of Independence during the Revolutionary War, Henry celebrates the American victory at Saratoga and discusses financial, legislative, and military matters related to the state of Virginia.
Transcript
A Letter from Patrick Henry to Richard Henry Lee, November 14, 1777
Wmsburgh Novr. 14th. 1777 –
I have to make my best acknowledgements to you my dear Sir, for your many interesting Letters lately recd. The Authority of them served to fix the Belief of our late glorious Successes, when others Seemed to doubt them, producing sundry Testimonys from the North which had well nigh set us to mourning. Colo. Lane today gave me yours of the 14th. Oct.er. The Matter it contains was highly interesting. Yours to Colo. Richd. of the 5th. Novr he has showed me today. I congratulate you on the Events it mentions. Our Assembly has been sitting 4 Weeks & not a Bill passed or any thing done. I have despatched two Agents to Carolina in pursuit of Woolens for the grand army. They might have been had some time ago, but ‘tis uncertain now. I propose to draw on Congress for the Amt. The Goods will be very high tho’ I shall stand at a small Matter. I have it in contemplation to despatch a messenger to Havanah & Orleans to negotiate a Loan of Money to Virginia. Pray what think you of it? Pray keep it safe & mention it to no one. Your Sentiments may help me out on the Subject. Our Credit is almost gone, I was fatal to omit taxing when you proposed it. Will you send me copy of a Letter recd. from Orleans by the Committee (I believe) of secret correspondence? Gibsons Trip may be improved to great purposes. Ive proposed to Establish a post at the mouth of Ohio if the Spaniards will bring the Goods there in their own Bottoms. I’ve Sent Letters to Havanah & Orleans by an agent, who is to try the Experiment of a Default round by sea – If the Northern Army can arrive at Delaware Howe may possibly be embarrassed, & so a prospect open for that secret Enjory[illegible] of Reports which yr. incessant & distinguished Labors so richly deserve. I shall tell you of Mr. Laycouli in a Letter to the Delegates & that I have so long kept the Express. Adieu my dear Sir. Comend me to Colo. Frank & believe me
yr. affectionate servant
P. Henry
PS After keepin of Express ‘til the 15th. I send him away at last without the Resolution respecting Mr. Laycouli. The lower House has resolved to allow that [illegible] ₤ 450 pr. Ann. as director of a military Academy to teach Gunnery & Fortification. The Senate has not yet agreed to it, I think they will in a few Days & then shall inform the Delegates of it. The Express will stay no longer
yrs &c P.H.
Source: Patrick Henry, to Richard Henry Lee, November 14, 1777, The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, GLC08973.01.
Excerpt
A Letter from Patrick Henry to Richard Henry Lee, November 14, 1777
Wmsburgh Novr. 14th. 1777 –
I have to make my best acknowledgements to you my dear Sir, for your many interesting Letters lately recd. The Authority of them served to fix the Belief of our late glorious Successes, when others Seemed to doubt them, producing sundry Testimonys from the North which had well nigh set us to mourning . . . Our Assembly has been sitting 4 Weeks & not a Bill passed or any thing done. I have despatched two Agents to Carolina in pursuit of Woolens for the grand army . . . I propose to draw on Congress for the Amt. The Goods will be very high tho’ I shall stand at a small Matter. I have it in contemplation to despatch a messenger to Havanah & Orleans to negotiate a Loan of Money to Virginia . . . Pray keep it safe & mention it to no one . . . Our Credit is almost gone, I was fatal to omit taxing when you proposed it . . . Ive proposed to Establish a post at the mouth of Ohio if the Spaniards will bring the Goods there in their own Bottoms. I’ve Sent Letters to Havanah & Orleans by an agent, who is to try the Experiment of a Default round by sea – If the Northern Army can arrive at Delaware Howe may possibly be embarrassed, & so a prospect open for that secret Enjory [illegible] of Reports which yr. incessant & distinguished Labors so richly deserve . . . Adieu my dear Sir. Comend me to Colo. Frank & believe me
yr. affectionate servant
P. Henry
Source: Patrick Henry to Richard Henry Lee, November 14, 1777, The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, GLC08973.01.
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