Correspondence of the American Revolution: Being Letters of Eminent Men to George Washington, from the Time of His Taking Command of the Army to the End of His Presidency, Vol. 2

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Author: Richard Henry Lee

U.S. History

From Richard Henry Lee.

York, 20 October, 1777.

DEAR SIR,

Your favor of the 17th I received yesterday, and was a good deal surprised to find you had been told that Congress had appointed General Conway a Major-General. No such appointment has been made; nor do I believe it will, while it is likely to produce the evil consequences you suggest. It is very true, that both within and without doors, there have been advocates for the measure; and it has been affirmed that it would be very agreeable to the army, whose favorite Mr. Conway was asserted to be. My judgment on this business was not formed until I received your letter. I am very sure Congress would not take any step that might injure the army, or even have a tendency that way; and I verily believe they wish to lessen your difficulties by every means in their power, from an entire conviction that the purest motives of public good direct your actions.

The business of a Board of War is so extensive, so important, and demanding such constant attention, that Congress see clearly the necessity of constituting a new Board, out of Congress, whose time shall be entirely devoted to that essential department. It is by some warmly proposed that this Board shall be filled by the three following gentlemen; Colonel Reed, Colonel Pickering, the present Adjutant-General, and Colonel Harrison, your Secretary; and that General Conway be appointed Adjutant-General, in the room of Colonel Pickering. It is my wish, and I am sure it is so of many others, to know your full and candid sentiments on this subject. For my own part, I cannot be satisfied with giving any opinion on the point until I am favored with your sentiments, which I shall be much obliged to you for, Sir, as soon as your time will permit. It has been affirmed that General Conway would quit the service if he were not made a Major-General. But I have been told, in confidence, that he would leave it at the end of this campaign, if he was appointed, unless his word of honor were taken to continue for any fixed time. And it is a question with me, whether the advocates for General Conway will not miss their aim, if he should be appointed Adjutant-General, unless he has the rank of Major-General also. My reason for thinking so is, that I have been informed General Conway desires to retire to his family, provided he can carry-from this country home with him a rank that will raise him in France.*

It is very certain that the public good demands a speedy erecting and judicious filling of the new Board of War; and I sincerely wish it may be done in the most proper manner. I do not imagine Congress would appoint Colonel Harrison without first knowing whether you could spare him; nor do I think that so important an office as that of Adjutant-General should be touched without maturest consideration.

We every moment expect the express, with an account that will enable us to congratulate you on the surrender of General Burgoyne, and the remains of his shattered army. This will be one of the Prussian sixes, and I augur that the other will soon cast up upon the Delaware.

I am, with sincerest wishes for your health and success, dear Sir,

Your most affectionate and obedient servant,

RICHARD HENRY LEE.

* For other particulars concerning General Conway, and his cabal against the Commander-in-chief, see Washington’s Writings, Vol. V. pp. 97, 483.

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Chicago: Richard Henry Lee, "From Richard Henry Lee.," Correspondence of the American Revolution: Being Letters of Eminent Men to George Washington, from the Time of His Taking Command of the Army to the End of His Presidency, Vol. 2 in Correspondence of the American Revolution: Being Letters of Eminent Men to George Washington, from the Time of His Taking Command of the Army to the End of His Presidency, ed. Jared Sparks (Freeport, NY: Books for Libraries Press, 1853), 10–12. Original Sources, accessed March 28, 2024, http://www.originalsources.com/Document.aspx?DocID=PBT76SJ1T4JE9C3.

MLA: Lee, Richard Henry. "From Richard Henry Lee." Correspondence of the American Revolution: Being Letters of Eminent Men to George Washington, from the Time of His Taking Command of the Army to the End of His Presidency, Vol. 2, in Correspondence of the American Revolution: Being Letters of Eminent Men to George Washington, from the Time of His Taking Command of the Army to the End of His Presidency, edited by Jared Sparks, Vol. 2, Freeport, NY, Books for Libraries Press, 1853, pp. 10–12. Original Sources. 28 Mar. 2024. http://www.originalsources.com/Document.aspx?DocID=PBT76SJ1T4JE9C3.

Harvard: Lee, RH, 'From Richard Henry Lee.' in Correspondence of the American Revolution: Being Letters of Eminent Men to George Washington, from the Time of His Taking Command of the Army to the End of His Presidency, Vol. 2. cited in 1853, Correspondence of the American Revolution: Being Letters of Eminent Men to George Washington, from the Time of His Taking Command of the Army to the End of His Presidency, ed. , Books for Libraries Press, Freeport, NY, pp.10–12. Original Sources, retrieved 28 March 2024, from http://www.originalsources.com/Document.aspx?DocID=PBT76SJ1T4JE9C3.