Selections and Excerpts from the Lee Papers, Part III [pp. 428-439]

Selections and Excerpts from the Lee Papers.
how precarious things must be, that depend upon continued emissions of paper
money if no extension loan can be procured in Europe, or if a war in Europe
does not so employ the British attention
as to enable us to send our produce to
European markets. Both these points
demand the deepest consideration of
those who mean to secure the separation of this country from Britain. Our
Privateers and armed Vessels cotinue to
be very successful against the British
Trade and Transports. I have written
by this opportunity to our Brother William, supposing him to be in France. I
told him that the times prevent me from
making remittance, and therefore that
my sons must be sent to me by the first
good opportunity if he cannot continue
to advance for their frugal maintenance
in France a small time longer. I wish
Ludwell to go deep into the study of
Natural and Civil Law and Eloquence,
as well as to obtain the military improvement you put him on, my desire being
that he may be able to turn either to the
Law or the sword here, as his genius, or
his interest and service of his country
might point out. I want Thom. to possess himself of the knowledge of business either in Mr. Schweighauser's counting house or under his uncle, if he
should go into business that may be
trusted to his care. But all or any part
of this plan depends, I apprehend, entirely on their uncle William. Should
any unhappy accident have befallen him
and thereby prevented him from coming
to France, I must rely on you to direct
them to be sent over to me by the first
opportunity. This Mr. Schweighaus e r
can continue for me as you desire. This
letter goes by a Mr. John King, a merchant of Hampton, a gentleman of reputation here, and who goes to France on
commercial motives. Hie sails in a swift
going vessel, that probably cannot be
taken, and I believe he will accommodate my boys with a passage if they are
now to return.
MY DEAR BROTHER.
I heard with much pleasure that you
were destined to the Court of Berlin, because I think you may be able to do your
country esse ntial service s there. The
poswer and the magnanimity of the Prussian monarc h puts hi m above apprehensions from the court of London for pursuing measure s d ictated by true generosity, and the interest of his people. A
post in the North for our privateers' Prizes, and for the conduct of Commerce
will much benefit both countries. It is
indisputably certain that a most extensive and mutually beneficial commerce
may be carried on between the dominions
of Prussia and the United States, but it
is unfortunate for us, that while we are
left singly to oppose the whole force of
Great Britian, (young as we are in war),
we are prevented from giving experimental proofs of the benefits of our commerce
by the impossibility of sending our products or getting those of other countries.
Ilis Russian majesty has power, by a variety of ways, to call away much of the
British attention from us and thereby facilitating commercial intercourse. Add
to this that the public acknowledgment of
the Independency of these States, by his
Prussian majesty would give dignity and
advantage to our cause and procure the
same acknowledgments from other Powers. The Committee have written so fully of the events of war, in their public
letter, that I need not add here, to what
they have said; unless it be to say that
our continued accounts confirm the great
loss sustained by the enemy on the 4th
instant, in the battle of Germantown.
We understand that General Agnew and
Grant are dead and that Sir Wm. Erskine
is mortally wounded. Some reports place
Gen. Shephausen among the slain and
Lord Cornwallis with the wounded. Our
army is by reinforcements stronger now
than before the last battle, in high spirits,
and we expect will give General Howe
further amusement in a short time.
Suffer me here to observe a little upon
the E~nemy's possession of Philadelphia.
God bless you and give you success
in your mission. Much, very much depends upon it. Farewell.
429
1859.1
York Town in Pennsylvania, I
13th October, 1777. 1