Excerpts and Selections from the Lee Papers [pp. 261-272]

Selections and Excerpts from the Lee Papers.
in Virginia, has, a few Scotch accepted,
united every man in that large colony. If the Administration had searched thro'
the world for a person the best fitted to
ruin their cause and procure union and
success for these colonies, they could not
have found a more complete Agent than
Lord Dunmore. We regret not having
heard from England since early in Sep tember, but our Congress disregarding
this, and proceeding with vigor, perse verance and judgment, is effecting the
great purpose for which they were ap pointed. You know the writer of this
letter, Madam, and therefore, it is unnecessary to sign it, as it would be to assure
you of his affection and esteem for your
whole self, and all your connections. We
hope all are well at St. Bees', aiid that
proper care will be taken there in this
tempestuous season. The last Post produces a Proclamation from Lord Dunmore,
declaring Liberty to the Slaves, and proclaiming the law martial, to be the only
Law in that Colony. And all this he says
is done "in virtue of the power and authority to me given by his Majesty." Is
it possible that his Majesty could authorize him thus to remedy evils which his
Lordship himself had created. I would
have enclosed you a copy of this curious
proclamation, had I not found it would
too much increase the size of this Packet.
The inhumanity with which this war
(unprovoked as it has been on this side,)
is prosecuted, is really shocking. A- few
days since in the midst of winter's [severits in] that Northern climate did Gen.
Howe turn out of Boston, between two
and three hundred women and children
without even the necessaries of life.Some of them died on the water side before their hospitable countrymen could
relieve them. This cruelty is the more
more unpardonable, as these unhappy
people have been by violence, detained in
Boston, until now, contrary to the faith
of a most positive agreement entered into
between the town and General Gage.
The enclosed printed papers will shew
you, Madam, how successful the cause of
liberty has been in Canada. No doubt is
entertained of Quebec and Gov. Carlton
having fallen into the hands of General
Montgomery and Col. Arnold. A valua,
ble Artillery store-ship is just fallen into
our hands, and the stores now at our
camp at Cambridge.
The ship is the "Nancy," I think.
FROM THE COMMITTEE OF INTELLIGENCE TO
MESSRS. HALL AND SELLERS.
York, Pa., 17 Oct. 1777.
GENTLEMEN.
Congress having authorized their Com mnittee of Intelligence to get a Press fixed
in this Town, I am, as Chairman of that
Committee, to propose to you to let your
Press be immediately brought here and
set up: that the expense of bringing the
Press shall be defrayed by Congress; that
you shall be employed in publishing for
Congress, and paid a liberal price for
so doing. The Commnittee hope this
will be a sufficientinducement, when you
consider that a Newspaper published by
you here, containing Congress intelligence
will be of extensive sale, and very profit.
able. At all events, you will be pleased
to give me an immediate answer, and de-.
liver your letter to Gen. Mifflin, or the
Quarter-Master, who may be in Reading,
in order than an express may bring it
without delay, to) this place.
I am, gentlemen, your most obedient
servant.
R. H. LEE TO EDMUND PENDLETON, (PROg ABLY.)
York, 22d Oct., 1777, 2 o'clock.
DEAR SIR.
The slow, but sure-moving Gates, has
not yet sent up his Inventory, but an officer who saw Burgoyne with Gates, tells
a gentleman that passed this town as fol:
lovws: 1 Lieutenant-General, 2 MajorGenerals, 7 Brigadiers, 5,000 men, 15,000
stand of arms, 40 pieces of cannon, and
a considerable quantity of clothing.
265
1860.]