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

Selections and Excerpts from the Lee Papers.
of some service. It may give me an opportunity to co6perate with you, in checking the abuses we have together observed
and regretted, in the publick business of
the continent, and in calling to account
and punishing the Delinquents and their
Abettors. Should such or any other occasion occur, wherein I may promote the
public service, I hope yov will not be
ceremonious in mentioning it to me.
Sensible as I am, how exceedingly culpable in several respects Mr. D —'s conduct was, having great room to suspect it
was much worse in others, and beingpersuaded that much injury will accrue to
the Publick if he should escape with impunity, I hope a free enquiry has been
made into it. If that has not yet been
done, and may still be done, I will do my
utmost to bring it on. In public matters
of such importance, nothing should be
left doubtful or in the dark. Attempts to
evade a full and free enquiry, or to slur
over any fact, imply guilt in the Agent
himself, and a criminial partiality or indifference in the managers of the Public.
Whilst I was in Ph'a, it was, I think, debated whether Mr. D. sho,uld give a detail of his transactions abroad in writing
or viva voce. I think it was carried for the
latter, and that the three N. Y. Delegates
voted for it. I wish you would set me
right on this head, and let me into as
many other particulars as are necessary
to judge of the whole affair. I had at
that time more than sufficient reason to
suspect that one of our Delegates was
using and would use undue methods in
favor of Mr. D., and I now wish to be
clear whether they voted for his detail
being viva voce, and what part they have
since taken in the business, because if it
should appear from their voting on that
or any other question, that they have acted with partiality or unbecoming indulgence, I would bring the affair before oar
Legislature. I would state what I know
of D's. transactions. I would mention
M's. attempt to suppress my evidence
against D., and move to have one or more
of.the Delegates recalled to explain their
conduct, or to have public.instructions
sent them, to insist on a full and accurate
investigation of the whole business. No
thing, however, can be attempted, until I
know what has been done in the affair,
and what share our Delegates took in it.
After all, the affair may now perhaps be
over, nevertheless, I beg you will favor
me with a line as soon as possible; the
sooner the better. I beg, also, that you
will present my respects to all friends,
and that you *ill believe me to be with
great regard and esteem,
D. Sir, your most ob't and most humble
servant.
P. S.-Direct to me at Fishkill, State
of N. York.
R. H. LEE TO SIR JAMES JAY.
Philadelphia, Nov. 3d, 1778.
DEAR SIR.
Your favor of October 20th is put into
my hands just when I am on the point of
setting out for Virginia, and therefore,
you may suppose me not so well circumstanced for giving you such an answer as
I could wish. I esteem, Sir, a cooperation
with you in bringing about to detection
and punishment the plunderers of the
Public, as being honourable to myself
and useful to the community. I believe
upon the whole, that this country has suffered more from its pretended friends,
than from its open enemies. Such has
been the variety and importance of the
business before Congress that neither the
affairs of Carmichael or of Deane are yet
finished.
The delay-producing powers of some
men, the destruction of time under the
pretext of order, and by long confident
speeches, that I have never seen less business done in any Assembly than has been
with us the last six or eight months,Mr. Izard has written to Congress complaining most heavily both of D e and
Tr- n. There appears to me to have
been great misconduct, but I hope time
and attention will discover and rectify
all. It is my sincere opinion that with
your powers, and your knowledge of facts
you can cause such instructions to be given your Delegates to Congress as will
more certainly and speedily effect this,
than can by any other means be done.
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