Lee, Charles (1731-1782) to Edmund Pendleton
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01421 Author/Creator: Lee, Charles (1731-1782) Place Written: Williamsburg, Virginia Type: Letter signed Date: 11 May 1776 Pagination: 1 p. : address ; 31 x 25 cm. Order a Copy
Discusses the differences in pay for Continental and state soldiers. Comments on the activities of "Mr. Agnew who was lately tryed by the Committee" and other Tories as they related to the British assault on Hog Island. Written to Pendleton as President of the Virginia Convention.
Williamsburg May 11.th 1776.
Sir.
Upon consulting with General Howe, I find it will be most conducible to the Service, to order your Militia to Halifax, where they shall receive further orders from me.
The difference of the Continental Establishment, and that of the Province, will occasion, I am afraid, much confusion, - for instance, the pay of the Artillery here is two shillings per diem - that of the Artillery in the Army to the Eastward no more than other Soldiers & if we should attempt to reduce it, This Company so essentially necessary for the Service, will consequently be disolved, and to propose the augmentation of it to the Congress wou'd appear perhaps unreasonable, as it wou'd put them under the necessity of raising the pay of this Corps universally. I therefore, Sir, must beg leave to lay my perplexity on this head before the Convention.
Mr. Agnew who was lately tryed by the Committee, and is allowed to be a most irreclaimable Enemy, was seen [inserted: the day] before the Enemy made their last predatory expedition to Hog Island, in consultation with Mr Holt a suspected Tory on the very scene of their depredations - should a Man so dangerous, be sufferr'd at large? a Mr. Wright in Glocester as I am informed do, and has done much mischief. I am Sir
with the greatest Respect,
Your most obt. hum:bl Servant
Charles Lee
[address leaf]
Gen Edmund Pendleton President of the Convention.
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.