Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Lee, Richard Henry (1732-1794) to Catharine Macaulay.

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01792 Author/Creator: Lee, Richard Henry (1732-1794) Place Written: Chantilly, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 30 March 1770 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 23.7 x 19.4 cm. Order a Copy

Relating his admiration for Macaulay's spirit and love of liberty.

Macaulay is a British historian in support of American liberty.

Chantilly in Virginia March 30. 1770
Madam,

A Lady of your singular merit, may expect to be troubled with the admiration, and the gratitude, of every friend to worth and freedom, in every part of the world. All the works of Providence, Madam, deserve admiration; but the finest we are acquainted with, are entitled to our highest applause. And surely those, who have an extraordinary "portion of aetherial spirit" bestowed on them, are the fittest objects of respect and veneration.
This Madam, is the only apology, that a stranger, removed three thousand miles from you, has to make, for the liberty he has taken of writing this letter, and of presenting you with a late edition of the Farmers and Monitors letters, published [inserted: in] this Colony.
Your [2] fine understanding, and your strong attachment to the rights and liberty of mankind, will secure your approbation of these worthy writers, who have with much spirit, and force of argument, supported the rights of their injured country.
I have the honor to be, with the most sincere respect and esteem, Madam, your most obedient humble servant
Richard Henry Lee
[docket]
225
Mr: Lee - to. C..M. -
March 30: 1770
Chantilly in Virginia

Lee, Richard H., fl. 1770-1781
Macaulay, Catharine, 1731-1791

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