Lee, Charles (1731-1782) to unknown
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02340 Author/Creator: Lee, Charles (1731-1782) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter Date: circa 1780 Pagination: 3 p. ; 34 x 21 cm. Order a Copy
Writes as mercenary Major General in the Continental Army about the abuses of Congress. Remarks that "America had almost better be conquered ... then endure any longer such an odious tyranny as the capricious arbitrary government of an unlimited uncontrolable assembly." Stresses that " ... no consideration on earth should deter us from putting some immediate restraints on the Power of a body of Men ... " Note on verso of last page briefly describes what is included in the letter. Dated 25 May 1782 later in pencil but it is more likely circa 1780.
My Dear Sir
I have just read your letter by the [illegible] but must beg leave to Differ [inserted: from] you in the main argument of it for I confess [inserted: then] both as a Soldier and a Politician that I think the only time for the redress of grievances, is the time of War, and I believe that no instance can be provided from history, of those who have been foolish enough to wait for the time of peace ever obtaining any redress at all… -but I will go a little farther, [illegible] you will think too far, I attest that America had almost better be conquerd, at least in the degree [illegible] now only be in danger of being conquered, than endure any longer such an odious tyranny as the capricious arbitrary government of an unlimited uncontrolable Assembly- . . .[3] Our free System has abounded in so short a period as four years self-government, abuses not to be paralleled by all the enormities of the worst governments in Europe in twenty times that legnth of period -- and I repeat the before that no consideration on earth should deter us from putting some immediate restraints on the Power of a body of Men who stand convicted of such complicated iniquity.
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