Lee, Charles (1731-1782) to Robert Morris

Virginia July ye 20th 1782
My Dr Sir -

Me not hearing from you, has given me very great uneasiness, but I can excuse your silence as from all I can conceive you must not only have busyness enough for one able Man, but for half a dozen at least - but honors if you can steal time sufficient to confer on Me three or four lines you will take me out of a very disagreable state of suspense - I need not repeat the particulars of the favours I ask'd at your hands, but I want much to know whether you had it in your power (for I never doubted of your inclination; [inserted: to comply -] but my debt to Mr Byrd gives me the most particular uneasiness. I wanted to know likewise whether you employ'd anybody to look out for a purchases of my estate and with what success for it is impossible for me to hold out another [inserted: year] in my present situation for as the taxes encrease and the means of selling any produce, at a tolerable price, every day deminishes [2] my debts must every day encrease in double proportion for interest as well as principal must be paid - my present tax in hard money I cannot pay a guinea of, and consequently must submit to be distress'd - now I talk of taxes I will venture to assert that Virginia cannot pay the fortieth part of the taxes resolv'd on - indeed it is plain that She never did pay when they were lighter) the fourth part [struck: tax] enacted it has been prov'd that only twenty five out of seventy three Counties have not eluded the payment, and it has also been prov'd that the small part which was collected, both hard money and produce, were never apply'd to the maintenance of the Army, or to any legitimate purpose but have somehow or other been lost on the road - I confess I am not politician enough to comprehend what Congress mean in declaring they will have no peace, [struck: &] however [3] salutary until their good allies assent; which construed into plain English is, that they will have no peace until France has stripp'd G Britain of all her possessions in the East and West Indies, in short not until France has secur'd the empire of the Sea which added to her immense national resources will enable her to give law to the whole world, and amongst the rest to scourge the Americans themselves when ever They grow naughty and refractory if Congress have bound themselves to this, by treaty, it may without rashness, be pronouncd they have acted insanely perniciously and indeed exceeded their powers to a treasonable length - but at least if They chuse to fight the battles of France to their own fate [illegible] They ought to insist [struck: at least] that the Party, which alone is to be the gainer, shou'd pay the expenses wholely - for a Man must be drunk or a lunatic who can suppose that this Country (If all the states I mean are in the [strike out: inserted: circumstances] of this) can Resist [4] Cloath and pay even the Skeleton of an Army but I am running into a labyrinth of politicks; [strike out] I shall therefore only once more repeat my request that you will write a few lines, to me on the subject: I mention'd - I likewise must entreat that you will make some inquiries about the money and interest due to me in S. Carolina for Mr. Rutledge flattered [inserted: me] that They were certainly able and willing to pay the interest at least, which at present wou'd make me easy and comfortable - I hope Mrs Morris and your Children are all in perfect health - I hear you have sent or are going to send your two eldest Sons to Geneva; They have certainly good Masters but [inserted: when] I was there, it was rather too expensive - wherever They go, I sincerely hope They will contribute to the honors and happiness of their Father and Mother
As I am most sincere of theirs
Charles Lee

[address leaf]
To
Robert Morris Esqr
Philadelphia
[docket]
Virginia 20 July
1782. Genl Lee