1To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 23 August 1775 (Washington Papers)
A Gentleman whose name is Banister (as silly a Gentleman perhaps as lives) is accused by his Country men the People of Newport, of being a most violent Tory—I believe He is neither whig nor Tory, but an eater and drinker—it is in my opinion not worth troubling You with him—but I am oblig’d through complacency to the Corps herein, to refer him to your Excellency ⟨The⟩y will I suppose bring...
2To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 5 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
The consequences of the Enemy’s possessing themselves of New York have appear’d to me so terrible that I have scarcely been able to sleep from apprehensions on the subject—these apprehensions daily increase—You have it in your power at present to prevent this dreadfull event—if I do not mistake, the Congress have given you authority to take any step in that place as well as here which you...
3Instructions to Major General Charles Lee, 8 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
Having undoubted Intelligence of the fitting out of a Fleet at Boston, and of the Imbarkation of Troops from thence, which from the Season of the year, & other Circumstances must be destined for a Southern Expedition—and having such Information as I can rely on, that the Inhabitants (or great part of them) on Long Island in the Colony of New York are not only Inemical to the Rights and...
4To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 15 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
Major French whom I have met with at Hartford, is extremely solicitous for permission to return home, as He is confident that his whole fortunes depend upon his being immediately on the spot with his Friends at this instant as He is, I believe, a Man of strict honour his Parole not to serve for a given time against the Freedom of America wou’d be sufficient security—and as He has a Family to...
5To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 16 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
We have been so baffled by the weather that We only arriv’d here last night—I believe We shall find no difficulties in procuring a sufficient body of Volunteers for the N. York expedition—the unhappy accounts from Canada seem to animate these People rather than depress—indeed We have now occasion for exertion and decision—I am apprehensive that the Congress must be inspir’d by You They have...
6From George Washington to Major General Charles Lee, 23 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
I received your favour of the 16 Instt & am exceedingly sorry to hear, that Congress countermanded the embarkation of the two Regiments Intended agt the Tories on Long Island. they I doubt not had their reasons; But to me It appears that the period is arrived, when nothing less than the most decisive & vigorous measures should be pursued—Our Enemies from the other side of the Atlantic will be...
7To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 24 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
It was unnecessary sooner to trouble you with my scrowl—as I cou’d give you no information, the least interesting[.] I find the People through this Province more alert and zealous than my most sanguine expectation—I believe I might have collected ten thoushand Volunteers—I take only four Companies with me and Waterbury’s Regt which is so happily situated on the frontier—Wards Regt I have...
8From George Washington to Major General Charles Lee, 30 January 1776 (Washington Papers)
I wrote you the 23 Inst. & then Informed you that Genl Clinton had gone upon some expedition with 4 or 500 men; there is good reason to beleive that Tryon has applied for some Troops, & that he would join them with a great number of Inhabitants, so that you will see the necessity of your being decisive & expeditious in your operations in that Quarter—The Tories should be disarmed Immediately,...
9To George Washington from Major General Charles Lee, 5–6 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
I arriv’d here yesterday but not without some difficulty—my disorder encreas’d rather than diminish’d, so that I was under the necessity of being carried in a litter a considerable part of the way. I consider it as a piece of the greatest good Fortune that the Congress have detach’d a Committee to this place—otherwise I shou’d have made a most ridiculous figure, besides bringing upon myself...
10From George Washington to Major General Charles Lee, 10 February 1776 (Washington Papers)
I was very sorry to find by your Letter of the 29th Ulto which is the last I have received from you, that you were confined by the Gout; but having had some casual acct of your Moving on, I expect you have, e’er this, settled some Plan with the Committee of Congress for your Operation’s at New York &ca, & therefore, any direction of mine would be unseasonable. If the Asia Man of War lay in the...