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445

Charles Lee

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:400.00 - 600.00 USD
Charles Lee

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Auction Date:2010 Jul 14 @ 22:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
British soldier turned Virginia planter (1732-1782) who was a general officer of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War. Lee is most notorious for his actions during the Battle of Monmouth, where he disobeyed orders from George Washington and retreated directly into the general and his advancing troops, earning Lee a public rebuke. Lee responded with ‘inappropriate language,’ was court-martialed, and relieved of command for one year. Revolutionary War-dated ALS, four pages on two adjoining sheets, 6.25 x 8, March 14, 1782. Letter to General Nathanael Greene. In full: “I sincerely congratulate you on the honour you have so justly acquired but as some alloy to your happiness I must freely give you my opinion that (notwithstanding your success, and the non-whimsical affair of Cornwallis) the situation of this Country wears a most dreary aspect – if Mr. Montesquieu’s position is just, that great virtue is the necessary basis of republican governments, it may be pronounc’d that these middle States (for I do not allude to the Eastern) cannot stand on their legs two years longer, Virginia in particular is so horridly deficient in all republican qualifications, ideas and wishes, that they are not even fit for a moderate monarchy; the most idolatrous servitude seems to be their proper sphere. They have already borne things (I am sure) which the Turks, or Slaves of Morocco wou’d have revolted at – every [?] of their laws, is a premium for baseness treachery dishonesty and indolence, and a penalty on integrity generosity fair dealing and industry. I can, without scandal, aver, that not an individual of their leading Men (Richard H. Lee excepted) but has been convicted of some dishonourable personal job – but to come to generals, what do you think of twenty five Counties, out of seventy two, being saddled with the whole expense of the war? The rest have not (and I believe will not) contribute a single shilling – in short you might as wisely attempt to form a good Corps of light infantry out of rickety Children, or razors of the bluntest wood, as to make republicans of the Virginians.

To sum up all in a few words; so odious is the present tyrannical anarchy We groan under, and so little prospect is there of our condition being better’d, that coud I disentangle my property, I wou’d, (to express myself a la black-guar) rather marry the Devil’s Daughter, and go and live with the old Folks, than remain a single instant in this accursed Pandemonium. –Adieu My Dr. Sir, may you be personally happy, for I despair (if you are an honest Man) of your being politically so, and may you meet with more gratitude from Congress and other public Bodies than I have.”

Several professional repairs to horizontal folds and hinge, somewhat irregular light overall toning, with a heavier strip along left edge of front page, show-through from text on reverse, and a couple of ink spots to signature, otherwise very good condition. Letter was originally offered by Sotheby’s as part of the James S. Copley Library of American historical documents, and is accompanied by the original Sotheby’s folder.

Dismissed from the army and living penniless at his undeveloped estate in Virginia, the general here briefly compliments General Greene on a victory in South Carolina...but quickly turns to a condemnation of his home state. “They have already borne things (I am sure) which the Turks, or Slaves of Morocco wou’d have revolted at – every [?] of their laws, is a premium for baseness treachery dishonesty and indolence, and a penalty on integrity generosity fair dealing and industry,” he rants. Even so, Lee was still a revolutionary and Republican who hated slavery. As stated in the letter: “Virginia in particular is so horridly deficient in all republican qualifications, ideas and wishes, that they are not even fit for a moderate monarchy.” An amazingly vitriolic letter from a disgraced leader who would be dead seven months later.
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