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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 William Whipple

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06411 Author/Creator: Lee, Richard Henry, 1732-1794 Place Written: Chantilly, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 26 June 1779 Pagination: 2 p. : address : docket ; Height: 32.5 cm, Width: 20 cm Order a Copy

Colonel Lee, a Continental Congressman, discusses politics with Whipple, who was in Congress in Philadelphia. Of Virginia, states "We have neither wicked ... or foolish Politicians here, whose misconduct makes us fear for the safety of our country. I have frequently admired the philosophic ease with which you have contemptuously viewed proceedings in Congress that Town shocked me exceedingly." Mentions Samuel Adams's departure from Congress. Requests that Whipple, chairman of the Marine Committee, order several frigates into the Chesapeake Bay stating "The Confederacy & the Boston can with infinite ease destroy the enemies Vessels that are doing us so much injury, and creating so great expense by frequent calls for militia." Reports on various British naval assaults in the area. Requests that Whipple transmit an enclosed item (not included) to Mr. Bradford.

Lee, Richard Henry, 1732-1794
Whipple, William, 1730-1785
Adams, Samuel, 1722-1803

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