LEE, Charles, Major General, Continental Army. Autograph letter signed ("C Lee") TO PHILIP SCHUYLER, New York, 28 February [1776]. 4to, edges uncut, small marginal ink stain, otherwise fine. LEE'S BRIEF COMMAND OF THE NORTHERN DEPARTMENT. A letter written just after Lee was named by Congress to succeed Schuyler in command of the Northern Department. "...I have inclose[d] to you a letter to Gen. Washington...informing of my appointment - I have order'd him to send down the Commanding Officer of Crown Point to send down to Sorel [Canada] a certain number of cannon of which inclosd is a list, but as they cannot be transported without your assistance from Albany, I must request therefore that you will apply to the Committee there for Horses and the necessary Carriages for their transportation. You are a much better judge than I can possibly be of the nature of these Carriages, Whether they should be slays [sleighs] or what they shoud be. I shall see [you] in a very few days, have much to say to you on the subject of N. York." He concludes "Adieu, My Dr General, take ease of your health." Schuyler was unable to take much of an active role during this time due to severe gout, but was instrumental in forwarding supplies from Albany during the Canadian invasion. The day after this letter, Congress changed Lee's orders, sending him instead to command the Southern Department. But in December 1776, Lee was captured at Basking Ridge, N.J., and remained in New York as a prisoner of the British until April 1778, during which period he actually offered his captors a plan by which the American colonies might be successfully conquered. Rejoining Washington's army, his uselessness was revealed in his conduct at Monmouth.

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LEE, Charles, Major General, Continental Army. Autograph letter signed ("C Lee") TO PHILIP SCHUYLER, New York, 28 February [1776]. 4to, edges uncut, small marginal ink stain, otherwise fine. LEE'S BRIEF COMMAND OF THE NORTHERN DEPARTMENT. A letter written just after Lee was named by Congress to succeed Schuyler in command of the Northern Department. "...I have inclose[d] to you a letter to Gen. Washington...informing of my appointment - I have order'd him to send down the Commanding Officer of Crown Point to send down to Sorel [Canada] a certain number of cannon of which inclosd is a list, but as they cannot be transported without your assistance from Albany, I must request therefore that you will apply to the Committee there for Horses and the necessary Carriages for their transportation. You are a much better judge than I can possibly be of the nature of these Carriages, Whether they should be slays [sleighs] or what they shoud be. I shall see [you] in a very few days, have much to say to you on the subject of N. York." He concludes "Adieu, My Dr General, take ease of your health." Schuyler was unable to take much of an active role during this time due to severe gout, but was instrumental in forwarding supplies from Albany during the Canadian invasion. The day after this letter, Congress changed Lee's orders, sending him instead to command the Southern Department. But in December 1776, Lee was captured at Basking Ridge, N.J., and remained in New York as a prisoner of the British until April 1778, during which period he actually offered his captors a plan by which the American colonies might be successfully conquered. Rejoining Washington's army, his uselessness was revealed in his conduct at Monmouth.

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