![LEE, Francis Lightfoot (1734-1797), Signer (Virginia). Autograph letter signed ("Francis Lightfoot Lee") to Col. Landon Carter, Sabine Hall, Richmond County; Philadelphia, 16 July 1776. 1 full page, small 4to, neatly inlaid, tiny losses along folds affecting a few letters, original address panel trimmed and mounted on verso. [With:] LEE. Autograph free frank ("free F.L. Lee") on address panel.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2006/NYR/2006_NYR_01636_0013_000(120829).jpg?w=1)
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LEE, Francis Lightfoot (1734-1797), Signer (Virginia). Autograph letter signed ("Francis Lightfoot Lee") to Col. Landon Carter, Sabine Hall, Richmond County; Philadelphia, 16 July 1776. 1 full page, small 4to, neatly inlaid, tiny losses along folds affecting a few letters, original address panel trimmed and mounted on verso. [With:] LEE. Autograph free frank ("free F.L. Lee") on address panel.
TWO WEEKS AFTER THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE IS APPROVED, LEE OBSERVES THAT "...SLAVERY PLANTS A VICE, WHERE A VIRTUE MIGHT BE EXPECTED..."
A delightfully affable letter to an old friend; Lee signs himself "your affectionate friend till death." From the Continental Congress, writing not long after the momentous vote for Independence, Lee comments on slaves who have runaway to join the British "arch-devils." Lee writes: "It is an age since I had the pleasure of receiving a Letter from you, which, tho' I have no right to expect it, on the score of a debt, yet...I am at a loss to account for. You know I was never overpunctual in my correspondences, & I fear I am rather too old, to acquire new habits, tho' more anxious to preserve old friendships. The pleasure I feel when I hear from Sabine Hall [Carter's home], makes me sensible how happy I shall be to return to my old neighbourhood. It gives me concern to hear that some of your negroes have joined the [arch Devils] & my friend Mr. Carter's favorite servant too! But slavery plants a vice, where a virtue might be expected. Your Government [Virginia's] I find is at length completed; God send it may procure internal peace & happiness to the Country. How do you like it? We have very little new at this time, my letter to Col. Taylor [Lee's father-in-law] will inform you of the situation of our affairs...."
RARE: ONE OF ONLY TWO LEE LETTERS DATED 1776 TO BE OFFERED AT AUCTION SINCE 1975. In Congress, Lee seldom spoke, but served the Marine Committee and that charged with drafting the Articles of Confederation. "He would have ranked as one of the leaders of the American Revolution if he had been a good speaker....But he was shy and inarticulate in public bodies and his excellent committee work remained unknown to the general public" (H. J. Eckenrode, in DAB).
Provenance: Philip D. Sang (sale, Sotheby Parke Bernet, 26 April 1778, part lot 262).
TWO WEEKS AFTER THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE IS APPROVED, LEE OBSERVES THAT "...SLAVERY PLANTS A VICE, WHERE A VIRTUE MIGHT BE EXPECTED..."
A delightfully affable letter to an old friend; Lee signs himself "your affectionate friend till death." From the Continental Congress, writing not long after the momentous vote for Independence, Lee comments on slaves who have runaway to join the British "arch-devils." Lee writes: "It is an age since I had the pleasure of receiving a Letter from you, which, tho' I have no right to expect it, on the score of a debt, yet...I am at a loss to account for. You know I was never overpunctual in my correspondences, & I fear I am rather too old, to acquire new habits, tho' more anxious to preserve old friendships. The pleasure I feel when I hear from Sabine Hall [Carter's home], makes me sensible how happy I shall be to return to my old neighbourhood. It gives me concern to hear that some of your negroes have joined the [arch Devils] & my friend Mr. Carter's favorite servant too! But slavery plants a vice, where a virtue might be expected. Your Government [Virginia's] I find is at length completed; God send it may procure internal peace & happiness to the Country. How do you like it? We have very little new at this time, my letter to Col. Taylor [Lee's father-in-law] will inform you of the situation of our affairs...."
RARE: ONE OF ONLY TWO LEE LETTERS DATED 1776 TO BE OFFERED AT AUCTION SINCE 1975. In Congress, Lee seldom spoke, but served the Marine Committee and that charged with drafting the Articles of Confederation. "He would have ranked as one of the leaders of the American Revolution if he had been a good speaker....But he was shy and inarticulate in public bodies and his excellent committee work remained unknown to the general public" (H. J. Eckenrode, in DAB).
Provenance: Philip D. Sang (sale, Sotheby Parke Bernet, 26 April 1778, part lot 262).