Details
[WASHINGTON, George.] LEE, Henry ("Lighthorse Harry") (1756-1818). Autograph letter signed ("Henry Lee"), to Jonathan Dayton (1760-1824), 20 December 1799. 1 page, bifolium, blank integral leaf.
LEE AGREES TO DELIVER WASHINGTON'S EULOGY BEFORE CONGRESS
WHERE HE IMMORTALIZED HIM AS "FIRST IN WAR, FIRST IN PEACE, FIRST IN THE HEARTS OF HIS COUNTRYMEN." Lee humbly accepts the invitation from the Speaker of the House to deliver the eulogy of George Washington: "Your own knowledge, my dear sir, of my solicitude to avoid the honorable duty which your letter with its enclosures announces...will readily lead you to conceive the difficulty I have had to surmount in bringing my mind to acquiescence with the will of the two houses..." But, "I must & will attempt the accomplishment of their object, leaning entirely on their candor & goodness for a favorable reception of my insufficient but sincere endeavors."
Lee was a neighbor of Washington and served in the Revolutionary War as a captain of the Virginia Dragoons, rising eventually to the rank of Lt. Col. He led troops in Washington's force that put down the Whiskey Rebellion in 1794 and was only recently elected to Congress in 1799 as a Federalist when asked to deliver Washington's eulogy. On 26 December before both Houses of Congress he described Washington as: "First in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen, he was second to none in the humble and endearing scenes of private life. Pious, just, humane, temperate and sincere--uniform, dignified and commanding--his example was as edifying to all around him as were the effects of that example lasting.... Correct throughout, vice shuddered in his presence and virtue always felt his fostering hand. The purity of his private character gave effulgence to his public virtues.... Such was the man for whom our nation mourns..." [With:] LEE. Autograph letter signed ("Henry Lee, Genl."), TO MAJ. GEN. NATHANEAL GREENE, 24 September 1781. 1 page, bifolium, blank integral leaf, edges repaired. "Lt. lewis of the legion," Lee writes, "has asked permission to resign for the purpose of engaging in a state regt to be raised by Lt. Col. Hammond..." Together 2 items. (2)
LEE AGREES TO DELIVER WASHINGTON'S EULOGY BEFORE CONGRESS
WHERE HE IMMORTALIZED HIM AS "FIRST IN WAR, FIRST IN PEACE, FIRST IN THE HEARTS OF HIS COUNTRYMEN." Lee humbly accepts the invitation from the Speaker of the House to deliver the eulogy of George Washington: "Your own knowledge, my dear sir, of my solicitude to avoid the honorable duty which your letter with its enclosures announces...will readily lead you to conceive the difficulty I have had to surmount in bringing my mind to acquiescence with the will of the two houses..." But, "I must & will attempt the accomplishment of their object, leaning entirely on their candor & goodness for a favorable reception of my insufficient but sincere endeavors."
Lee was a neighbor of Washington and served in the Revolutionary War as a captain of the Virginia Dragoons, rising eventually to the rank of Lt. Col. He led troops in Washington's force that put down the Whiskey Rebellion in 1794 and was only recently elected to Congress in 1799 as a Federalist when asked to deliver Washington's eulogy. On 26 December before both Houses of Congress he described Washington as: "First in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen, he was second to none in the humble and endearing scenes of private life. Pious, just, humane, temperate and sincere--uniform, dignified and commanding--his example was as edifying to all around him as were the effects of that example lasting.... Correct throughout, vice shuddered in his presence and virtue always felt his fostering hand. The purity of his private character gave effulgence to his public virtues.... Such was the man for whom our nation mourns..." [With:] LEE. Autograph letter signed ("Henry Lee, Genl."), TO MAJ. GEN. NATHANEAL GREENE, 24 September 1781. 1 page, bifolium, blank integral leaf, edges repaired. "Lt. lewis of the legion," Lee writes, "has asked permission to resign for the purpose of engaging in a state regt to be raised by Lt. Col. Hammond..." Together 2 items. (2)