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LEE, Richard Henry (1732-1794), Signer (Virginia). Autograph letter signed ("Richard Henry Lee"), TO PATRICK HENRY (1736-1799), New York, 28 May 1789. 2½ pages, folio, address panel on verso of second leaf with several seal holes (one beneath signature), old repairs at center fold..
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LEE, Richard Henry (1732-1794), Signer (Virginia). Autograph letter signed ("Richard Henry Lee"), TO PATRICK HENRY (1736-1799), New York, 28 May 1789. 2½ pages, folio, address panel on verso of second leaf with several seal holes (one beneath signature), old repairs at center fold..
CONGRESS PREPARES TO DEBATE THE BILL OF RIGHTS: "MR. MADISON HAS GIVEN NOTICE...HE WILL CALL FOR THE ATTENTION OF THE HOUSE TO THE SUBJECT OF AMENDMENTS"
An important letter, written a month after Washington's inauguration, anticipating Congress's debates over the first amendments to the new Constitution: the Bill of Rights. Lee, writing to Henry, one of the most influential opponents of the new system, affirms that "the liberties of the people are not as safe under the gracious manner of government, as by the limitation of powers." He reports in detail on important legislation to be considered by the first Congress, notably James Madison's proposals of the Bill of Rights, introduced 12 days after this letter: "Mr. Madison has given notice, that on Monday sennight [i.e., a week from Monday], he will call for the attention of the House to the subject of Amendments." Not all of Madison's proposed amendments will be accepted, Lee fears (10 were ultimately ratifiied), but he hopes that "such amendments as may effectually secure Civil Liberty will not be refused." Securing "civil liberty...was, I assure you, the sole reason that could have influenced me to come here."
He adds that "An Act has passed Congress for administering the Constitutional Oath, and an Impost bill is now before the Senate from the H. of Representatives. The duties are thought too high, and we are proposing a reduction...a plan is forming for establishing the Judiciary system." What he has seen so far of this measure gives Lee comfort that the Federal judiciary will be "free from those vexations and abuses that might have been warranted by the terms of the Constitution. It must, however, never be forgotten, that the liberties of the people are not as safe under the gracious manner of government, as by the limitation of powers."
Turning to foreign affairs, he speculates on relations between Spain and the U.S. over the Florida colonies. He predicts they will be "firm and immutable in friendship, but very inveterate in enmity" if Spain feels the U.S. is trying to encroach "upon their territory, especially that from whence they derive their wealth." He urges a cooperative and conciliatory manner towards them, the more so since "in case of a quarrel with us, France will, upon principles of the Bourbon alliance, inevitably join them." England had also been making diplomatic overtures to court Spanish good will, he points out. With France in mind he also alludes to the first stirrings of revolutionary upheaval there: "The eyes of Europe are now turned upon the meeting of the States General in France. If that people succeed in restoring their Antient liberty, France will be the most potent empire in Europe." He also vents his rage at the anonymous "scurrilous" newspaper attacks by the Federalist press, especially "the most contemptible...Decius," whose "effusions" Lee finds "pretty similar to the genius and spirit that has animated the rest of his party." Lee, for his part, was as good as his word, giving up his Senate seat once the Bill of Rights passed the Congress and went out to the States for ratification.
Altogether a wonderful letter on the political, diplomatic and constitutional changes transpiring in those heady, historic early days of the American republic. Published in Lee's Letters, ed. J.C. Ballagh, vol. 2, pp.486-489; cited in Creating the Bill of Rights: A Documentary Record from the First Federal Congress, ed. Viet et al, pp.240-241. Full transcription available on request.
CONGRESS PREPARES TO DEBATE THE BILL OF RIGHTS: "MR. MADISON HAS GIVEN NOTICE...HE WILL CALL FOR THE ATTENTION OF THE HOUSE TO THE SUBJECT OF AMENDMENTS"
An important letter, written a month after Washington's inauguration, anticipating Congress's debates over the first amendments to the new Constitution: the Bill of Rights. Lee, writing to Henry, one of the most influential opponents of the new system, affirms that "the liberties of the people are not as safe under the gracious manner of government, as by the limitation of powers." He reports in detail on important legislation to be considered by the first Congress, notably James Madison's proposals of the Bill of Rights, introduced 12 days after this letter: "Mr. Madison has given notice, that on Monday sennight [i.e., a week from Monday], he will call for the attention of the House to the subject of Amendments." Not all of Madison's proposed amendments will be accepted, Lee fears (10 were ultimately ratifiied), but he hopes that "such amendments as may effectually secure Civil Liberty will not be refused." Securing "civil liberty...was, I assure you, the sole reason that could have influenced me to come here."
He adds that "An Act has passed Congress for administering the Constitutional Oath, and an Impost bill is now before the Senate from the H. of Representatives. The duties are thought too high, and we are proposing a reduction...a plan is forming for establishing the Judiciary system." What he has seen so far of this measure gives Lee comfort that the Federal judiciary will be "free from those vexations and abuses that might have been warranted by the terms of the Constitution. It must, however, never be forgotten, that the liberties of the people are not as safe under the gracious manner of government, as by the limitation of powers."
Turning to foreign affairs, he speculates on relations between Spain and the U.S. over the Florida colonies. He predicts they will be "firm and immutable in friendship, but very inveterate in enmity" if Spain feels the U.S. is trying to encroach "upon their territory, especially that from whence they derive their wealth." He urges a cooperative and conciliatory manner towards them, the more so since "in case of a quarrel with us, France will, upon principles of the Bourbon alliance, inevitably join them." England had also been making diplomatic overtures to court Spanish good will, he points out. With France in mind he also alludes to the first stirrings of revolutionary upheaval there: "The eyes of Europe are now turned upon the meeting of the States General in France. If that people succeed in restoring their Antient liberty, France will be the most potent empire in Europe." He also vents his rage at the anonymous "scurrilous" newspaper attacks by the Federalist press, especially "the most contemptible...Decius," whose "effusions" Lee finds "pretty similar to the genius and spirit that has animated the rest of his party." Lee, for his part, was as good as his word, giving up his Senate seat once the Bill of Rights passed the Congress and went out to the States for ratification.
Altogether a wonderful letter on the political, diplomatic and constitutional changes transpiring in those heady, historic early days of the American republic. Published in Lee's Letters, ed. J.C. Ballagh, vol. 2, pp.486-489; cited in Creating the Bill of Rights: A Documentary Record from the First Federal Congress, ed. Viet et al, pp.240-241. Full transcription available on request.