Thomas Jefferson Papers

To Thomas Jefferson from William Lee, 21 July 1780

From William Lee

Bruxelles. 21 July. 80.

As it is fair to judge of the future by the past I may venture to take it for granted that those whose particular duty it is, will not take the trouble of giving you the following intelligence for which I shall not make any apolegy for doing myself. Since the surrender of C. Town and the subsequent advices from G. Clinton from So. Carol: as late as the 5. of June last, the Br. Ministry do not think of any peace with [America] but on the terms of unconditional submission and about 10 daies ago orders were sent to Geo. Clint: and Cornwallis to bend their whole fo[rce] 1st. against N.C. and then against Virga., so to advance Northward as fast as they can. The Tories and discontented will no doubt slight this intelli[gence] in hopes that you may be taken unprepar’d, but I presume you will look upon it in a different light and act accordingly. The uncertainty of this letter getting safe to hand makes me conclude without adding farther than that I have the Honor &c.

FC (ViHi), in Lee’s Letter Book. At head of text: “Excy. Thos. Jefferson Gov. of Virga.” A nearly complete copy (Vi) of this letter was transmitted by TJ in a letter to Speaker Harrison, 11 Dec. 1780, q.v.

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