Williamsbg 29th June, 1776.
MY DEAR FRIEND,
The desire of being here at the formation of our new Government brought me from Philadelphia the 13th of this month. I have been in this City a week where I have had the pleasure to see our new plan of Government go on well. This day will put a finishing hand to it. ’Tis very much of the democratic kind, altho’ a Governor and second branch of legislation are admitted, for the former is not permitted voice in Legislation, he is in all things to be advised by his Privy Council, and both are by joint ballot of both houses to be chosen annually, altho’ the Governor may be continued in Office 3 years, after which he is not eligible for 4 years. Both the Houses of the Legislature are chosen by the whole body of the people—Our former House of Burgesses, now called the House of Delegates to be chosen annually in the usual manner. The other House, now called the House of Senators is to be 24 in number and to be chosen from Districts into which the Country is to be laid off. One fourth of this Body
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go out annually by rotation, and the vacancy filled by the District whence they came. The Judges and other Great Officers of State are to be chosen by Joint ballot of both houses, and to hold their Offices during good behaviour. These are the outlines of our political machine, which I hope is sufficiently guarded against the Monster Tyranny. When I left Philadelphia the Military arrangement stood thus—For N. York, 10,000 regular troops joined by 15,000 militia—For Canada 7,000 regulars joined by 6,000 militia and 2000 Indians, a Flying Camp of 10,000 in the middle Colonies—11 Battalions in the eastern Colonies and 23 in the Southern. Gen. Wooster had so misconducted matters in Canada, that with very little opposition our Troops were obligated to retreat to the mouth of Sorell, and a Regiment posted at the Cedars, 12 miles above Montreal was shamefully surrendered to a party of the Enemy coming from Niagara. The letters by this post from Phila tell us that our affairs in that Country were recovering fast, and that Gen. Thompson, with 2000 men was gone down to Dechambeau or Falls of Richelieu, to dispossess 300 regular Troops there, and recover that important post. I incline to think our friend Genl. Gates will be sent to Canada as Chief Commander, poor Thomas having died at Chamblée of the small pox. We have already taken three transports with Highlanders—The 217 that have fallen to our share are distributed thro’ this Colony, a few in each County, and permitted to hire themselves out to labour, thus to become the Citizens of America instead of its enemies. Great distress prevails in the British West Indies, and the French preparations in that part of the World, formidable. The news of Phila when I came away was that the Court of France had stopt the Hessians &c from coming here. I have not the least doubt but that Independence will, in a few days, be publicly announced by the General Congress. All restraining instructions are now removed except from Maryland, and there, the people were up, and instruc-
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tions sending from all parts to their Convention, which met 10 days ago, expressly directing to rescind their instructions and pursue a different line of political conduct. I incline to think therefore that Independence will carry it nem. con. And Foreign Alliance immediately sought. The business of Confederation will also then be set on foot.
I shall return to Chantilly in a few days and remain there until the last of August, when I go to Philadelphia. It will give me a singular pleasure to hear from you when your leisure will permit, because there is nothing I more sincerely wish than to know that you are happy and successful.
Remember me to Mr President Rutledge, and tell my friend Gen. Gadsden, that I remember him with much affection.
Farewell my dear friend
RICHARD HENRY LEE.
