Primary tabs
London, July 6, 1776.
DEAR SIR: This will be delivered to you by Mr˙ Ellis, a friend of Dr˙ Franklin, of liberty, and of America. He is a philosopher, very well instructed on the subject of America, and, I trust, will be both an agreeable and useful acquaintance while he remains near you.
I thank you for your favour of the 21st of last month. By the last advices from America, General Howe was prepared to sail for Halifax, and, it is imagined, to land at New York, where he will certainly be strongly opposed. He numbers ten thousand regulars, and it will be fortunate for us if he
The Americans have taken post upon the river Richelieu and the Lakes, so that Montreal, not being tenable, is evacuated. General Lee is in Virginia, with ten thousand men, expecting Lord Cornwallis and General Clinton. General Washington commands at New York, and General Ward in Boston.
The strange timidity de la Cour Française requires great patience and management; but I think it will at last be brought to act an avowed and decided part. When that happens, Angleterre must submit to whatever terms they please to impose, for she is totally incapable of sustaining a war with France.
Adieu,Letter from Arthur Lee to Charles W. F. Dumas
v1:30
v1:31
makes his attempt before he is joined by the Germans, who sailed the 6th of May.
ARTHUR LEE.