Richard Henry Lee
Richard Henry Lee
A resolution Lee did endeavor,
Our ties to Britain that we should sever.
It is certainly true that a popular
government cannot flourish without virtue in the people.
Richard Henry Lee, letter to Colonel Martin
Pickett, March 5, 1786
Richard Henry Lee was born in Virginia, descending from a long line of
families distinguished for their intellect, virtue, and subsequent wealth.
Educated in England, he found he enjoyed ancient history and the w
orld
of ideas, particularly those involved in running a successful government.
As time passed, he became well known for wise analysis and also became more interested in politics. Even as a younghede, it was said that he inspired such confidence with his judgment and integrity that numbers of people on their dying beds asked him to be guardian of their children.
He learned to become a fearless and independently-thinking orator. One feeling that he let be known with great eloquence of speech was that he wanted slavery GONE. He spoke strongly in favor of laying a heavy duty on the importation of slaves, so heavy that it would stop that "disgraceful traffic."
Against the Stamp Act, he organized the first association in Virginia for opposing British oppression. Even though his family had enjoyed social station and rank amongst the aristocracy, he didn't want luxury at the price of misrule. He learned of Britain's strategies against America through letters from his brother Arthur, who was well received as an associate amongst the swells in London. This political intelligence served to inflame the sentiments of Richard Henry who used every opportunity to speak against British oppression.
His brother William was in London September 10, 1774, and wrote to Richard about a possible war. We read in part:
I have perused your letter to our brother, Arthur Lee, as he is absent on a tour to Italy. I find from a letter of our brother, Francis Lightfoot Lee, an idea has been entertained in Virginia of paying for the East India Company's tea destroyed at Boston; I cannot think such a measure will be adopted at the Congress. In my judgment it is totally wrong and cannot be supported on any principle of Policy of Justice.......
A settled plan is laid to subvert the liberties and constitution of this country, as well as that of America. You are personally obnoxious to the King and his Junto, as having shown more spirit in support of your rights than the people of this country, who are immersed in riches, luxury, and dissipation. Therefore, every nerve will be exerted to subdue your spirit, and make you first bow your necks to the yoke, which will prove a useful example to the people at home. The plan is deeply laid by the King, Lords Bute, Mansfield, and Wedderburne; for which purpose they employ the most useful tools in the kingdom; Lord North, a tyrant from principle, cunning, treacherous and persevering, a perfect adept; and his brother-law, Lord Dartmouth, who will whine, preach and cry, while he is preparing privately a dagger to stab you to the heart....
From these facts it is evident that open war is intended against you, provided the people here sit still, and the question is, how are you to oppose it?....However, let us consider what peaceable steps should be first pursued, that your last efforts may be warrantable in the eyes of God and Man....
It was as a delegate in the Congress of June 7, 1776, that destiny swirled around Lee in his momentous introduction of the resolution:
Resolved, That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown; and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.
"Why then, sir do we longer delay! Why still deliberate! Let this happy day give birth to an American republic! Let her arise, not to devastate and conquer, but to re-establish the reign of peace and law. The eyes of Europe are fixed upon us; she demands of us a living example of freedom, that may exhibit a contrast, in the felicity of the citizen, to the ever-increasing tyranny which desolates her polluted shores. She invites us to prepare an asylum where the unhappy may find solace, and the persecuted repose. She entreats us to cultivate a propitious soil, where that genuine plant, which first sprang and grew in England, but is now withered by the blasts of Scottish tyranny, may revive and flourish, sheltering under its salubrious and interminable shade all the unfortunate of the human race. If we are not this day wanting in our duty to our country, the names of the American legislators of '76 will be placed by posterity at the side of those of Theseus, of Lycurgus, of Romulus, of Numa, of the three Williams of Nassau, and of all those whose memory has been, and forever will be, dear to virtuous men and good citizens."
Soon after his resolution, the Declaration was written, presented, amended, and adopted by unanimous vote. Lee continued working hard in Congress until 1779 when, as a lieutenant, he was at the head of the militia in defense of his state. It was about this time when he was actually accused of being a velvet-headed Tory because he accepted produce as pay instead of the continental currency, which was depreciated. Not letting the matter slip, he demanded an investigation before the Virginia assembly. The investigation revealed his steadfast patriotism and service for which he received a resolution of thanks; and he was immediately re-elected to a seat in Congress. In 1783, he was unanimously elected president of congress and later chosen to be the first senator from Virginia under the newly adopted constitution.
mmended
setting apart:Thursday, the 18th of December next, for solemn thanksgiving and praise, that with one heart and one voice the good people may express the grateful feelings of their hearts, and consecrate themselves to the service of their Divine Benefactor; ... that it may please God, through the merits of Jesus Christ, mercifully to forgive and blot them out of remembrance.
When the evening of life began to catch up with him, he retired to a private life and peacefully passed away at the age of 64.
"Mr. Lee was a sincere practical Christian, a kind and affectionate husband and parent, a generous neighbor, a constant friend, and in all the relations of life, he maintained a character above reproach. "His hospitable door," says Sanderson, "was open to all; the poor and the destitute frequented it for relief, and consolation; the young for instruction; the old for happiness; while a numerous family of children, the offspring of two marriages, clustered around and clung to each other in fond affection, imbibing and delighted by the amiable serenity and captivating graces of his conversation. He necessities of his country occasioned frequent absence; but every return to his home was celebrated by the people as a festival; for he was their physician, their counsellor, and the arbiter of their differences. The medicines which he imported were carefully and judiciously dispensed; and the equity of his decision was never controverted by a court of law."
B. J. Lossing, Signers of the Declaration of Independence, George F. Cooledge & Brother: New York (1848) [reprinted in Lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, WallBuilder Press: Aledo, Texas (1995)], page 173: http://www.adherents.com/people/pl/Richard_Henry_Lee.html Robert G. Ferris (editor), Signers of the Declaration: Historic Places Commemorating the Signing of the Declaration of Independence, published by the United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service: Washington, D.C. (revised edition 1975), page 92-94.
Image of Lee by Ole Erekson, Engraver, c1876, Library of Congress
Letter from John Witherspoon to To: Richard Henry Lee 1781
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
James 1:5