Page:Charles Lee Papers 1873 Vol 3.djvu/335

316 remitted to this Country and put out to interest in S. Carolina but of interest of this, I have never yet received one farthing and if I was to receive it, at present, it wou'd be oi little or no value—So that in fact from near a thousand pounds a year clear income (an income which could not have been impaired had the tyrannical schemes of The Ministry succeeded so that my predicament is singular) from an income of near one thousand pounds a year from my zeal for this Country I am reduced to nothing at all, to absolute beggary—it is true the Congress advanced me a sum for the purchase of my farm—but unless I am furnished with the means of putting this farm in some or- der I had better or at least should be full as well without it—I therefore most earnestly intreat Congress either to permit me to draw this money from N York whilst it is in my power or to give me an order for that sum in hard money—tho' in my opinion, the former wou'd be the more advantageous—and, if there is any objection from the precedent, I hope the great peculiarity of my case may obviate it. I am, Sir, with the greatest respect, Your most obedt humble Servt.

Philada. March 1st 1779.

I cannot omit embracing the favourable opportunity which now offers to Boston of acknowledging to you, the continuance of my friendship for you, and your good family—The influence of a party drove me from public life.—I now live wholly for the benefit of an amiable wife, and two children, and of my patients. But from the vale into which I have descended I often look back upon those illustrious republicans with whom I engaged in the present controversy with