Revolutionary War hero (1756–1818), father of Robert E. Lee, who captured British posts in New York and in the South and who later served as Governor of Virginia and as a U.S. congressman. ALS, one page both sides, 7.25 x 9.25, no date, but postmarked December 10, 1796. Letter, in Lee’s difficult to decipher hand, to William Sullivan. In part: “Mr. Blake has avoided his notes, tho two letters to Mr. Taylor…discount them. He has led Mr. Taylor into a measure, the result of which does injury to that gentleman & discredits Mr. B…The payment will not be made pray tell and save me a very disagreeable ride which I otherwise shall undertake. Be so good as to interfere & prevent injury to as disappointment to both good friends.” Second integral page bears an address panel to Sullivan, done in another hand. In very good condition, with partial separations along intersecting mailing folds, light overall toning, reinforcement to vertical binding fold and second integral page, and small area of toning on second page from missing wax seal. Financial problems plagued Lee throughout his adult life. When son Robert was just four years old, Henry lost most of his fortune in speculation and was forced to move his family from their elegant Stratford home to a much smaller brick house in Alexandria. Here he lived in “genteel poverty,” struggling to maintain dignity while falling deeper into debt. In the end this hardship produced the unexpected outcome of helping to form son Robert E. Lee’s character of modesty, adaptability, and self-determination. RRAuction COA.
