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Letter to Editor
July 21, 1775
The Virginia Gazette
Williamsburg, Virginia
What is this article about?
In a letter from Philadelphia dated June 27, Charles Lee publicly renounces his British half-pay as an officer, protesting measures he views as destructive to subjects' rights, the empire, and the king's interests, while pledging zeal for honorable service.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
PHILADELPHIA, June 27.
To the right hon. lord viscount Barrington, his majesty's secretary at war.
My Lord,
ALTHOUGH I can by no means subscribe to the opinion of divers people in the world, that an officer on half-pay is to be considered in the service, yet I think it a point of delicacy to pay a deference to this opinion, erroneous and absurd as it is. I therefore apprise your lordship, in the most publick and solemn manner, that I do renounce my half-pay from the date hereof. At the same time, I beg leave to assure your lordship, that whenever it shall please his majesty to call me forth to any honourable service, against the natural hereditary enemies of our country, or in defence of his just rights and dignity, no man will obey the righteous summons with more zeal and alacrity than myself; but the present measures seem to me so absolutely subversive of the rights and liberties of every individual subject, so destructive to the whole empire at large, and ultimately so ruinous to his majesty's own person, dignity, and family, that I think myself obliged, in conscience, as a citizen, Englishman, and soldier of a free state, to exert my utmost to defeat them. I most devoutly pray to Almighty God to direct his majesty into measures more consonant to his interest and honour, and more conducive to the happiness and glory of his people.
I am, my lord,
your most obedient humble servant,
CHARLES LEE.
To the right hon. lord viscount Barrington, his majesty's secretary at war.
My Lord,
ALTHOUGH I can by no means subscribe to the opinion of divers people in the world, that an officer on half-pay is to be considered in the service, yet I think it a point of delicacy to pay a deference to this opinion, erroneous and absurd as it is. I therefore apprise your lordship, in the most publick and solemn manner, that I do renounce my half-pay from the date hereof. At the same time, I beg leave to assure your lordship, that whenever it shall please his majesty to call me forth to any honourable service, against the natural hereditary enemies of our country, or in defence of his just rights and dignity, no man will obey the righteous summons with more zeal and alacrity than myself; but the present measures seem to me so absolutely subversive of the rights and liberties of every individual subject, so destructive to the whole empire at large, and ultimately so ruinous to his majesty's own person, dignity, and family, that I think myself obliged, in conscience, as a citizen, Englishman, and soldier of a free state, to exert my utmost to defeat them. I most devoutly pray to Almighty God to direct his majesty into measures more consonant to his interest and honour, and more conducive to the happiness and glory of his people.
I am, my lord,
your most obedient humble servant,
CHARLES LEE.
What sub-type of article is it?
Political
Persuasive
Ethical Moral
What themes does it cover?
Politics
Constitutional Rights
What keywords are associated?
Half Pay Renunciation
Rights And Liberties
British Empire
Charles Lee
Colonial Protest
What entities or persons were involved?
Charles Lee
The Right Hon. Lord Viscount Barrington, His Majesty's Secretary At War
Letter to Editor Details
Author
Charles Lee
Recipient
The Right Hon. Lord Viscount Barrington, His Majesty's Secretary At War
Main Argument
renounces half-pay from the date hereof due to belief that current measures are subversive of rights and liberties, destructive to the empire, and ruinous to the king's interests, while offering to serve honorably against enemies or in defense of the king's just rights.
Notable Details
Public And Solemn Renunciation
Deference To Opinion On Half Pay Despite Disagreement
Prayer To Almighty God For The King's Guidance