128 FROM MANN 16 SEPTEMBER 1775

From MANN, Saturday 16 September 1775

Misdated '1772' by Mann. Part of the third paragraph was printed in Doran ii. 232-3, likewise misdated 1772. Florence, September 16, 1772 [1775]. My dear Sir, I KNOW your repugnance either to write or receive letters at Paris, and I have respected your delicacy in that point by not having troubled you with any from hence, but as I suppose that by the time this reaches England, you may be returned thither, I cannot defer any longer to inquire after your health and to assure you how happy a few lines from you would make me. I wish to be guided in my sentiments about the American affairs and to know the result of Mr Penn's1 (may I call it) mediation with the government on that subject. I see by the public papers2 a furious upstart hero and poli­ tician come forth in favour of the colonies. The occasion suits too well with his turbulent spirit to lose such an opportunity to make himself conspicuous, even in rebellion. General Lee3 was my dear Gal's ward. I have known him here intimately4 from that circum-

1. Richard Penn (?i734-i8n), M.P. Aug. by Penn and Lee, Force, op. cit. iii. Appleby 1784-90, Haslemere 1790-1, 255), or read in the newspapers 'that the 1802-6, Lancaster 1796-1802; lieutenant- petition and address from the Continental governor of Pennsylvania 1771-3; he re­ Congress will not be received, that assem­ turned to England 13 Aug. (Edmund bly not being deemed constitutional or Burke, Correspondence, Vol. Ill, ed. Gut- legal' (Daily Adv. 25 Aug.). The petition tridge, Cambridge, 1961, p. 188), with a was laid before the 6 petition to the King and other papers Nov., and considered 7 Nov. (Journals of adopted by the on the House of Lords, loc. cit.). 8 July (Journals of the Continental Con­ 2. Charles Lee's letter to Barrington of gress, Washington, 1904-37, ii. 158-72). 24 June, renouncing his half-pay com­ Congress had requested Penn 'to join mission of Lt-Col. (List of the . . . Offi­ with the colony agents in presenting the cers, 1775, pp. 10, 204) is in the London petition to the King' (ibid.). Penn and Chronicle 5-8 Aug., xxxviii. 134. His Arthur Lee delivered the original to Dart­ letter to Gen. Burgoyne, , 7 mouth on 1 Sept. (Journals of the House June, in the same vein, and Burgoyne's of Lords xxxiv. 499; Daily Adv. 6 Sept., answer of 8 July to 'General Lee' are with text of petition), "which his Lord­ ibid. 10-12, 26-9 Aug., xxxviii. 145, 205. ship promised to deliver to his Majesty' 3. Lee had been appointed by Congress (Peter Force, American Archives, 4th ser. 17 June second Major-General; he ac­ iii [Washington, 1840]. 627). Mann proba­ cepted 19 June (Journals of the Continen­ bly heard that the petition had been 'for­ tal Congress ii. 97-9). warded' to the King (CM Aug. 1775, xiv. 4. In 1753, when Lee fought a duel in 397; a copy was sent to Dartmouth 21 Italy (ante iv. 363-4).