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H. Lee to the Governor August 24, 1807


Having just returned from a circuit to some of the lower counties, I have the pleasure to repeat to your Excellency my growing expectation that the volunteer levy will succeed in my division. The enclosed letter furnishes ground of hope which I trust will be realized. It brings to gust 24, view a subject which I beg leave to submit to your consideration, and upon which I ask your decision. My aids have been, and will be employed to the end, in performance of public duty, at their own expense. I trust Government will reimburse them, and I cannot doubt but that the General Government will make good to the State such reimbursement.
Your Excellency's late orders I found at my lodgings; they will command from me the most prompt attention. Engaged, as I have been, in preparing for war, it was natural for me to meditate on subjects connected with that event, so far as respected my particular State.
Two points are ever in my mind: 1st. How can we best protect the crippled commerce we may enjoy and guard our seaports? 2nd. What shall we do as to our slaves?
I believe our chief seaport, Norfolk, and our only river (York), capable and convenient, may be secured from naval enterprise. If this is done, great good will be done to our country, and high honor will accrue to Government in case of war. Should the blessings of peace be preserved, still public approbation must be bestowed on a preparation so essential, and the expense of the necessary fortifications will be cheer fully submitted to. I have no doubt but that the faithful repair of the Forts Nelson and Norfolk, with additional forts on Craney Island and the point above, and between Norfolk and Portsmouth, with an adequate co-operation of Gun Boats, will place this valuable commercial city safe from the British fleet, which is the only weapon in the hands of our enemy we need apprehend.
Of our many rivers, York river is the only one which can with facility be defended, which is certainly fortunate for the State, as its harbor is capacious and safe, as the same wind which brings a vessel into our capes will take her up to their harbor at York Town. As this river is the intermediate navigation between the rivers Rappahannock and James, to both whose waters merchandise may be conveyed by a short land carriage from York river, and consequently by the aid of these rivers may be wafted to our interior.
Few counties have been so advantageously placed by Providence, and surely it is the duty of Government to extend this bountiful gift, by rendering the only river which can be generally useful, completely so at a period when all our other rivers are, as it were, occluded from use.
The heights of York and the point of Gloucester give excellent positions for co-operating forts at a short distance from the enemy sailing up that river. Above and below the point of Gloucester are two creeks adapted for Gun-boats, with shoals near the upper creek proper for the same sort of vessels, in the midst of which shoals is a small Island, where I hope a fort might be erected, which would not only protect the gun-boats, but effectually annoy a squadron passing the forts below.
I am not an Engineer; I wish I was, as then I could ascertain all the advantages of this position, and would with pleasure undertake so to do.
My opinions are to be regarded only by way of producing the decision of officers of skill and experience in that particular branch of war.
You have it in your power readily to complete these defences. The militia force demanded by your Excellency, will soon be ready to take the field. Call them out; save the expences of tents, if you please, by slight huts easily erected by the Troops; post them at Norfolk, Ports mouth, York Town, and Gloucester point. Let them be trained for battle, and while training, let them be taught the art of erecting fortifications as a knowledge essential to the officer, as often resorted to in field operations when little expected. Your Troops would thus be completely fitted for your object, and at the same time your country bettered where her best interest requires melioration.
With respect to the second point, it is a delicate and difficult subject; nevertheless it must be met, or it will be sure to meet you. Without giving my sentiments at large on this point, I will now only suggest the propriety of enlisting every free male negro capable of bearing arms. They would answer excellently as pioneers and camp colour men, and, indeed, if the number surpassed these demands, it would be judicious to make them distinct military corps, to march them to the eastern frontier, and there use them as garrisons or as part of the operating force. Should Canada be invaded, you derive one signal advantage — you take them from the slaves, whom in case of insurrection they would join. You deprive the slaves of intelligence, of advisers, and of leaders.
You kill the black as well as the white in battle, and thus hold up in a degree the present proportion between the two classes. I might extend my enquiry greatly, but I have gone far enough, as I wish merely to bring the subject to your Excellency's consideration.
I am, &c.

Fort Norfolk Documents

Before 1794, 1794, 1795, 1796, 1797, 1798, 1799, 1800, 1801, 1802, 1803, 1804, 1805, 1806, 1807, 1808, 1809, 1810, 1811, 1812, 1813, 1814, 1815, 1816, 1817, 1861, 1862, 1863, 1864, 1865

Source of Information

CALENDAR of VIRGINIA STATE PAPERS and OTHER MANUSCRIPTS, FROM JANUARY 1, 1799, TO DECEMBER 31, 1807, PRESERVED IN THE CAPITOL AT RICHMOND. ARRANGED AND EDITED, UNDER THE AUTHORITY AND DIRECTION OF Hon. H. W. FLOUENOY, SECRETARY Of THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, AND STATE LIBRARIAN. VOLUME IX. RICHMOND: J. H. O.BANNON, SUPERINTENDENT PUBLIC PRINTING. 1890