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Preferred Citation

John Marshall Letters, Special Collections Research Center, William & Mary Libraries.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated, 2017.

Scope and Contents

Consists of two letters written by John Marshall. Letter, 1833 August 11, replies to Major Henry Lee's criticisms of the two-volume condensed edition of Marshall's Life of Washington published in 1832. Battle of Bunker Hill occurred before George Washington took command. Regrets that Champe's affair was omitted. The statement of Henry Lee (1756-1818) refutes the malignant remark of Thomas Jefferson. Did not have letter of George Washington to Henry Lee, Sr. Changed the account of Hobkirk's Hill (South Carolina) because of the letter of General Davie and there is no direct contradiction between Davie's letter and the account given by Henry Lee (1756-1818). Did not look at Lee's review of Johnson's Life of Green. Gives his reason for not mentioning Washington's opinion on the author of the Newburg letters. Letter of Jefferson to Elbridge Gerry regarding the appointment of Marshall, Gerry and Charles Cotesworth Pinckney as envoys to France and which of the three would favor peaceful measures with France. Surprised at Jefferson's subsequent correspondence. Does not understand Lee's reference to a letter from Jefferson to James Madison of the 1794 December 28 concerning John Jay (now known to have actually concerned George Joy). Transmits list of errata for second volume. In letter to John H. Lawrence of New York, 1834 February 21, believes the documents Lawrence has sent show that Woodhull and the militia near Jamaica, New York were there to intercept supplies and that Marshall was mistaken in writing in the biography of Washington that they were there to aid operations from Brooklyn and that Washington should not have counted on them to guard the road from Jamaica. Does not believe that he made an "allusion to the numbers of the militia under his command, nor to any jealousy of the military officer commanding at Brooklyn, nor is it hinted that the convention had placed him under that officer."

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Davie, William Richardson, 1756-1820
• Gerry, Elbridge, 1744-1814
• Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826
• Lawrence, John L.
• Lee, Henry, 1756-1818
• Lee, Henry, 1787-1837
• Madison, James, 1751-1836
• Pinckney, Charles Cotesworth, 1746-1825
• Washington, George, 1732-1799
• Woodhull, Nathaniel, 1722-1776