| Citation |
NG.779.001
25 Mar 1779:21,22 (3/112)
Copy of a letter from General Lee to Miss Franks of
Philadelphia, from a Philadelphia Magazine of January 1779.
Madam, When an officer of the respectable rank which I bear,
is grossly traduced and calumniated, it is incumbent on him
to clear up the affair to the world with as little delay as
possible. . . [ 1 1/2 column diatribe about her saying he
wore green breeches patched with leather. Offers to send
his breeches to her for examination. Near bottom of 1st
column:] I dare you, and your whole junto, to your worst,--
-turn them, examine them, inside and outside, and if you
find them to be green breeches patched with leather, and not
actually legitimate = sherryvallies, such as his Majesty of
Poland wears, (who let me tell you, is a man that hath made
more fashions, than all your knights of the meschianza put
together, notwithstanding their beauties) I repeat it,
(thought I am almost out of breath with repetitions and
parenthesis) that if these are proved to be patched green
breeches, and not real legitimate sherryvallies (which a man
of the first bon ton might be proud of) I will submit in
silence to all the scurrility, which I have no doubt you,
and your abettors, are prepared to pour out against me . . .
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