"HIS ATTACHMENT TO THE PRINCIPLES OF LIBERTY, WITHOUT REGARD TO PLACE, MADE HIM THE CITIZEN OF THE WORLD RATHER THAN OF ANY COUNTRY"

LEE, Charles. Memoirs of the Life of the Late Charles Lee, Esq… Second in Command in the Service of the United States of America during the Revolution. To which are added, His Political and Military Essays; Also, Letters to and from many Distinguished Characters, both in Europe and America. New York: T. Allen, 1792. Octavo, period-style full brown sheep, red morocco spine label. $650.

First American edition of the life of controversial Revolutionary War general and nemesis of George Washington, Charles Lee.

One of the most colorful and controversial figures from Revolutionary America, Charles Lee (1731-82) served with distinction as a British officer during the French and Indian War. After a somewhat mercenary existence in the 1760s and 70s (including time in Poland and Turkey), Lee acquired land in Virginia and quickly became zealously committed to the patriot's cause. Appointed second major-general of the Continental Army, he had achieved notable victories and developed a distaste for Washington before he was captured by the British in 1776. Returned to the Continental Army as part of an exchange in 1778, Lee disobeyed orders at Monmouth by retreating in the face of little British opposition and was subsequently court-martialed after he demanded an apology from Washington for Washington's harsh words at Monmouth (DAB).

"A former British Army officer, Charles Lee retired from that service shortly before he joined the American rebellion. At certain points he is believed to have sought to supplant George Washington and take command of the Continental Army. Lee and Washington came into direct confrontation during the Battle of Monmouth on June 28, 1778. Lee's conduct during the battle and the subsequent exchange with Washington eventually led to his permanent dismissal from the Continental Army" (The Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington at Mount Vernon). After leaving the Continental Army, Lee's his influence waned, and he died in 1782 of a fever in Philadelphia. First published earlier that same year in London. This work includes Langworthy's biographical memoir of Lee and Lee's military and political correspondence with Washington and other important figures. It has long been rumored that this work was edited by Thomas Paine under the direction of Langworthy, as noted by Howes. Paine was living in England for a number of years prior to its publication, and had long been a fan of General Lee, who was an admirer of Common Sense. Evans 24456. Howes L83. Sabin 38903. Early owner signature on title page.

Mild foxing to text with a few small stains; very handsomely bound.