Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to research.

Use Restrictions

See the University of Virginia Library’s use policy.

Preferred Citation

Lee Family Papers, Accession 38-112-c, Special Collections Department, University of Virginia Library

Acquisition Information

This letter was purchased by the Library on November 20, 1991.

Funding Note

Funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities

Scope and Content

Charles Lee , Alexandria , writes this one page letter, May 2, 1813, to William Broadfoot of Charleston, South Carolina , giving legal advice concerning compensation for the seizure of a ship used as a slave trader. Lee states in part, "Again let me repeat that should ever another trial take place it will be material to shew the state of the ship at the period of the seizure, whether she had been fitted out at that time or was only fitting out. If she was only fitting out then and was deficent in any of the essentials for the slave trade at the time of seizure then the offence was not consummated, and if she was restored to a state of active innocence thereafter, and so sailed to Havanna[sic.] or Cuba , your defence will be good on the merits."