Richard Henry Lee A.L.S. Nassau - New Providence, April 19th 1787 : to "my dear Carter"
1787
MSS L2015F46.1
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Title
Richard Henry Lee A.L.S. Nassau - New Providence, April 19th 1787 : to "my dear Carter"
Published
Nassau, [Bahamas] 1787
Description
[6] p. ; 25 cm.
Call Number
MSS L2015F46.1
Note
Philosophical letter written by Lee, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, to a young relative offering advice.
"I find your mind is charmed with eloquence & infer that the bar is the theatre selected for its display. The rank of man as established by the concurring judgment of ages stands thus -- Heros, Legislators, orators, & poets. The most useful & in my opinion the most honorable is "Legislator" which is far from being incompatible with the profession of law is congenial to it. Generally, mankind most admire the Hero, of all the most useless only when the safety of a nation demands his saving arm"; discusses the classical military heroes Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, and Hannibal (whom he considers "the first soldier of the three"); concludes that "it may therefore be considered as a truth demonstrated by the history of man that continued & arduous excitement of the mind especially in regaining lost or in defending menaced rights places man in that train of mind & body, which brings forth the greatest display of genius, particularly after the storm has subsided, & the mind reposing with security in the sweets of tranquility, meditates without fear." Transcript in the case file.
"I find your mind is charmed with eloquence & infer that the bar is the theatre selected for its display. The rank of man as established by the concurring judgment of ages stands thus -- Heros, Legislators, orators, & poets. The most useful & in my opinion the most honorable is "Legislator" which is far from being incompatible with the profession of law is congenial to it. Generally, mankind most admire the Hero, of all the most useless only when the safety of a nation demands his saving arm"; discusses the classical military heroes Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, and Hannibal (whom he considers "the first soldier of the three"); concludes that "it may therefore be considered as a truth demonstrated by the history of man that continued & arduous excitement of the mind especially in regaining lost or in defending menaced rights places man in that train of mind & body, which brings forth the greatest display of genius, particularly after the storm has subsided, & the mind reposing with security in the sweets of tranquility, meditates without fear." Transcript in the case file.
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