#character of

[lizstiel]

I’m actually so sad about buttons

[oceandiagonale]

doodle of lux bc it’s oc sthursday 🥺

[revolutionary-pirate]

Charles Lee is usually super critical of everyone, but he liked his former aide-de-camp, William Palfrey and actually befriended him and thought pretty highly of him. Lee wrote to Washington on May 10th and, in his closing paragraph, he said to tell Palfrey that he was a scoundrel for not writing him. He wrote Palfrey on July 3rd, 1776 a fantastic letter that gives some insight into life on Charles Lee’s Staff and also Palfrey’s character: 

“The old oberservation that [money] spoileth the [wit] is not exemplify’d in you--on the contray, you never [were] in your life so brilliant as since you were Master of twice fifty Dollars pr month--God inspire the Congress with the whim of increasing your store, that you may become still a more entertaining Correspondent - if it was not for this consideration I cou’d wish you with us. We often long to laugh with the gallant Palfrey--but you wou’d only afford us half the amusement that not only the quantity of good things which came out of your mouth but the quantity of good things which went into your mouth furnish’d us with matter of wonder and pleasure--but, alas, were you with us you would be totally eclips’d in one of these branches--We have a little Secretary that cou’d eat up you and your whole Family. We have a considerable wager now depending, Spada is to fast thirty six hours and the Secretary twelve. They then to start together on a course of roast Beef. I have laid on Spada, but the majority of those who are aquainted with the abilities of the two gentlemen, are clear that I shall lose. . . . Adieu. Write to me often. . . .” [x]

It was interesting to get a glimpse of this softer, light-hearted side of Charles Lee. Palfrey must have been one helluva funny dude, though. ........ I wonder who won the eating contest. I’m really curious now.