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FRANCIS LIGHTFOOT LEE.

FRANCIS LIGHTFOOT LEE was born on the fourteenth day of October, 1734. He was the fourth son of Thomas Lee, for many years president of the king's council under the colonial government of Virginia, and of Hannah Ludwell, sister of colonel Ludwell, a member of the same council. The offspring of this union are particularly celebrated in the annals of their country, for superior talents and usefulness. Philip Ludwell, the oldest son, was a distinguished member of the king's council, and died at the commencement of our revolutionary struggle: Thomas Ludwell, a finished gentleman, and long an useful member of the Virginia assembly, died about the same period: Richard Henry, is universally known as the dauntless champion of freedom: Francis Lightfoot, whose services are the subject of the present sketch, participated largely in the events of the revolution : William was sheriff and alderman of the city of London, and subsequently commercial agent for congress in Europe, and their commissioner at the courts of Berlin and Vienna: Arthur, the youngest son, as a

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scholar, a writer, a philosopher, a politician, and a diplomatist, was surpassed by none, and equalled by few, of his contemporaries.-The paternal and maternal ancestors of this eminent family, emigrated at an early period to Virginia, and always filled offices of the first respectability in the province.

It was customary, in those days, among gentlemen of fortune, to procure tutors from Great Britain, to superintend the education of their sons at home. These were generally Scotch clergymen, who had received liberal educations, but whose pecuniary wants compelled them to seek fortune and preferment in distant lands. When the youth had attained a competent knowledge of academic studies under their tuition, they were usually sent to England or Scotland, to complete their education, and qualify themselves for professional lives. The elder sons of the family, having finished the usual course of instruction at home prior to the death of their father, were sent to English colleges; but Francis, being too young, at the period of its occurrence, to leave home, never enjoyed that advantage. His classical and literary acquirements were, therefore, entirely derived from his domestic tutor, a Scotch clergyman of the name of Craig, who, being a man of science, not only made him a good scholar, but gave him an early fondness for reading and mental investigation, which, in a mind so apt and vigorous by nature, prepared him for those scenes of usefulness and honour, in which he was afterwards engaged. This partiality for books

was cherished and aided, in a great measure, by the valuable library collected by his father: in which were to be found the best editions of all the great British writers, in every branch of science, poetry, and belles-lettres.

About the period when Mr. Lee arrived at the state of manhood, his brothers returned from England, bringing with them the polish and refinement of European manners, and minds, not only well-informed, but ardent in the pursuit of intellectual improvement. His ambition was fired at the view, and catching a portion of the zeal which animated them, he endeavoured to equal them in their efforts. Such, in fact, was the soundness of his judgment, the quickness of his imagination, and the sprightliness of his wit and humour, that in a short time, his manners became so engaging, his deportment so easy and agreeable, and his information so various, refined, and select, as to make him the admiration and delight of every society in which he chose to mingle. The independent fortune bequeathed to him by his father precluded the necessity of studying a profession; hence, possessing the refined wit and humour of a Sterne, together with a voice of the most melodious sweetness and power, his outset in life was a round of pleasurable enjoyments. His company was eagerly solicited, and the fair sex vied with his own, in shewing the gratification which his presence every where occasioned.

At that time, the situation of the country was such as to afford a free scope for those enjoyments: it is

not then surprising, that they were attractive, not only to young and gay, but even to more settled tempers. No taxes to oppress; no cares of government to perplex; no strong excitements for the operations of ambition; a new and opening country pouring content and independence into the laps of its inhabitants; their repose never shaken by the din of arms, nor the violence of the highway or midnight robber; -joy was in every face, and hospitality at every door. The cupidity of English ministers, had not yet cast its baneful glance towards them: the fondness of the parent was not yet changed into the bitterness of hatred, and the hand that once fostered, was not yet raised to shed their blood. The storm, however, from a speck, soon began to lower in the horizon, and those, whose wisdom foresaw its approach, were anxiously revolving the means of warding off its violence.

Among the first who anticipated the evils which a rapacious and unprincipled administration was preparing for the colonies, Richard Henry Lee, the elder brother of Mr. Lee, stood forth with a firmness and zeal, which gave animation to all around him. It was impossible to listen to his eloquence, depicting, in the strong language of an indignant patriot, the policy that desired, under the pretence of raising a revenue, to sacrifice the most precious rights of a free people at the shrine of despotism, without feeling the glow of genuine patriotism thrilling through the frame. Attached as he was, to ease and pleasure, Mr. Lee heard and felt these warning counsels, not

only as a brother, but as one in whose breast the love of country was also a prevailing passion. The song, the dance, the convivial party, began to lose their charms, and gradually to yield to the sterner duties of the citizen.

Mr. Lee now offered himself as a candidate for the county of Loudon, in the province of Virginia, where his lands were situated, and took his seat as a member of the house of burgesses, about the year 1765. Although not gifted with the powers of oratory, his good sense, extensive reading, and sound and discriminating judgment, made him an useful member of the house. In this situation he continued until the year 1772, when he married Rebecca, the second daughter of colonel John Tayloe, of the county of Richmond; and his term of service, as representative of the county of Loudon, having expired, he was elected a member for the county of Richmond, in which, after his marriage, he had permanently established his residence.

The situation of the colonies became daily more alarming. The idea of making them, in all things, subservient to the views and interests of the mother country, was more strongly urged on one side, and more firmly and vigorously opposed on the other. Already had those bold and determined men, whose names will ever stand enshrined in the admiration and applause of Americans, stood forth as champions of their country's liberties and rights. A spirit of resistance to British oppression began to manifest itself in every quarter, and measures were planned

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