22 feb. 1826
My dear Lee,
I know nothing of the circumstances alluded to in the note to which you refer me in the 2d Vol. of your fathers Memoir. Dr. Greene of Charlestown S. C. is perhaps the person best acquainted with the subject, as he was present and necessarily interested in the promise, as one of the Corps. Our friend Judge Johnston’s view of the case, has not escaped you—the spoil according to him was divided between Georgia, S. Carolina & Green’s Regulars.
I am sorry that you cannot be induced to extend your work to the whole of the war. Remember Aristotle’s Rule to begin with the beginning, that of Seneca or rather [letter damaged] mentioned by Seneca, is not more important viz. “to leave off when you have done. Don’t be frightened by the blunders of Ministers & Generals’—they form the most useful part of history. What a fine series of instructions would those of our campaigns furnish? The great difficulty however in this species of writing is to avoid mistakes, one or two errors will ruin the reputation of a book.
With the best wishes for your success, whatever plan you may adopt, I am dear sir, yrs respect & faithfully
J. Armstrong
Source: Mss2 Ar573 a 2, Letter, Virginia Historical Society, Richmond
Transcribed by Colin Woodward, 2016 August 15
