In 1768 he proposed the ides of committees of correspondence among the colonies, and in 1744 he suggested that the colonies meet in what became the Continental Congress. He was a wealthy Virginia planter. He denounced the practice of slavery. In 1764 Lee was a member of the committee of the House of Burgesses. He introduced his resolution in June 1776. Congress appointed him to the committee responsible for drafting a Declaration of Independence. He missed the chance to draft the document because of his wife’s illness, but was able to return to sign it. He was elected President- from November 30, 1784 to November 22, 1785. He was the great uncle of Robert E. Lee.