To Benjamin Franklin from William Lee, 26 February 1778
From William Lee
AL: American Philosophical Society; copy: Virginia Historical Society
Chaillot Thursday Morning 26 Feb. 78.
Mr. Lee presents his respectful Compliments to Dr. Franklin and informs him that Mr. Deane is engaged this day and cannot come, but can attend tomorrow or next day. Mr. L. therefore wishs to know what day and hour will be most agreeable to Dr. Franklin that he may fix with Mr. Deane and if it is inconvenient to come here, Mr. L. will have the trunk moved to Passy.8
Addressed: Honourable / Benjamin Franklin Esqr. / Passi
Notation: W Lee to BF. 26. Feb. 78
8. The meeting was arranged for the next day at Chaillot, when the unopened trunk was produced, and a certification from two witnesses in Nantes that it had been sealed there in their presence. The intention had been to open it before the commissioners to France, William Lee, and Izard, and to sort the public from the private papers. But Deane was absent, and the trunk, still sealed, was left with William Lee. From a copy of Izard’s certification, March 3, 1778, enclosed in William to Arthur Lee, May 17, 1780: Lee Family Papers, roll 6, frames 655–6.