1From John Adams to William Lee, 10 April 1783 (Adams Papers)
I know not to what extravagances Adulation may extend in regard to D r: Franklin—nor do I much care, now the Independence of our Country, her Tom-Cod & Buckskins are so well secured. I expect soon to see a proposition to name the 18 th. Century, the Franklinian Age, le Siecle Franklinnien, & am willing to leave the Question, whether it shall have this epithet or that of Fredericien, to the D...
2From John Adams to William Lee, 15 March 1783 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the 9 th. is just put into my hands. In answ r: to your question, respecting the particular desire of the K. of Sweden to make a Treaty with D r. Franklin, I can give you no other satisfaction than by sending you the words of the D r’s: letter to Congress, as sent me by your Brother, viz t. “The Ambassador, fm. Sweden to this Court, applied to me lately, to know if I had Powers that w...
3From John Adams to William Lee, 23 February 1783 (Adams Papers)
I have this moment the Honour of your Favour of the 18 and thank you for the Information it contains. M r Dana who is now at Petersbourg, has a Commission which Authorises him to treat with the Emperor, as well as with all the other Powers, who compose the Armed Neutrality.— I will write him an Extract of your Letter, and I Suppose he will enter into immediate Negotiation upon it, if he has...
4From John Adams to William Lee, 6 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the 29th. Ultimo is before me. Arnold’s Apostacy shews the Necessity of nipping Dishonesty in the Bud. Congress must assume a more decided Authority, and must punish Crimes, and in other Ways do Justice to the Public. If Arnold had been sued at Common Law for the Money or Goods of the Public that he had defrauded the Public of, he would never have had another Command. Juries are the...
5From John Adams to William Lee, 19 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
I am honoured with yours of the 15 and congratulate you on your Recovery, and that of your Family, mine have all luckily escaped hitherto. The Relaxation of Mr. L.s Confinement is owing intirely to the Ministry getting Information that the opposition intended to make a Motion about him. This would have made so much Noise and excited so many Speculations, that they had reason to dread it. Ten...
6From John Adams to William Lee, 7 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
The Bearer of this is a young Virginian, Mr. Bowdoin, who has been sometime here and has a good Character. I beg Leave to recommend him to your Attention. I am in hourly Expectation of hearing of Mr. Laurens, but not without Anxiety for his Safety, as he comes only in a Packet. The Accounts from our Country, by Way of Spain, France, England and directly to Amsterdam, are very flattering. But...
7From John Adams to William Lee, 21 September 1780 (Adams Papers)
Your favour of the 10th. is just come to Hand yet unanswered. I am fully of your opinion, that the British Cabinet are determined on a Prosecution of the War. It is not So much the Demands of America perhaps, as those of France and Spain which decide them. The English are not yet enough humbled to give up Gibraltar and the Floridas to Spain; and Liberty to Dunkirk and a more ample Extension to...
8From John Adams to William Lee, 2 September 1780 (Adams Papers)
I am much obliged to you, for your care of my Packet which I recieved with your favour of 27 of August, containing the News of the Confirmation of it, So far as an Extract from two London Gazettes could confirm it, but it is Still with much difficulty credited here. There is no Letter nor Newspaper in this City from London, Since the 18 of August, which is to me inexplicable. I should have...
9From John Adams to William Lee, 20 July 1780 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the 8th I received in due Course of Post. The Letter from Clinton, arrived first at L’orient, in a Phyladelphia Newspaper, which had been sent to Mr. Jay. Mr. Wharton I think copied it and sent it to Dr. Franklin, who communicated it. Soon after it appeared in Boston and other Newspapers without a hint of its Want of Authenticity. Within a few days past, I have seen a Gentleman from...
10From John Adams to William Lee, 6 June 1780 (Adams Papers)
I had duely your Favours of 10 May, and another Since Rodneys Account of the Action of the 17 April. But have not been able to answer before. The Language which is held by the English both in and out of Parliament, is quite incomprehensible by me. Do they really believe what they say? Do they believe that America, will return to them? Well! next Winter, which approaches fast, there must be 22...