51To Thomas Jefferson from William Lee, 21 July 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
As it is fair to judge of the future by the past I may venture to take it for granted that those whose particular duty it is, will not take the trouble of giving you the following intelligence for which I shall not make any apolegy for doing myself. Since the surrender of C. Town and the subsequent advices from G. Clinton from So. Carol: as late as the 5. of June last, the Br. Ministry do not...
52To Thomas Jefferson from William Lee, 15 August 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Paris, 15 Aug. 1780 . Has repeatedly advised TJ of orders sent British officers in America to carry campaign into North Carolina and Virginia during coming months. If French squadron winters in Chesapeake Bay this will be prevented. In 1778 Lee was appointed by Gov. Henry commercial agent for Virginia in France. His mission for Congress in Germany prevented his serving Virginia effectively,...
53To John Adams from William Lee, 20 August 1780 (Adams Papers)
Mr. Jenings having gone out of Town, has left in my care a packet for you that came to him last Monday by the Post; by the marks on it, I fancy it has come from Antwerp. You will please to direct, whether it shall be forwarded to you in Holland or kept here ’till your return. We have not any certain advices of Monsr. Ternay, but it appears that orders are already sent out to prosecute the War...
54From John Adams to William Lee, 23 August 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have just now received yours of 20. Please to Send the Packet along here to me, chez Mr. Henry Schorn Amsterdam by the first Post. There are opportunities enough here by which I shall put Ama. on her guard against the plan, you mention. The Plan of dividing, which they have been constantly pursuing these 15 years, has Succeeded most admirably. It has succeeded So far as to divide all mankind...
55To John Adams from William Lee, 27 August 1780 (Adams Papers)
As you desire in yours of the 23. I now send you the Packet and least the English mail should be detain’d by the wind from you as it has been here I send you the contents of a letter from Mr. Stephens Secratary of the Admiralty to LLoyds Coffee House for the information of the Merchants—which is dated the 22 instant. Mr. Stephens says he has received a letter dated Augt. 9. from the Capt. of...
56To John Adams from William Lee, 10 September 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of the 2d. and thank you for the American Intelligence; indeed in all quarters the prospect seems favorable to our cause. The dissolution of Parliament being decided on immediately after the intelligence of the capture of their E. and W. India Fleet, (which you find are all safe in Cadiz harbor), of Kniphausens defeat in the Jersies, of Ternay’s safe arrival at Rhode...
57To John Adams from William Lee, 5 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
I was very happy to find by your favor of the 21st. Ultimo that Mr. S. Adams still continues in the Public service and I am the more pleased at this choosing to serve in Congress rather than in any service in his particular State, for I think there is not any man that can doubt of America having very greatly suffer’d, if the continuance of the War is a sufferance by some of the States having...
58To John Adams from William Lee, 15 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
A severe attack of a dangerous dysentery, a sick Family ever since Mr. Searle left us, and above all, having nothing material to communicate, have prevented me from writing to you for some time past and indeed my principal object now, is to enquire after the health of yourself and your Sons, as it will give me sensible pleasure to hear that you have escaped the contagion of the late very...
59To John Adams from William Lee, 29 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
I am honor’d with your favor of the 19th. and am happy to hear that you and your Sons have escaped the general contagion of the Season. I flatter myself with the Idea that Arnolds Apostacy will not be attended with any inconvenience to America, but I cannot help regretting that a Man who has render’d essential service to his Country and laid a solid foundation for permanent and substantial...
60To John Adams from William Lee, 17 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor of your favor of the 6th. instant and perfectly agree with you that Congress must assume a more decided authority to prevent a repetition of such infamy as Arnold s . In our situation, I look upon a Congress without full authority and respect to its determinations, as a body without a Soul—it is the knot which tyes the union between the States; which if once dissolv’d, may be...
61To John Adams from William Lee, 27 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
Your favor of the 20th came to hand last Post. I have been confidently assured that the British Ministers, at least the greater part of them, are greatly anxious for a Peace, as they find the difficulties of carrying on the War, almost insurmountable, but the obstinacy of the King prevails and will do so, until some heavy blow frightens him and enables the Ministers to bring forward...
62To John Adams from William Lee, 17 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
I had the Honor of receiving your favor of the 1st. instant by Mr. Searle, who arriv’d here two daies ago and intends to pursue his Journey tomorrow. You will receive by this post from our friend here a full account of the Amn. News such as we have it here by the two vessels arriv’d at L’Orient from Phila., and at Bourdx. from Maryland, tho’ you must have more authentic intelligence in your...
63To John Adams from William Lee, 28 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of the 20th. instant which disappointed me a good deal, for I had received much pleasure from being told by Mr. Searle that you were fully vested with the same powers that Mr. Laurens had, which occasion’d my writing what I did in my last. I must confess that I can’t be perfectly easy, however favorable things may appear, while the War continues and the Independence...
64To John Adams from William Lee, 31 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
I had the Honor of writing to you the 28th. but omitted answering your Quere about the Southern States determining to embody Ne groes as an Army. I never heard of such an Idea but in the letter forged, as from Genl. Clinton, nor do I immagine such a one will ever be entertain’d seriously in those States, for exclusive of many reasons against it that appear unanswerable, those who know the...
65To John Adams from William Lee, 8 February 1781 (Adams Papers)
The Bearer of this, Mr. Brailsford a native of South Carolina, is now on his way to America with the laudable design of serving his Country in the Feild, and being desirous of the Honor of your acquaintance I have taken the Liberty of introducing him to your Civilities, as I am sure you will take pleasure in incouraging such praiseworthy motives as carry Mr. Brailsford to America. Since my...
66To Benjamin Franklin from William Lee, 8 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Virginia Historical Society I am advised that Robt. Morris Esqr. The Superintendant General of Finance for Congress, has directed you to pay me, what is due to me from Congress out of the first money that came into your hands. I am now to request that you will please to inform me whether you have, or have not recd. such directions from...
67To Benjamin Franklin from William Lee, 7 October 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania; copies: Virginia Historical Society (three), University of Virginia Library I have the Honor to send you herewith, Copy of a Letter from Mr. Robt. R. Livingston Secretary of Congress for Foreign Affairs—of the 18th. of July last, & of an order of Congress of the 2d. of the same Month, to which be pleased to refer. As you inform’d me in you Letter of...
68To Benjamin Franklin from William Lee, 12 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library; two copies: Virginia Historical Society I have had the Honour of receiving your Letter of the 20th. of last Month, informing me that you had accepted my several bills amounting to Forty six thousand one hundred & ninety six Livres Nineteen Sols payle. the 12th. of April next, and you add: “ I confide that you will not hazard the credit of Congress, by...
69To John Adams from William Lee, 18 February 1783 (Adams Papers)
I am advised from very good authority that the Emperor is desirous of entering into a Treaty of Commerce with the United States of Am a. , on terms of equality & mutual advantage, therefore shall be much obliged to you for informing me if there is any person in Europe authoriz’d by Congress to enter into such a Treaty with his Imperial Majesty. Altho’ I have no doubt of your being well...
70To John Adams from William Lee, 9 March 1783 (Adams Papers)
Having been lately on a Journey I cou’d not sooner thank you for your obliging favor of the 23 d. Ulto, which I found here on my return home. In consequence of What you tell me, I shall refer the Emperors Agents to M r. Dana, at the same time I perfectly coincide with your opinion that we ought not to be in a hurry, now we have Peace, to enter into Com l. Treaties. I see no reason for changing...
71To John Adams from William Lee, 27 March 1783 (Adams Papers)
Your obliging favor of the 15 th. inst t. did not come to my hands ’till the 8 th day after its date, but it did not appear to have been open’d, tho’ the direction was in a handwriting that I am not acquainted with. I can readily, from my own experience, subscribe to the Truth of every thing you have said in your Letter, & to prevent D r. Franklin from repeating the same unwarrantable practice...
72To John Adams from William Lee, 24 April 1783 (Adams Papers)
Above ten Daies after its date I was honor’d with your favor of the 10 th. instant, & am indeed apprehensive with you, that America has lost the favorable moment for establish g a desirable commercial connection with Great Britain; but this is not the only, nor the greatest, mischief that has flow’d upon us from the same Source. you will by this time be able to judge of the dispositions of the...
73To George Washington from William Lee, 11 April 1787 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honour of receiveing your very obligeing favor of last month, informing me of the very unlucky accident that befell the Jenny; which I regret exceedingly, not on my own Account, but because it May be a small disappointment to your wishes which I shall ever think myself happy if I can in any manner be the means of promoting. I feel very sensibly your goodness in offering to...
74To John Adams from Jared S. Russell, 30 June 1798 (Adams Papers)
At this alarming crisis, when our social and political compacts are threatened with dissolution, while surrounded by men inimical to our government, who are striving to blast even the buds of patriotism, permit a part of the young men of New-ark to express their confidence and firm reliance in the wisdom, virtue, and patriotism of our chief magistrate, which is daily enhanced by the...
75To Thomas Jefferson from William Lee, [before 9] March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Encouraged by a most respectable circle of friends I am induced to address the President of the United States on a subject highly interesting to myself and family.—But even with the flattering support which, I have the honor to enclose, I cannot hazard my present application to the supreme magistrate of the american people, without refering him to other partial testimonies in my favor, which,...
76To James Madison from William Lee, 3 October 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
3 October 1801, Bordeaux. Recent accounts leave no doubt that peace between France and Great Britain either is already concluded or will be soon. Encloses copies of two letters from a Paris banking house to friends of Lee’s in Bordeaux and quotes from two other letters he has received from Paris—the first, dated 24 Sept., mentioning that negotiations are “going on with great activity” and the...
77To James Madison from William Lee, 3 October 1801 (Madison Papers)
From all the Accounts which have been received here, these two days past, there is no doubt but that peace between this country and England, either is a lready or will be shortly concluded on. The enclosed copies of two letters from a respectable and influential banking house in Paris to my friends in this City will serve to shew what con fidence they place in this news. In addition I give you...
78To James Madison from William Lee, 30 November 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
30 November 1801, Bordeaux. Encloses an extract from the consular registry relating to Barnet. Believes Barnet should have been content with soliciting support from his countrymen, “for the manner in which those from the constituted authorities here were procured, is not very honourable to him, or favorable to me nor can those testimonies be pleasing to the President.” RC and enclosure ( DNA :...
79To James Madison from William Lee, 30 November 1801 (Madison Papers)
I take the liberty to enclose you an extract from the Register Book of this Consulate. It relates altogether to Mr. Barnet, but I thought it my duty to send it to you, and permit me to say, that had Mr. Barnet been contented with the Certificate from his countrymen, it would have been as well, for the manner in which those from the constituted authorities here were procured, is not very...
80To James Madison from William Lee, 20 January 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 January 1802, Bordeaux. Encloses list of vessels in port from 26 Oct., when he took charge of the agency, to 31 Dec.; list is imperfect, as “unaccomodating” ship captains will not cooperate with consuls unless required to do so by law. Is “much harrassed with the complaints and sufferings” of American seamen; twenty are in the hospital and “at least one hundred and fifty strolling about the...