Benjamin Franklin Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Franklin/01-32-02-0354

To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 9 June 1780

From Arthur Lee

ALS: Historical Society of Pennsylvania; AL (draft): National Archives

L’Orient June 9th. 1780.

Sir,

I have now waited here three months for the Alliance, & see no probability of her sailing. The discontent of the Crew has increasd to such a degree, as in my judgment to threaten the most ruinous consequences, if their demands are not satisfyd.3

I feel it as a duty to the Public to give you this information; & have the honor to be, with respect, Sir, Yr. most obedient humble servant

Arthur Lee

The Honble. Dr. Franklin. Minister plenipotentiary

Notation: June 9. 1780 A Lee to B Franklin had waited at L’orient 3 months for the sailing of the Alliance. Discontent of the Crew

[Note numbering follows the Franklin Papers source.]

3The crew’s main demand was for Landais to resume command. On June 12, in response to Landais’s request for advice, Lee gave him his opinion that an officer entrusted with command of a ship was bound to keep, guard, and defend that ship until he saw a congressional resolve giving command to another. Thus, Landais should keep command of the Alliance until formally relieved: National Archives; Landais, Memorial, pp. 99–100.

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