1To Thomas Jefferson from William Lee, 24 September 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
His Excellency Governor Henry was pleased in 1777, with the advice of the Council, to appoint me Agent in France for the State of Virginia and in 1778 by the same authority he sent me a power under the State Seal to obtain Arms, Artillery, Ammunition &c. of his Most Christian Majestys Ministers or any other persons to the amount of 2,000,000 of Livres, or to borrow money to that amount to...
2To 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...
3To 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,...
4To 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,...
5To Thomas Jefferson from William Lee, 10 August 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty to enclose the Moniteur of the 6th inst containing the new Organization and have the honour to remain with much respect your humble servant RC ( DLC ); endorsed by TJ as received 5 Oct. and so recorded in SJL . Enclosure: Gazette Nationale ou le Moniteur Universel , 18 Thermidor Year 10 (6 Aug. 1802), containing the text of the sénatus-consulte organique of 16 Thermidor (see...
6To Thomas Jefferson from William Lee, 25 May 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honour to enclose for the perusal of the President of the United States an interesting paper just published in this City— RC ( DLC ); endorsed by TJ as received 1 Aug. and so recorded in SJL . Enclosure not found, but see below. The paper has not been identified, but may have related to recruitment of sailors to serve on privateers. Lee was soon faced with that problem as numbers of...
7To Thomas Jefferson from William Lee, 8 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The feeble state of my health will but just permit me to acknowledge the rect. of the letter you did me the honor to write me under date of the 14 June enclosing a bill on V Dupont de Nemours & Co. Being at this moment on my departure for the waters of the Pyrenees to avoid the distressing heat of this month I have taken the liberty to hand your order to my worthy and respectable partner Mr....
8To Thomas Jefferson from William Lee, 30 December 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty to send you three boxes containing fruits in Brandy prunes and almonds—They go in the good Intent Capt Wallington for Philadelphia addressed to the Collecter of that port and I hope will arrive safe.—I had the honor of forwarding you ⅌ the ship Genl. Washington which sailed yesterday for Boston a small bundle containing a few books directed to my care by Mr Volney— with...
9To Thomas Jefferson from William Lee, 3 March 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honour to enclose a letter which I should have forwarded some time since had not an embargo which has existed for some weeks prevented—The bundle of books which Mr V— intended should accompany his letter I have put on board the Bordeaux Packet bound to Philadelphia and have requested the Collector of the Port to forward them to the seat of Government.— With great respect I have the...
10To Thomas Jefferson from William Lee, 26 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honour to forward to the President of the United States the Moniteur of the 19 & 20th of May containing the Organization of the Imperial Government of France . RC ( DLC ); addressed: “The President of the United States of America”; endorsed by TJ as received 2 Aug. and so recorded in SJL . Enclosures: Gazette Nationale ou le Moniteur Universel , 19 and 20 May. Lee’s note with its...
11To Thomas Jefferson from William Lee, 12 September 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Having good reason to believe that the Wine which Mr Perrot sent you during my illness though very good was not of the growth you demanded & thinking it possible you may have exhausted that stock, I have taken the liberty to send you pr. the Ship Fabius Capt. Hughes of Alexandria bound to New York, three dozen of Chateaux Margaux, Six dozen of Rozan, and six dozen of Sauterne all of the growth...
12To Thomas Jefferson from William Lee, 10 October 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty to enclose you the declarations of two Gentlemen of veracity, which I hope will tend to expose a part of that system of intrigue which, has been carried on against me from the first moment you honoured me with the appointment to this Consulate. The object of these machinations is I understand, to effect a change in this office, in favor of a Mr Cook, or a Mr Morton , who are...
13To Thomas Jefferson from William Lee, 18 December 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Having learnt from Mr Monroe, that you had formerly interested yourself in the education of Mr W. G. Montfort whose misconduct, had forced you to abandon him, and those pleasing expectations which his promising talents, led you to foster, I have thought it my duty Sir, to enclose you three letters which I found among his papers, and to mention that this young man, died here the day before...
14To Thomas Jefferson from William Lee, 17 May 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
When the reputation of an officer of the United States is unjustly attacked, it is a duty he owes the Government and himself to vindicate his character. How far I have succeeded in this particular the annexed correspondence will shew. I beg leave Sir with great deference to lay it before you reposing the utmost confidence in that justice which so eminently distinguishes your administration.—...
15To Thomas Jefferson from William Lee, 23 September 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
The article under the Prussian head in the enclosed Argus will be found to merit the attention of the President. It is translated from the Moniteur and is no doubt intended as an answer to the note of the Russian Embassador Monsr. Novoritzoff to the Prussian Secretary of State which has of late appeared in some of the German prints.— With great respect DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
16To Thomas Jefferson from William Lee, 22 October 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received this day from the Estate of Madam Rochefoucauld at Cahuzac in this department a hogshead of white wine, which I am directed to forward to you. I have also within a few days recd. information of some Hermitage wine that is on its way here for the same purpose, and I shall take care to forward both parcels by the first good vessel. With the highest veneration I have the honor to...
17To Thomas Jefferson from William Lee, 26 November 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honor to inform you under date of the twenty seventh of last month, that I had received for you from the overseer, of the Estate of Madam Larochfoucauld at Cahuzac, a hogshead of white wine. since than I have also received by the order of Mr Cathalan from Messrs. Jourdan & Sons of Tain, two Cases containing it is said one hundred bottles of white Hermitage wine. As this is not a...
18To Thomas Jefferson from William Lee, 23 December 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
The return of Captain Davis from the mouth of the River just gives me time to enclose the President of the United S. a file of the Argus containing the acct of the late decisive battle between the French & Russian armies & the relation of the interview between the Emperor Napoleon & Francis.— With great respect I have the honor to remain the Presidents most humble St. MHi : Coolidge Collection.
19To Thomas Jefferson from William Lee, 14 February 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Wm Lee presents his respects to the President of the United States and begs he will do him the honor to accept the four medals accompanying this [Note in TJ’s hand:] Sep. 12. 1804. wines &c—778.50₶=146. D Oct. 22. Nov. 26. 05. vin de Cahusac. sec. < hermitage >
20To Thomas Jefferson from William Lee, 1 March 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I have shipped for you, on board the Brig Hope Capt Fisher, bound to Alexandria, two Cases of Hermitage Wine, sent to me from Tain by order of Mr Cathalan, and one barrel of white wine, from the Estate of Madam La Rochefoucauld, at Cahuzac in the department of the Dordogne. These wines reached me so late in the fall that I thought it prudent to keep them in my cellar until this time rather...
21To Thomas Jefferson from William Lee, 26 March 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Wm Lee presents his respects to the President of the United States & begs he will do him the honor to accept of the small work accompanying this.— MHi : Coolidge Collection.
22To Thomas Jefferson from William Lee, 21 August 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The letter you did me the honor to write me under date of the 20th of April I received but a few days since, and meeting with a good opportunity to place the draft you desire me to pass on you, I have this day drawn it in favor of Mr. Penn Townsend, at thirty days sight for the sum of 1157 fs. say eleven hundred and fifty seven francs.—At foot is the note of the Wine and charges, Mde. Chabot...
23To Thomas Jefferson from William Lee, 1 October 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I find an error in the amt. I had the honor to transmit you on the 21 Augt. of 42 francs in your favor having overcharged that much on the charges of recg. paying duties &c. on the two Casks of Cahuzack wine. I will take the liberty of sending the amount in some small article which I think may be acceptable. With great respect I have the honor to remain Your Obt Servt. MHi : Coolidge Collection.
24To Thomas Jefferson from William Lee, 1 October 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I have shipped on board the Brig Betsey Captain Walters bound to Baltimore to the address of Mr Purviance a Cask of Cahuzack wines, which I have taken the liberty to request he would forward on to you.— With great respect I have the honor to remain Your Obt. Sr. MHi : Coolidge Collection.
25To Thomas Jefferson from William Lee, 10 April 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Wm Lee presents his respects to the President of the United States & takes the liberty to send him an Imperial Almanac MHi : Coolidge Collection.
26To Thomas Jefferson from William Lee, 5 May 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
W. Lee has the honor to present his respects to the President of the United States and takes the liberty to send him a specimen of French Typography. MHi : Coolidge Collection.
27To Thomas Jefferson from William Lee, 25 June 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The box of Seeds for Madame de Tessé I have recd. and have written her as you directed me in your favor of the 21 Feby. The instructions she may send me respecting it shall be carefully followed.—We have a great dearth of news, and no intelligence from the armies—Letters from Paris say, that Preliminaries of Peace have been signed with Prussia but this information is not generally credited.—...
28To Thomas Jefferson from William Lee, 14 September 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The letter you did me the honor to write me under date of the 25th June reached me but a few days since. I have written to Mr. Callier Regisseur of Mde. de la Rochefaucaults Estate for the wine you desire. If he cannot conveniently put it in bottles I will have it bottled here.— I have written several times to Madame de Tessé of Aunai respecting the box of seeds &c. you sent her and which now...
29William Lee to Thomas Jefferson, 8 August 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
I must beg leave to apologize to you for the state of the packet accompanying this— The boat in which I sent my baggage from S t Jean de Luz to the Ship Ann was upset in crossing the Bar of the harbour and my trunks were found full of water— with great care I preserved Gen l Armstrongs dispatches and this letter for you which happened luckily to be wrapped up in very thick paper.— RC ( DLC );...
30William Lee to Thomas Jefferson, 20 December 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty to send you a copy of a work which I have published here with a view to enlighten the people of France on the motives of our War and to help our good cause. I beg you will read it with indulgence particularly that part relating to the Bourbons which the authorities here insisted on my inserting before they would permit me to print it. It is very imperfect for want of...
31William Lee to Thomas Jefferson, 11 May 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
I beg leave to inclose you a letter from Mr. Gard , professor at the Deaf and Dumb College in this city . He is considered in this country as a phenomenon for though deaf and dumb he is familiar with every branch of Science and literature—he wrote the inclosed himself, and brought it to me to correct but I thought it best to make no alteration in it. There is no one Sir who can appreciate his...
32William Lee to Thomas Jefferson, 25 October 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
The letter you did me the favor to write me under date of the 24th of August after having travelled from Boston to Philadelphia and then back to Boston found me here a few days since which will account for my not having acknowledged the receipt of it before this. I have not forgotten Sir the great obligations I am under to you and that I have lived so much in your memory as to have merited...
33William Lee to Thomas Jefferson, 16 June 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
The little Swiss colony of Stocking weavers to which the letter you honored me with refers is composed of three heads of families their children and four workmen with twenty four choice Looms many of which are after the English model with the newest french improvements. I am half concerned in this factory the whole of which has cost me in the purchase of the Looms and the passage & sustenance...
34William Lee to Thomas Jefferson, 6 July 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 25th of last month was duly rec d and I should have replied to it before now but that a slight indisposition arising from the pain of a neglected dislocation prevented it— I have conversed with my principal Swiss who thinks that the young man you mention ought to pay his own board as he comes simply to learn the trade for his own benefit—our apprentices after the first year...
35William Lee to Thomas Jefferson, 14 October 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
Permit me to recommend to Your kind civilities the bearer of this the Rev d C. Lowell of Boston a particular friend of mine of many years standing I shall be grateful for your goodness towards him RC ( DLC ); at foot of text: “ M r Jefferson ”; endorsed by TJ as received 27 Oct. 1817 and so recorded in SJL . Charles Lowell
36William Lee to Thomas Jefferson, 15 December 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
The young man in question arrived a few days ago and is now at work at the factory. M r Keller tells me he finds him very intelligent—He boards at the factory and M r Keller to whom I have abandoned it for the present wishes to fix the price s of his board and what he is to pay for learning the trade. I have put off the adjustment of these points until I know your ideas on the subject and I...
37William Lee to Thomas Jefferson, 12 January 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I am sorry there has been a misunderstanding respecting M r Stewart — M r Keller thinks he cannot afford to keep him at two dollars per week as from the weakness of his constitution he will never be able to turn out much work the movement of the Loom fatigues him considerably. Besides every necessary of life has become so dear here that in boarding him for 2$ per week M Keller says he would be...
38William Lee to Thomas Jefferson, 6 March 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
M r Arganil a respectable french homme de Lettres residing in Newport R.I. is anxious to procure the situation of professor of the French, Spanish & Italian languages in one of our Colleges for which I believe him eminently qualified. Thinking it possible that such a person may be wanted in the institution patronised by you I take the liberty to inclose for your perusal two or three of his...
39To Thomas Jefferson from William Lee, 20 November 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
Knowing how much you feel for the sufferings of Col o W m Duane I beg leave to lay before you a letter I have this moment received from him and at the same time to state that the place of naval officer at Philadelphia having become vacant M r Duanes friends procured one hundred and fifteen names of the most respectable merchants & others in Philadelphia recommending him to the place which I...
40To Thomas Jefferson from William Lee, 8 January 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr Edward Wyer, a friend of mine purchased in spain the last year, a cabinet of Conchyology and mineralogy, which is said by those who are good judges to be valuable—He wishes to dispose of this collection and thinking it might be wanted at your Institute, I have taken the liberty to mention it to you as I presume it can be had cheap. D r Wallace of Virginia is here & desires me to say that if...
41To Thomas Jefferson from William Lee, 22 January 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been favored by your letter of the 17th. I was induced to write you on the subject of M r Wiers cabinet, from what had occasionally fallen from him and D r Wallace in relation thereto. M r Wier purchased this collection in spain last year, expecting to sell it in the U. States to advantage, in which he has been disappointed and as he contemplates going to Europe, he would prefer selling...