51To Thomas Jefferson from Arthur Lee, 13 October 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
I am persuaded that when I state to you my situation, you will see the justice and necessity of contriving some immediate means of re-imbursing me the Advances I have made for the State. In consequence of these, the funds in my hands which were to support my Ambassy, are almost entirely exhausted, and Dr. Franklin refuses to supply me out of the funds in his disposal. The consequence of this...
52To John Adams from Arthur Lee, 2 June 1779 (Adams Papers)
Either my Letter to you of the 29th. March miscarried or you are in my debt. The inclosed MS which belongs to you was seald to go by Mr. Ford and was omitted by mistake. This will be delivered to you by the Chevalier de la Luzerne and M. de Marbois, whom you will find to be Gentlemen worthy of the important trusts they fill. I am much obliged to you for your kindness to Mr. Ford, and hope you...
53To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 8 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society On November 4 the commissioners learned that the King of Spain, enraged by an American capture of goods belonging to his subjects, had canceled a loan to the United States. Vergennes suggested, according to Arthur Lee’s journal, that a letter to Madrid from the commissioners would doubtless be effective; the King was as quick to forgive as he was to take...
54John Adams and Arthur Lee to John J. Pringle, 12 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Massachusetts Historical Society, Library of Congress, National Archives (two) We have received your Letter of Feb. 9. offering your Services to the public by going to England to negotiate an Exchange of Prisoners, We have considered this Subject and judging it necessary to send some Person upon this Business, We have determined to accept of your Proposition, and We desire you to...
55To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 19 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy and transcript: National Archives I receivd the letter you did me the honor to write me on the 13th. Relative to the few papers of our late joint Commission remaining in my hands. They are confounded among a multitude of other papers. I will examine the whole soon, and if I find any that relate to public Accounts remaining unpaid (which I do not...
56Arthur Lee and John Adams to John Julius Pringle, 12 February 1779 (Adams Papers)
We have received your Letter of Feb. 9. offering your Services to the public by going to England to negotiate an Exchange of Prisoners. We have considered this Subject and judging it necessary to send some Person upon this Business, We have determined to accept of your Proposition, and We desire you to prepare yourself for the Journey, with all convenient Dispatch. Your Instructions shall be...
57To James Madison from Arthur Lee, [24 May] 1782 (Madison Papers)
Printed text (New York Book and Art Auction Company Catalogue No. 75, 1–2 March 1939). Addressed to “Honble. James Madison, Esqr., in Congress, Philadelphia.” The letter is unsigned, but JM docketed it, “May 24, 1782. A. Lee.” The above Resolves are directed to be sent to you as Instructions. They wait the confirmation of the Senate which has not yet formed a House, but will I hope effect it...
58To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 9 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania; AL (draft): National Archives 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. I feel it as a duty to the Public to give you this information; & have the...
59Arthur Lee to Franklin and Silas Deane, 13 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. A. Lee’s Compliments to Dr. Franklin and Mr. Deane. He receivd a Letter yesterday from Bilboa informing him, that the ten thousand Blankets for which Mr. Lee had remitted money from the spanish fund were ready to be shipt together with a very great quantity of Sail and tent cloth, Anchors, Cables, Cordage and Dreggs but that they must either purchase...
60To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 26 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr A. Lee returns his Compts to Dr. Franklin; & will have the honor of waiting upon him on the 5th. of July. Mr Lee will be very much obligd to Dr. Franklin, if he will order an authenticated copy to be made for him, of the Letter, from the Commissioners, to Count de Vergennes, on the agreement with Hortalez & Co., dated Passi Sepr. 10th. 1778 with a copy of...
61Arthur Lee and John Adams to William Lee, 13 January 1779 (Adams Papers)
The Letter which you did Us the Honour to write Us on the 15 December, We have received. As We have heard nothing further of the Congress in Germany, which you inform Us was talked of, We presume that no such Measure will take Place. However, whether there be a Congress or not, We cannot comply with the Terms of the Gentleman you mention, nor Advise him to take any Steps in the Business. We...
62To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 29 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): National Archives I have found not only the Original of the Treaty of Alliance, but that too of the separate & secret Act, both which I have now the honor of sending you. They were seald up together with my Copies which made them escape my observation before. I have the honor to be with the greatest esteem & respect Sir Yr. most Obedt. Humbl...
63To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee: Two Letters, 26 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
(I) AL : American Philosophical Society; copy: National Archives; (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: National Archives Mr Lee has the honor of presenting his Compts. to Dr. Franklin; & of forwarding the enclosd, which came in Mr Lovell’s letter to him. It has pleasd Congress to continue me as their Commissioner to the Court of Spain, without making any alteration, that has come...
64To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 3 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania A Gentlemen calld on me this moment, who wishes for a Passport to gain him admission into the State of Virginia or any other of the United States. Upon my referring him to you, as the only person in this Country who coud give such a Passport, he informs me that he has already waited on you, & that you referrd him to me. I beg the favor of you to write...
65Arthur Lee to Franklin and John Adams, 28 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Your Letter informing me of the Alteration of your Intention, not having reached my House till some time after the Hour you had appointed for setting out for Versailles, I was gone before it arrived. I informed Count Vergennes, that you were coming, & we waited till 5’ O’Clock under no small Embarressment, especially myself, to conceive what detained you....
66To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 29 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): National Archives I find that there remain scarce fifty pounds of the funds that were in my hands, & my inevitable expences in quitting this place & returning to my Country, will I apprehend amount to four or five hundred. If the state of the public funds in your disposal will permit you to furnish me with that Sum it will save me from very great difficulties & distress. I have the...
67To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 2 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Harvard University Library; two copies and transcript: National Archives Mr. Montieu was informd by us all, that it woud be necessary for him to shew the receits from the Agent Mr. Williams, of the Articles chargd in his Account, before it coud be finally settled. He went down to Nantes where Mr. Williams & his Burau were. Instead of receits specifying the number, colour & condition of...
68Arthur Lee to Franklin and John Adams, 22 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: University of Virginia Library M. Monthieu calld on me yesterday, but I was too ill to see him. I suppose it was to urge the payment of his demand, which I am by no means yet satisfyd is due. The Papers he has given in, instead of vouching it, render it suspected. The only true & sufficient Voucher is the receit which Mr. Williams did give, or ought to have given to M. Peltier duDoyer at...
69Arthur Lee to Franklin and Silas Deane, 28 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Harvard University Library; two copies: University of Virginia Library I must submit my opinion to your judgment as to the propriety of postponing the proposition I mentiond. I am so convincd of the necessity and of its being our indispensible duty to send the Treaties in french, which is stipulated to be the text, that I will employ every moment of...
70To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 27 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In consequence of what you mentiond to me relative to the german Courts, I consulted the Spanish Ambassador whether it coud be determind with any degree of certainty, how long it woud be before the business I am pledged for with his Court woud require my attendance. His answer was, that it was altogether uncertain. In this situation it appeard to me that...
71Arthur Lee to Franklin and Silas Deane with Their Reply, [30 October 1777] (Franklin Papers)
AL : University of Virginia Library Mr. Lee presents his Compliments to Dr. Franklin and Mr. Dean. He has been prevented from waiting upon them this morning as he intended, but will do it this Evening having a Letter to communicate. The Bearer Mr. Floyd will wait to carry Dispatches, if the Gentlemen think it necessary; if not he is sollicitous to go off this Evening, and wants an advance of 7...
72Arthur Lee to Franklin and John Adams, 8 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Having not seen the Letter of Mr. Williams to which one of those sent me is an Answr. I cannot form any judgment of it. As there are no marks mentiond by which Mr. Deanes claim to any of the Goods in the possession of the public Agent can be ascertaind—as all the Goods in question, were, when received, declard to be on account of the public; & as I perceive...
73Arthur Lee: Report on Montieu’s Accounts, 30 December 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Two copies and transcript: National Archives Mr Lee’s report upon the foregoing Receipts given in to the Commissioners to support Mr. Montieu’s Account The Letter of Mr. Williams is as inexplicit & unsatisfactory as all his other Accounts. If Mr. Williams had done his duty he shoud have counted the Uniforms he receivd & returnd to the Commissioners the number of them, the quality of the cloath...
74To John Adams from Arthur Lee, 26 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have but one moment to thank you, for your favor with one from London enclosd which I received on my return from Brest. We are likely to be detaind here by the prize-money for the Serapis &c. not being paid, without which the Crew of the Alliance threaten a Mutiny. If, as I apprehend it may, the application I requested you to make to Mr. G rand should at all interfere with your plan, which I...
75To George Washington from Arthur Lee, 2 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I enclose your Excellency the latest account that has been received here of European Politics. The Governor of Virginia writes us— that a Vessel just arrived from the W. Indies informs, that Count de Grasse has totally defeated the English fleet; taken or destroyd 4 sail of the line, & 100 sail of Transports with 3,000 Troops on board. His Letter is dated the 23d ult. I beg my respects to Mrs...
76To John Adams from Arthur Lee, 30 May 1786 (Adams Papers)
My Nephew Tho s. Lee Shippen wishes to be recommended to your patronage; & I am satisfyd he cannot be under better protection. I therefore entreat you to let him find favor in your sight, & that you will have the goodness to assist him with your advice, in the conduct of his legal Studies which he purposes to finish at the Temple. Our finances are unhappily at as low an ebb, as they who think...
77Arthur Lee to Abigail Adams, 23 April 1783 (Adams Papers)
I arrived in Philadelphia this day and had the honor of receiving your Commands of the 9th. Tho’ we were exceedingly desirous of the assistance of Mr. Adams in what yet remains to be done in Europe; yet his Letters were so pressing, that the Committee to whom they were referrd coud not resist reporting in favor of his resignation. Congress have not yet considerd that report; but I think Madam,...
78To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 8 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): National Archives I have just receivd a Letter from my Brother in Germany informing me of your having written to him, that— “When Capt. Lemaire came over last year & made known here the wants of Virginia, you found three different Merchants of ability, who offerd each of them separately to supply the whole”— I shall be very much obligd to you...
79John Adams and Arthur Lee to William Lee, 13 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives (two) The Letter which you did Us the Honour to write Us on the 15 December, We have received.— As We have heard nothing further of the Congress in Germany, which you inform Us was talked of, We presume that no such Measure will take Place. However, whether there be a Congress or not, We cannot comply...
80Arthur Lee to Franklin and Silas Deane, 27 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Three copies: National Archives I reached this three days from Munich and in expectation of hearing from you to Morrow shall not proceed till the 29th. Dresden will be my next Stage. There is a Cold tranquillity here, that bodes us no good. On ne peut pas echauffer la froi deur alle magne [froideur allemande]. From what I learn we need be under no apprehensions from Russia. I hope you will not...