1To 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...
2To 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...
3To 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...
4To 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...
5To 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...
6To 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...
7From 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...
8To John Adams from William Lee, 18 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
Walsingham with 6 Ships of the line, the troops and the W. India fleet pass’d Plimo. the 8th. and Graves with 7 Ships of the line left St. Helens the 10th. to follow him, and as the winds have been since, Graves having only his 7 Ships and Walsingham a large fleet there is no doubt of their having join’d, but I do not learn with certainty the real destination, of Walsingham and his troops. By...
9To 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...
10To 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...