1To Benjamin Franklin from Lord Dartmouth to Franklin, William Bollan, and Arthur Lee, 23 December 1774: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Public Record Office <St. James’s Square, Friday, December 23, 1774: A note in the third person asking them to meet him at his house at ten the following morning. > To learn how the King had received the petition from the Continental Congress; see the following document.
2From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, 12 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Harvard University Library Mr Franklin presents his Compliments to Mr Lee, and sends all the Journals he has; but, as he has not yet had time to read them, he prays Mr Lee to return them when he has perus’d them.— Addressed: The honble A Lee Esqr / Paris. Notation: Sepr. 12. 1779 Lee did so later that day with a note saying, “Mr. Lee presents his Compts. to Dr. Franklin & returns the...
3From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, 9 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress The Merchants alluded to in my Letter to your Brother, were Mr. Bayard, Mr. Monthieu, and M. Chaumont. The Terms I understood to be those proposed by Virginia. I have the honour to be with great respect, Sir Your most obedient and most humble servant An obvious mistranscription by the copyist.
Bordeaux, 14 April 1778. RC ( PPAmP : Franklin Papers). Bondfield, still unaware that JA was at Paris, gave general shipping information, noted Capt. Tucker’s exertions to prepare the Boston for sea, and commented on the stagnation of Franco-American trade that would continue “until War is declared or Peace is establish’d.” RC ( PPAmP : Franklin Papers).
5From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, 9 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I have received no Answer relative to the Proposition you mention. Perhaps without waiting longer for an Answer, thro’ Versailles it might be as well for you to apply directly to the Spanish ambassador for the Information you desire. With much Respect I have the honour to be Sir, Your most obedt. humble servant In response to Lee’s of the previous day.
6From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, 3 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society It is true I have omitted answering some of your Letters. I do not like to answer angry Letters. I hate Disputes. I am old, cannot have long to live, have much to do and no time for Altercation. If I have often receiv’d and borne your Magisterial Snubbings and Rebukes without Reply, ascribe it to the right Causes, my Concern for the Honour and Success...
7From Benjamin Franklin to William and Arthur Lee, 27 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Pierpont Morgan Library; copy: University of Virginia Library Mr. Franklin presents his Compliments to Messrs. W. and A. Lee, and has the honour to acquaint them, that Mr. Deane is return’d from Versailles, where the Ministers have agreed to dispatch another and stronger Fregate from Brest, to carry the Dispatches of the Commissioners: They have accordingly sent an Express thither, to day...
8From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, 31 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Amherst College Library I have not at present any Public Money in my hands; and all that I can expect will be necessary to pay Congress Drafts, and other indispensible Orders and Engagements. I have the honour to be, with very great Respect Sir, Your most obedient and most humble Servant Addressed: To / The honourable Arthur Lee Esqe. / Paris. / [ in another hand: ] a lhotel notre Dame /...
9From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, 19 March 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library I leave Directions with Mrs. Stevenson to deliver you all the Massachusetts Papers, when you please to call for them. I am sorry that the Hurry of Preparing for my Voyage and the many Hindrances I have met with, prevented my meeting you and Mr. Bollan, and conversing a little more on our Affairs before my Departure. I wish to both of you Health and Happiness,...
10From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, 5 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : The late Arthur Bloch The interview to which this brief note is a summons was the one that the commissioners had requested the day before, to discuss making the treaty public. Gérard met them on schedule, and opened the conversation by taking Lee to task for misquoting him to Aranda about another matter; Lee put the blame on Deane, who refused to take it. Franklin then recalled them to...
11From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, 6 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society; incomplete transcript: University of Pennsylvania Library Mr. Williams had Orders from Mr. Deane and my self to purchase and make up a large Quantity of Cloathing, and ship the same, in pursuance of the Orders of Congress. I imagine you were not in France when this Measure was taken, and so could not be consulted. But you certainly have been...
12From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, 30 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : University of Virginia Library; copy: Library of Congress I received but Yesterday Morning just as I was going out of Town; the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me dated the 26 Inst. respecting my supplying you with Money for your Support in Spain. As I cannot furnish that Expence, and there is not, in my Opinion, any likelihood at present of your being received at that Court, I...
13From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, 11 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : University of Virginia Library Mr. Franklin’s Compliments to Mr. A. Lee; sends him two Papers containing Facts relating to the Treatment of Prisoners; and begs to be excus’d waiting on him to day at dinner, as he shall be necessarily employ’d at home in preparing Dispatches for England, otherwise the Gentleman cannot set out this Evening nor to-morrow if they are not ready to day, as we...
14From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams and Arthur Lee, [before 28 December 1778] (Franklin Papers)
Copies: National Archives (two), Harvard University Library; transcript: National Archives Monsieur de Monthieu earnestly requests that his accounts may be finished. The receipts were left here some time since. He also repeats his request to be favoured with the Anchors. As we have refused to sell them, he will if we will send them to him deliver them in America to our order. They may thus go...
15From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, 17 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Harvard University Library; AL (draft): American Philosophical Society One of the Messrs: Beaumarin’s of Bourdeaux some time since told me they intended to send a Packet every Month to America, on their own Account, they having great Concerns there. He offer’d indeed to carry our Dispatches; but as at this Distance we could not know the Captains, nor the Degree of Confidence that might be...
16From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, 2 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Boston Public Library Mr. Franklin presents his Compliments to Mr. Lee: Mr. Deane is at Versailles, and Mr. F. cannot say whether the Hour 11 tomorrow will suit him: But as they dine together in town, Mr. F. will endeavour to bring Mr. Deane with him to Mr. Lee’s in their Return, which may be about 5 o Clock, if Mr. F. does not hear, before 11 o Clock to-morrow, that the Evening will not...
17From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, 17 September [i.e., August 1779] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I this day communicated to Mr. Le Comte de Vergenes the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me, relating to the Accession of Spain to The Treaty. His Excellency was pleased to say that he would Speak about it to Mr Le Count d’aranda, who would probably write to his Court for Instructions concerning it. With great Regard. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most...
18From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, 1 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): American Philosophical Society There is a Stile in some of your Letters, I observe it particularly in the last, whereby superior Merit is assumed to yourself in point of Care, and Attention to Business, and Blame on your Colleagues is insinuated without making yourself accountable by a direct Charge, of Negligence or Unfaithfulness, which has the Appearance of being as artful as...
19From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, 3 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I am certain that I have not the Papers you mention, having never since seen them, as I should have done in sorting and looking over my Papers occasionally, if they had been among them. You know the Gentleman better than I do, and can therefore better judge whether a Meeting with him for the propos’d Purpose of making Peace may not be like some of the...
20From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, 24 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : University of Virginia Library; copy: Library of Congress I request you would send me by the Bearer, my Grandson, the original Treaty of Alliance which I have a present Occasion to see. And if in assorting your Papers you have separated such belonging to the Publick as may be useful here, and are not necessary to you, I request you would send them also, either now or before you leave...
21From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, 5 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
L : Harvard University Library Dr. Franklin presents his Respects to Mr. A. Lee, is sorry he can not do himself the honour of waiting upon [ him ] on Monday next, being pre-engaged. If Tuesday or Wednesday will suit Mr. Lee’s Convenience, Dr. F. will [ be ] happy to accept his Invitation. Addressed: Honble Arthur Lee Esqr. / Chaillot Notation: March 5th. 1778 In WTF ’s hand. He was perhaps...
22From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, 24 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library Being desirous of thoroughly understanding M. Monthieu’s Accounts, which I am much press’d by him to settle, I request you would please to send me by the Bearer all the Papers you have relating to it.— I should be glad also to have Mr Grands first Accounts, with Mr Deane’s Remarks upon them— I have the honour to be Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant...
23From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, 5 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Nesbit has a Demand for Money furnished to subsist some Prisoners in their Journey hither from Dunkirk. If you should think fit to discharge it by a Draft on our banker, I shall concur in approving it. I have the honour to be Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant Addressed: Honourable Arthur Lee Esqr / Chaillot Notation: April 5th. 1778 The Lorient...
24From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, 13 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy and transcript: National Archives I have been told that some Passengers landed at Orient from an American Ship, report, that Mr. Adams is coming out to replace Mr. Deane; but I have received no Advice of that kind from Congress, and suppose that, if true, he will bring their Orders with him. I have the honour to be Sir Your most obedient humble...
25From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, [17 May 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society Mr. Franklin is not inclin’d to sign this Letter to Mr. Grand, 1. because he does not know that any Inconveniencies have arisen from the Order originally given that the Orders of each of us separately should be honoured. 2. Because Mr. Lee is pleas’d to be very angry with him, which is express’d in many of his Letters, and therefore Mr. F. does not...
26From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, 23 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress The enclos’d which you sent me contain’d a Letter from Mr. Hartley, in which he acquaints me that on the 17th. Lord North had made his Propositions towards a Conciliation with America, and ask’d Leave to bring in two Bills, one to renounce all Claim of Taxation, the other to impower Commissioners to treat with any Persons or Bodies of Men in America on a Peace; which...
27From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, 23 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received the Letters you did me the honour of writing to me, the 23th. Inst: informing me of the Passport I had before given you being expired and desiring another. Inclosed I have the Honour of sending it to you. With great Respect, I am sir, your most obedient and most humble Servant Actually the 13th, above. We have not located the passport. The present letter...
28From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee and Ralph Izard, 19 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Yale University Library; copy: Library of Congress I received last Night the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me, relative to your having a Passage in the Alliance. It was unnecessary to use Arguments with me, to shew the Propriety of that Measure. Mr Lee may remember that I mentioned it to him some Weeks since; and receiving no Answer I imagined he had other Views. The Ship is...
29From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee: Two Notes, 18 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) LS : Harvard University Library; copies: National Archives, Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives I have the honor to communicate to you herewith Copies of Resolutions of Congress, of Sept. 11. Sept. 14. & Oct. 22. I shall endeavour strictly to comply on my Part with the Commands of Congress contained in the latter; which are at the same time perfectly agreable to my...
30From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, 3 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Library of Congress, Harvard University Library I did write to the Gentlemen at Nantes concern’d in fitting out the Vessels for America, offering them the Alliance as a Convoy and order’d her to Nantes accordingly. They did not chuse to accept that offer Knowing, as I Supose, her Weakness, but Sail’d for Brest, to go with the french Convoy without waiting her arrival and would probably...
31From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, 19 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Harvard University Library Mr. Franklin presents his Compliments to Mr. Lee, and acquaints him that M. Bertin (the Minister) requests his Company at Dinner on Tuesday the 26th Inst. at Chatou. Mr. F. also reminds Mr. Lee of their being expected at Dinner to day, at M. Chalut’s (Fermier General) Place Vendôme. Addressed: A Monsr / Monsieur Lee / à Chaliot Endorsed: May 19. 1778 Invitations...
32From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, 3 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Historical Society of Pennsylvania As I had no Knowledge of the Gentleman, & he said he had lived in Virginia, I referr’d him to you, imagining you might know something of his Character, and whether it would be proper to give him the Pass he desires. If upon conversing with him you apprehend it may be safely done, I would do it on your...
33Franklin and Silas Deane to Arthur Lee, 13 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania; copies: American Philosophical Society, University of Virginia Library Messrs. Franklin and Deane present their Compliments to Mr. Lee, and acquaint him that they propose to send away the Dispatches on Monday next. Endorsed: Feby 13. 1778 This copy, in Lee’s hand, was appended to his reply below, Feb. 14; the AL is in BF ’s hand.
34Franklin and Silas Deane to Arthur Lee, 27 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Princeton University Library We should be glad to see you as soon as convenient to you, in order to consult on the Dispatches. We are, Your most obedient Servants Addressed: Honble Arthur Lee Esqr / Chaillot Notation: F & D In BF ’s hand. The meeting is discussed in the headnote on the commissioners’ dispatch below, Nov. 30.
35Franklin and John Adams to Arthur Lee, [28 December 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL : Yale University Library Dr Franklins & Mr Adams Compts to Mr Lee & inform him Mr Monthieu is here, and being bound to Nantes is desirous of settling his account. Beg Mr Lee to come, directly if he can, and bring, any of Mr Monthieus Papers if he has any. Addressed: Mr Commissioner Lee Endorsed: F. & A. about settlg Montieu’s accts. In JA ’s hand. The Monday preceding Lee’s comments on...
36John Adams to [Franklin and Arthur Lee], 5 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Harvard University Library Mr. Adams has recd. from the Count De Vergennes a Letter containing Information that his Majesty will see Mr. A. on Fryday, and an Invitation from the Count to Messrs. Franklin Lee and Adams to dine with him on that Day. The Letter is addressed to Messrs Franklin Lee and Adams. Notation: 5 May 78 Elicited by Vergennes’ note to the commissioners the day before....
37Franklin and Silas Deane to Arthur Lee, 28 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
LS and copy: Harvard University Library; AL (draft ): American Philosophical Society; two copies: University of Virginia Library The treaties are copying both in French and English, will be done to Day and ready to be examined by you tomorrow Morning. We do not desire to postpone any Proposition you make, otherwise than from the Impossibility of doing two things at once. We suppose the Convoy...
38Franklin and Silas Deane to Arthur Lee, 15 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (two drafts ): American Philosophical Society Messrs. Franklin and Deane present their respectful Compliments to Mr. Lee, and acquaint him that they propose to send away the Dispatches on Monday; and that they are and were ready and desirous to consult with him upon any Circumstance relating to that Business whenever he may think proper. Their Note of Friday was a simple Proposition for his...
39John S. Harmanson to Franklin and Arthur Lee, 24 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. George Kindall a Neighbour of mine, being bound to France, & not provided with Letters to Paris, I have taken the Liberty to request the favor of Your Civilities shoud he visit Paris— I hope you’ll excuse this Liberty, & also the Liberty to inform you that as I am situated on the Eastern Coast of Virginia oposite to Sandshoal [Island?] abt. 20 Miles...
40Franklin and John Adams to Arthur Lee, 23 July 1778 (Franklin Papers)
L : Harvard University Library Mr. A. Lee is desired to sign and return the enclosed if he approves it. Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Lee M.P.D.E.U. / a sa Maison / A Chaillot Endorsed: Recd. from a Commissionaire on my way from Challiot to Paris, between 6 & 7 OC. in the Eveng., containing a Paper of which the enclosd is an exact Copy. A Lee July 24th. 1778. Returned unsignd at 8 OC. next...
41Franklin and Silas Deane to Arthur Lee, 26 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society; copy: Harvard University Library; two copies: National Archives; three copies: University of Virginia Library The greater the public Consequences that may flow from the Return of our Dispatches, the more necessary it seem’d that the Court should be immediately acquainted with it that the miscarriage might as soon as possible be repair’d. It was near...
42Franklin and Silas Deane to Arthur Lee, 3 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
L : Harvard University Library Messrs: Franklin and Deane, will be ready to confer with Mr. Lee, tomorrow at 11. OClock precisely. Enclosed are the Dispatches which came by Mr. Austin, but not having as yet received Duplicates, beg they may be returned, when copied, or done with. Addressed: Honble Arthur Lee Esqr / Chaillot. Endorsed: March 3d 1778 In WTF ’s hand. At the meeting, which took...
43The Committee of Secret Correspondence to [Arthur Lee], 12 December 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Maine Historical Society By this Conveyance we have the Pleasure of transmitting to you sundry printed Papers, that such of them as you think proper may be immediately published in England. We have written on the Subject of American Affairs to Monsieur C. G. F. Dumas, who resides at the Hague. We recommend it to you to correspond with him, and to send through his Hands any Letters to us...
44Franklin and Silas Deane to Arthur Lee, 12 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: University of Virginia Library We inclose this to Care of Messrs. Delaps hoping it will find you safe arrived in that City. Nothing material has occurr’d since your leaving Us; Long Island is repossess’d by the Provincials, but we have not learned the Particulars. One thought we take this Opportunity of suggesting, should you be able to procure a sum of Money either on Loan, or...
45The Committee of Secret Correspondence to Arthur Lee, 23 October 1776 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Yale University Library; two copies and extract: National Archives By this conveyance we transmit to Silas Deane Esq. a Resolve of the Honble. the continental congress of Delegates from the Thirteen United States of America, whereby you are appointed one of their Commissioners for negotiationg a treaty of alliance, Amity and Commerce with the Court of France, and also for negotiating...
46Franklin and Silas Deane to Arthur Lee, 1 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: Harvard University Library; AL (draft): American Philosophical Society; copies: National Archives (four), University of Virginia Library (two), South Carolina Historical Society We have maturely considered your Letter of the 30th past. And tho’ we cannot see the mischievous Consequences of the 12th. Article which you apprehend, yet conceiving that Unanimity on this Occasion is of...
47Franklin and Silas Deane to Arthur Lee, 1 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
L : Harvard University Library Messrs. Franklin and Deane present their Compliments to Mr. Arthur Lee, it not being likely that the Dispatches can be ready at 12. O Clock beg Mr. Lee, would change the time of his coming to half past 5. at which time there is no doubt but that every thing will be ready. Mr. Franklin juniors respectful Compliments to Mr. A. Lee and reminds him of his Engagement...
48John Bondfield to Franklin and Arthur Lee, 14 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Capt. Tucker pays unwearied attention to get forward the Ship so that on a Days notice we shall be soon in readiness to obey whatever Commands your Honors will see fitting to give. Her sails Rigging and Stores are all preparing. There has been no arrivals from the United States on this Coast since my last of the 10th Instant. The present unsettled State...
49Franklin and John Adams to Arthur Lee, [27 November 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL : Pierpont Morgan Library Dr Franklin and Mr Adams present their Compliments to Mr Lee, and request that the Journey to Versailles may be postponed to Sunday at 8 O Clock in the Morning for several particular Reasons besides the bad Weather.— Addressed: The Hon. Mr Lee / Chaillot Endorsed: F. & Adams Notation: Recu La Lettre une de mieur a pré [une demi-heure après] que Monsieur Leé a etté...
The delegates of the United States of New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pensylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, to all who shall see these presents send greeting. Whereas a trade upon equal terms between the subjects of his most Christian majesty the king of France and the...