211The American Commissioners to John Paul Jones, with Arthur Lee’s Dissent and Their Rejoinder: Three Documents, 16[–18] … (Franklin Papers)
(I) LS : National Archives; copies: Library of Congress, Harvard University Library; (II) ALS : National Archives; copies: Library of Congress, Harvard University Library; (III) ALS : National Archives; ALS (draft): Library of Congress; copy: Harvard University Library As it is not in our Power to procure you such a Ship as you expected, we advise you after equipping the Ranger in the best...
212Arthur Lee to John Adams, 11 May 1784 (Adams Papers)
I cannot let this opportunity, thõ, from M r. Jefferson’s hurry, a transitory one, pass; without writing you a line. The arrangement of our foreign affairs which makes M r Jay Secretary here, & joins M r. Jefferson with you, must I think be pleasing to you, as they both have a friendship for you & are men of ability. It was my wish that the negociations might be carried on at the Hague or in...
213From John Adams to Arthur Lee, 9 June 1779 (Adams Papers)
Your Favours of June 2d and 5th are now before me: that of 29 March, I have answered if I ever received it, for I have answered every one received from you, but not having my Papers at Hand cannot be particular. Thank you for the Manuscript and the Pamphlet. Am happy to hear from you and from all others, so agreable a Character of the Chevalier de la Luzerne, and M. de Marbois the last of whom...
214Arthur Lee to Franklin and Silas Deane, 16 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have receivd an answer from the Court, thro the Duke de Grimaldi, to this effect. That the reasons for wishing me not to come to Madrid are insuperable. That the States may depend on the sincere desire of Spain to see their Liberties establishd and to assist them as far as his own situation will permit. For this purpose I had only to direct the House of...
215John Adams to Arthur Lee, 31 January 1785 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Favour of the 12 th. August from New York, and by the Marquis de la Fayette who visited me last night, I have the Pleasure to learn that you have finished your Negotiations with the Indians, to the Satisfaction and Advantage of the Publick. I learn too with great Pleasure that your Brother has accepted a Seat in Congress and in the Chair. permit me to congratulate you upon...
216To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 2 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; transcript: National Archives; partial copy: Marquess of Abergavenny, Eridge Castle, Sussex (1955) It was with the utmost surprise, that I learn’d yesterday, that Mr. Girard was to set out in the Evening for America, in a public Character; and that Mr. Deane was to accompany him, without either you or he having condescended to answer my letter of the...
217From John Adams to Arthur Lee, 10 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have sometimes complained, that having no Place appointed for the public Papers, nor any Person to keep them in order, was an Inconvenience and Interruption to the public Business; I have added , that to have the Papers in my Chamber, as they are in disorder, and many Persons going to them at Pleasure, taking out Some, and removing others, was un equal upon me, as making me in a Sort...
218To John Adams from Arthur Lee, 12 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have hoped for Leisure to answer your favor as fully as, in my own Vindication, it demands. There are matters touched in it, which imply a Censure upon me, which a recapitulation of facts, I am satisfied, would convince you is unjust. But as I dispair of sufficient Leisure for some time, I must content myself with replying to what is immediately necessary. A desire to remove as much as I...
219From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee: Two Letters, 27 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
(I) and (II) copies: Library of Congress “The offer you make of Sending me Copies Sealed and authenticated of all the Papers in your Hands” is very satisfactory; and as you Say they are but few, I suppose it may Soon be done. I imagined when I desired you to Send me the Originals, that they were a great Many, and at present of no Importance to you; and therefore not worth copying. I assure you...
220From Benjamin Franklin to the Speaker of the Pennsylvania Assembly: a Circular Letter from Franklin, William Bollan, and … (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Princeton University Library; draft: Library of Congress When four of the seven agents to whom the Congress had entrusted its petition refused to have anything to do with it, the three representatives of Massachusetts faced the problem of how to deliver it; and they decided to depart from their instructions and not put it directly into the hands of the King. The “regular Official...
221Arthur Lee to Franklin and Silas Deane, [on or after 18 February 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I thank you for your Letter of the 12th. I wish the news may be true. I found a Letter here from London of the 2d. which says, that Ships are actually sent for the ten thousand Germans, which with three thousand british they expect to have very early in America. That they hope for great advantages from dissentions in Pensylvania. That Burgoyne’s destination...
222Arthur Lee to Benjamin Franklin and John Adams, 22 January 1779 (Adams Papers)
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 and sufficient Voucher is the receit which Mr. Williams did give, or ought to have given to M. Peltier de Doyer at the time he sa id ys he deliverd...
223From James Madison to Arthur Lee, [7] May 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Harvard University Library). The cover is missing. JM addressed the letter to “The Hon. A. Lee, Esq.,” according to the version, wrongly dated “May, 1778,” published in Richard Henry Lee, Life of Arthur Lee, LL.D . (2 vols.; Boston, 1829), II, 331–32. In Arthur Lee’s handwriting, in the right-hand margin of the manuscript’s second page, appears a notation, obviously relating to the price...
224From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, 4 April[?] 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society Mr. Deane communicated to me his Intention of setting out for America immediately as a Secret, which he desired I would mention to no body. I comply’d with his Request. If he did not think fit to communicate it to you also; It is from him you should demand his Reasons. This Court has an undoubted Right to send as Ministers who it pleases and where it...
225From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, 21 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Harvard University Library; draft: Library of Congress We have received your favours from Victoria and from Burgos. The Congress sitting at Baltimore, dispatch’d a Packet to us the 9th. of January, containing Accounts of the Success at Trentown, and subsequent events to that Date, as far as had come to knowledge. The Vessel was obliged to run up a little River in Virginia to avoid some...
226To George Washington from Arthur Lee, 15 June 1777 (Washington Papers)
It has been with uncommon Satisfaction that I have seen you in a situation, in which I long agoe hoped you wou’d be, if we were forced to dispute the great question which in my own Judgement I was satisfied wou’d happen—I never forgot your declaration when I had the pleasure of being at your House in 1768 that you was ready to take your Musket upon your Shoulder, whenever your Country call’d...
227To John Adams from Arthur Lee, 5 June 1780 (Adams Papers)
I am obligd to you for your favor of the 25th. ultimo. The enclosd was an old Letter of the 13 Sepr. 1779. I lament with you the impediments which are studiously thrown in the way of all confidential communication with America on the transactions in Europe, except thro’ a particular channel. All persons begin now to be persuaded, that the Alliance was never intended for America, and that all...
228Arthur Lee to Franklin and Silas Deane, 30 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; two LS : University of Virginia Library; copies: Harvard University Library, South Carolina Historical Society More mature deliberation and fuller lights upon the subject, have satisfyd me that I was wrong in receding from my opinion against the admissibility of the 12th. Article in the proposd commercial treaty. I shoud therefore think myself neglectful of...
229From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee: Two Letters, 13 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
(I) AL (draft): Library of Congress; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives; transcript: National Archives; (II) LS : Harvard University; copy: Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives A severe Fit of the Gout, with too much Business at the same time necessary to be done, have prevented till now my answering yours of the 21st past. I did not imagine there would have been any...
230Arthur Lee to Franklin and Silas Deane, 6 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy and copy of a second version: Harvard University Library; copy and transcript of the second version: National Archives In my last of the 28 June I mentiond my having been robbd of my Papers, and having retreivd them in a few hours. Whether in that time they were read I cannot ascertain, but I think if they who had them, had examind them, they woud on no account have restord them. In my...
231From John Adams to Arthur Lee, 12 April 1783 (Adams Papers)
Congress forced Us, into a situation, which obliged Us to venture upon a Piece of Indiscipline, in order to Secure a tollerable Peace, So that you may well Suppose We are anxious to know how it is received among you, and what is to be our Fate. Whether We are to be approved, excused, justified or censured. The most curious and inexplicable Part of the History is Franklins joining in the...
232Arthur Lee to John Adams, 6 March 1785 (Adams Papers)
I do not know whether I shoud congratulate you on your appointment to the Court of London; since it appears to me the most painful & difficult negociation you coud undertake. The intimate knowlege they have of us, together with the similitude of language manners, & habits will render it more difficult by far to gaurd against their instruments, than against those of any other Court. Besides you...
233To John Adams from Arthur Lee, 24 September 1779 (Adams Papers)
I cannot omit this opportunity of congratulating you, on your being again in the bosom of those you love; after delays so many and so mortifying. I have signifyd my hope to our firm friend , that you will be immediately sent to Congress as a Member, where I hope you and M. de la Luzerne will be able to put a stop to those unworthy proceedings, by which little and malignant Spirits joind with...
234From John Adams to Arthur Lee, 31 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have recieved your’s of the 26th, and that of the 15th. of this Month. I inclose a Copy of the Letter You desire. Mr. Garnier is gone into the Country, and I have not seen him since I arrived here. Mr. Iz. however has seen him and will give You a satisfactory Account of what he says. If I were to apply to the other Gentleman, You know what would be the Consequence. It would fly very soon to...
235To James Madison from Arthur Lee, 16 May 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (University of Virginia Library). Addressed to “The Honble James Madison Esqr. in Congress Philadelphia.” Docketed by JM, “A. Lee.” I am extremely obligd to you, my dear Sir, for yr. favor of the —— together with the letter enclosd, which you were so good as to forward. It seems to me that the Party in G. Britain who flatter themselves, at this period of the contest, with being able to...
236Arthur Lee to Franklin and Silas Deane, 12 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In my return to this place, I receivd the joyful intelligence which I enclose; and in which I congratulat you a thousand and a thousand times. The Congress had removd to Baltimore, and General Putnam was providing for the defence of Philadelphia, before this happy change in the posture of the hostile Army. It is said that the cruelties exercised in the...
237Franklin or Arthur Lee (?) to Genet, [c. 26 October 1778] (Franklin Papers)
Printed in Affaires de l’Angleterre et de l’Amérique XII , part II , cahier LVIII , pp. ccxxv–ccxl On October 24 Genet wrote each of the commissioners asking a response to a number of articles in a New York loyalist newspaper. The Affaires in its cahier dated October 26 (but probably published somewhat later) printed three such responses. The third of these (pp. ccxl–ccxlvii) was a translation...
238To John Jay from Arthur Lee, 17 March 1780 (Jay Papers)
I had not the honor of receiving your favor dated Cadis, the 26 th . of Jany. ’till this day & at this place, where I am to embark as soon as the Alliance is ready. Your Letter had a double Seal upon it, the undermost seeming to be a head, & the one above a Coat of Arms, but what I cannot clearly make out. I mention this that you may judge whether these Seals were of your applying. Give me...
239From John Adams to Arthur Lee, 10 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
I had the honor of yours of August 7th. yesterday. The letters inclosed are sent to their Destinations. I have long since taken such measures, as depended upon me, and continue to do all that Decency will permit, to induce the States to send a Minister to Congress. I am convinced it will not be done before next Spring. To give You a compleat detail of the Reasons of this would cost a tedious...
240To John Adams from Arthur Lee, 7 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
I wrote you a long letter of the 30th. Decr. 1780 to which I have not yet receivd any answer. But I cannot help writing a line to you by this opportunity, as well to congratulate you on the success of your negociations in Holland as to mention to you what I think may be of material concern to you; that the present minister for foreign affairs is as devoted a partizan of Count de Vergennes and...
241From John Adams to Arthur Lee, 25 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
Your kind favour of April 12th. is yet unanswered. With nothing at all to do, I am as busy as ever I was in my Life. Whether any good will result from it time must discover. I have undertaken to inform Congress, a little more particularly than they are want to be informed, of Some Things that have passed in Europe, which will ultimately affect them: but I find it is in vain to put my Eyes out...
242The Continental Congress: Instructions to Franklin, Silas Deane, and Arthur Lee as Commissioners to France, [24 … (Franklin Papers)
Attested copy: Harvard University Library This document was long in the making. On August 27 Congress expanded the committee that was drafting the proposed treaty of commerce with France, and ordered it to draft also instructions to the commissioners who were to carry the treaty. The committee reported the instructions on September 10. On the 24th, a week after Congress approved the treaty, it...
243To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 16 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: University of Virginia Library; transcript: National Archives I had the honor of receiving yours of the 13th. touching my endorsement on your Nephew’s Accounts. When Mr. Bondfield’s Accounts were sent to the Commissioners I examind them with the Vouchers & endorsd upon them the observations which occurrd to me. I compard M. Schweighauser’s Accounts with the original Vouchers & Receits...
244To John Adams from Arthur Lee, 10 August 1788 (Adams Papers)
I receivd your favor, my dear Sir, by which I perceive you are once more a farmer at Braintree—a real Cincinnatus without being of that noble Body which resembles him in name alone. I am inclind to beleive that you also will be calld from your plough to fill the place of Vice President under the new Constitution. Virginia, I think, will return Gen l. Washington & yourself. If the four new...
245The Continental Congress to Franklin, William Bollan, Edmund Burke, Charles Garth, Arthur Lee, Thomas Life, and Paul … (Franklin Papers)
LS : Library of Congress This letter from the Congress over the signature of its president carried to England the official news, so long awaited, of what had happened in Philadelphia. The letter was drafted at the end of the session by a committee of two and approved on the last day, October 26. Charles Thomson, the Secretary of the Congress, enclosed it in a covering letter of the same date...
246Arthur Lee to John Adams, 12 August 1784 (Adams Papers)
Your favor of the 6 th of April found me here two days ago, waiting for the necessary preparatives to a definitive treaty of peace & boundary, which in conjunction with some other gentlemen I have undertaken to negociate with the indian nations. To œconomize, by saving the expence of a monthly bounty to which the troops of Massachusetts & N. Hampshire, were entitled, A Majority of Congress...
247Antoine-Raymond-Gualbert-Gabriel de Sartine to the American Commissioners, 5 July 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library <Versailles, July 5, 1778, in French: As I need Captain Jones for a certain expedition, I would like him to remain here. If this does not prove inconvenient, please leave him at my disposal, and give the command of his vessel to his second.> Published in Taylor, Adams Papers , VI , 265.
248Lambert Wickes to the American Commissioners, 15 April 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This letter speaks of preparations for a major American naval move, Wickes’s cruise in the Irish Sea. The commissioners had summoned him to Paris in mid-March, and out of their consultations had come the plan for the cruise. The tiny squadron was to consist of the Reprisal and a cutter, renamed the Dolphin , which had been intended for a packet and was now...
249Lambert Wickes to the American Commissioners, 12 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This will be handed you by Mr. Joseph Fichet Armeture De Le Scarboucle of 22 Guns 6 pounders, which is now at this port and is thought to be one of the fastest Sailing Ships belonging to France, she is now out of repair or would answer our purpose very well. She is very Old and will want a very heavy repair. As the Gentlemen intends rebuilding said Ship...
250The American Commissioners to Abraham Whipple, 13 June 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: National Archives (two), University of Virginia Library, Yale University Library <Passy, June 13, 1778: Mr. Hezekiah Ford, chaplain to North Carolina troops in the continental service, was captured and sent to Europe, and has now found his way to us in Paris. We recommend him to be chaplain on your frigate until he returns home.> Published...
251E. F. van Berckel to Benjamin Franklin: A Translation, 23 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
The undersigned, Councilor Pensionary of the City of Amsterdam, has the honor to inform all the gentlemen who find themselves duely commissioned by the congress of the United States of America, that he finds himself authorized by the burgomasters of the city to declare in their name that, assuming the said congress will not enter into any agreement with the English commissioners that would be...
252The American Commissioners to Thomas Morris, 26 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Library of Congress We have expected some Remittances from you to our credit, in consequence of the sales which have been made at Nantes. You must be sensible how very unbecoming it is of the situation we are in, to be dependent on the credit of others. We therefore desire that you will remit with all possible expedition the Sum allotted by the Congress for our expences. Notation: Mr. T....
253The American Commissioners to Vergennes, 18 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copy: Archivo Historico Nacional On March 14 the commissioners received their first dispatches from America. Among them was the letter above of December 30 from the committee of secret correspondence, enclosing the Congressional authorization to offer Versailles territorial inducements to enter the war. Deane promptly informed Vergennes that...
254Thomas Thompson to the American Commissioners, [before 29 December 1777] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I thot before this to have given you an acct. of our departure; nothing Hinders but wind and weather. Shall forward the accts. &c. at my Departure, and write you fully; I recivd Mr. Franklines Inclosing Mr. Boudiens; also a Letter from Mr. Lee Informing of a spy’s being in Lorient; the time of sailing and the way I intend to go is a matter that remains...
255The American Commissioners to Thomas Thompson, 13 October 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Connecticut Historical Society We recd. from Messrs. Gourlad &c. an acct. of your arrival and were informed that you had a Private Letter for us which we have not yet recd. Conclude it must Come to hand in the Course of this week. Mean time we desire you would inform us in a Letter under Cover of Messrs. Gourlade &c. what is the situation of your Vessels and what their destination, as...
256Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners, 10 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Nantes, September 10, 1778: M. Montaudoüin has learned from Mr. Kergariou, commander of the French frigate Oiseau , that the Guernsey and Jersey privateers which infest this bay provision in Bilbao under pretense of being American. I hope this practice can be stopped.> Published in Taylor, Adams Papers , VII . This prominent Nantes merchant, identified...
257The American Commissioners to John Bondfield, 11 September 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, September 11, 1778: We have received yours of the 5th and wish better health to Captain Ayres. His ship should sail forthwith if it has not already done so. We will honor the draft for the account you enclosed, but you must distinguish the sums advanced to Mr. Adams in a private capacity as well as those...
258The American Commissioners to Emmanuel-Yves Bersolle, 22 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress Your Bill upon our Banker was not paid, because it was drawn without our leave; and before you had sent us the Accounts to shew we were your Debtors. When we have examind your Accounts and found them just; we shall give you Notice, that our Banker will pay your Draft for the Sum due. We conceive you cannot with any sort of propriety require payment sooner. We...
259The American Commissioners to Vergennes, 17 July 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
LS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copy: National Archives <Passy, July 17, 1778: We enclose a resolution of Congress about the treaties, and request that it be laid before the King. It will show him how he has won the hearts of that body and of the American people by a beneficence that time will never efface.> Published in Taylor, Adams Papers , VI , 298. See also the...
260Jonathan Williams, Jr., to the American Commissioners: Two Letters of Introduction, 6 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society This will be presented you by Monsr. De Foligné Commander of a french Frigatte belonging to Mr. Montieu. He is lately arrived, after a successfull Voyage, from South Carolina, and comes to Paris on Business. I beg leave to introduce him to you as a Gentleman of exceeding good abilities in his profession and much attached to the american Interest, which he...