31Franklin 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...
32From 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 /...
33To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 3 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: National Archives Mr. Grand has informd me, that Mr. Williams continues drawing upon him, tho he has receivd no Order to answer his Draughts, and I believe has no funds in his hands at present. As this is an irregularity I have thought proper to advise you of it. For myself having never been informd or consulted about the Orders that have been given...
34To John Adams from Arthur Lee, 27 July 1785 (Adams Papers)
Being at this place, on private business, I cannot omit the opportunity of writing to you. The critical & alarming situation of this Country, makes me extremely anxious to hear the issue of your negociations at S t. James’s. An obstinate adherence, on the part of the british, to thier present commercial system; will, for a time, involve us in great difficulties. But I am persuaded, the...
35To Thomas Jefferson from Arthur Lee, 4 September 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
It was not until the 7th. of July 1779. that I received your favor of the 9th. of July 1778. It was open, without any seal, nor was the memorandum you mention enclosed. All this I suppose arose from Mr. Anderson and his Vessel having been captured by the Enemy. It gives me very singular concern, that I was thus deprived of an opportunity of serving you which woud have given me the greatest...
36To John Adams from Arthur Lee, 15 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
I am so unwell to-day that I cannot stir out. Will you have the goodness to expedite what is necessary for Mr. Livingston and he will bring the Papers for me to sign. I suppose a Commission, Instructions and our Orders for his sailing will be sufficient. Adieu RC ( PPAmP : Franklin Papers); addressed: “Mr Commissioner Adams Passi”; docketed in an unknown hand: “Hon. A. Lee Esqr to Hon J. Adams...
37Arthur Lee to Franklin and Silas Deane, 28 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Harvard University Library; copy and transcript: National Archives; extracts with added paragraph: Harvard University Library, National Archives I have not yet receivd a line from you. It is not easy to divine the reason of so long a silence. There is for sale here and deliverable in any port in France, fourteen thousand weight of brass Cannon at 6 Guineas the Quintal, and Six thousand...
38John Adams and Arthur Lee to Ralph Izard, 13 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives (two) We had the Honour of your Letter of Yesterdays date, on the same Day, informing Us of your having drawn a Bill upon Us, for five hundred Louis D’ors. We have the Honour to inform you that the Bill, being presented to Us, was accepted the same day by, Sir your most obedient &c BF , opposed to...
39From John Adams to Arthur Lee, 7 March 1779 (Adams Papers)
I should be obliged to you to let Mr. Franklin take a Copy of our Letter to the Comte De Vergennes, relative to sending a Naval Force to America. The original Draught you have, which I should be obliged to you to send to me at Nantes after Mr. Franklin has taken a Copy of it, as I have no Copy of it, at all. I am with great Respect, your humble servant RC ( MH-H : Lee Papers); docketed by...
40To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 13 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. A. Lee has the honor of presenting his Compliments to Dr. Franklin— He receivd this Evening the two Letters dated this day, which Dr. Franklin has done him the honor of writing to him. Being employd in moving to new Lodgings, it will be some days before he can answer them. Notation: Mr. A Lee. Chaillot 18 mars 1779. In the Saint Germain district of...
41To John Adams from Arthur Lee, 12 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
I am obliged to you for yours of the 31st. which I received by Capt. Landais. You will have perceived by my last, that what you write relative to an application to Mr. Grand was what struck me upon reflection. Far from wishing to involve you with such People, I am clearly of opinion that it never will be for your honor or interest, or those of the public, to have any connection with them. The...
42From 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,...
43To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 13 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): National Archives The Passport you gave me being expird & useless; I shall be obligd to you for sending me another. I have the honor to be with great respect, Sir, Yr. most obedt. Humble. Servt. Addressed: The Honble / Doctor Franklin / Minister plenipotentiary / from the United States / at / Passi Notation: A. Lee L’Orient June 13. 1780....
44To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 21 August 1772 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Historical Society of Pennsylvania Mr. Lee’s Compliments to Dr. Franklin. The Gentleman who deliverd him the inclosd Letter, having informd him, that the Bearer of it from Mr. Cushing was under an express injunction to deliver it to Dr. Lee in the absence of Dr. Franklin, as the Contents requird immediate attention; Mr. L. took the Liberty of opening it. The Contents however appear to Mr....
45Benjamin Franklin and Arthur Lee to Vergennes, 10 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
We have the Honour to acquaint your Excellency, that Mr. Adams, appointed by the Congress to replace Mr. Deane in the Commission here, is safely arrived, and purposes to wait upon you as soon as recovered a little from the Fatigue of his Voyage. The Ship in which he came is a Frigate of 30 Guns, belonging to the Congress. In her Passage she took a large Ship from London to New York, with a...
46From 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...
47To George Washington from Arthur Lee, 13 May 1787 (Washington Papers)
I have receivd private information, that it is the intention of the meeting of the Cincinnati to re-elect you as their President, notwithstanding your letter. They think you are so plegd to them, by some of your letters that you cannot refuse the Presidency. The expected removal of Congress to Philadelphia, has again faild by one vote. I am inclind to think, that the more this step is...
48To George Washington from Arthur Lee, 10 July 1771 (Washington Papers)
When I sit down to sollicit your patronage; I trust more to your goodness, than to any claim I can have on your favor from merit or acquaintance. Having understood, that it is probable the Assembly will revive the Agency-bill; I take the liberty of entreating your vote & interest, in being appointed. Knowing what influence you very justly possess; I shall greatly depend for success, on your...
49To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 13 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy and transcript: National Archives This note and Franklin’s reply, which follows, must have been exchanged in the early hours, for later the same morning Lee called on his friend Lauraguais and told him that the commissioners were withholding the news of Deane’s recall until official confirmation arrived. As early as the 6th Deane himself had heard...
50To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 10 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): National Archives I had the honor of receiving your Letter of yesterday in which you inform me, that Messrs. Bayard, Chaumont, & Montieu were the Merchants you alluded to in your Letter to my Brother, & that you understood their terms were those proposed by Virginia. The first of these Gentlemen, who never applied to me, I understand is a...
51From John Adams to Arthur Lee, 24 March 1779 (Adams Papers)
I have this Moment the Honour of yours of 18. I am perfectly of your Opinion that We have yet a hard Battle to fight. The Struggle will yet be long, and painfull, and the Difficulty of it will arise from nothing more than the weak Disposition both in our Country men, as well as our Allies to think it will be short. Long before, this War began I expected, a severe Tryal: but I never foresaw so...
52From George Washington to Arthur Lee, 15 March 1785 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to receive a letter from you dated at Carlisle the 19th of Novr last, which should not have remained unacknowledged until this time, if I had known of any opportunity of addressing a letter to you in the Western Territory. I have now heard of your passing thro’ Philada on your way to Congress, & have been honor’d with a copy of your second treaty with the Western tribes of...
53To John Adams from Arthur Lee, 10 September 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have but one moment to tell you, that I left Mrs. Adams your Children, General and Mrs. Warren in good health four days ago. I shall soon set out for Philadelphia. Hancock is chosen Governor, owing cheifly to your absence. I paid a visit to Mrs. Dana at Cambrige, who with her Children are well. Please to remember me to her Husband. Mr. S. A. is at Congress, which is very thin. They have...
54To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 24 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; ALS (draft): Harvard University Library Mr Monthieu’s Accounts & papers were at Passy when I saw them last. The public Accounts were there also & if they do not remain there still, I apprehend Mr Grand has them, the large one being signd by Mr. Deane which he therefore wished to keep. But I am confident you had a copy of it, & that he will tell you the...
55From George Washington to Arthur Lee, 20 May 1787 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your favor of the 13th, since my arrival at this place. My Rheumatic complaint having very much abated (after I had the pleasure of seeing you at Mount Vernon) I have yielded to what appeared to be the wishes of many of my friends, and am now here as a delegate to the Convention. Not more than four states were represented yesterday. If any are come in since it is...
56To George Washington from Arthur Lee, 19 November 1784 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure of enclosing you a Copy of the treaty lately concluded with the Six Nations, in which the carrying place & the fort of Niagara, together with a competent district round Oswego are securd to the U.S. By attempting a speedier rout down the Susquehannah, we have been thrown greatly back as to the time appointed for the 2d treaty. But I hope we shall have compleated that by the...
57To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 5 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and AL (incomplete draft): American Philosophical Society Not knowing any thing of the transaction referrd to me; nor whether the Captains have given any order for the payment, I cannot judge whether it is fit to discharge the enclosed Accounts. I have the honor to be Sir Your most Obedient and respectful Servant Addressed: To the / Honble B. Franklin / at / Passi Notation: Ar Lee to BF....
58To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 21 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy and transcript: National Archives Yr. Grandson delivered to me between 12 and 1 O’Clock on the 19th. your letter dated the 18th., in which you desire I will send by the Bearer all the papers I have belonging to this department. I have no papers belonging to the department of Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court of Versailles. But if you mean Sir, the...
59From 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...
60From 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...