1Arthur 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,...
2From 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...
3From George Washington to Arthur Lee, 29 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with your favor of the 13th & thank you for the information—your Corrispondent at Paris had good ground for his opinion, and we have abundant reason to be pleased at the event, which he predicted the near approach of. I heartily congratulate you on the conclusion of the War—& hope the Wisdom of the States will point to that line of policy which will make them a great—a...
4To George Washington from Arthur Lee, 13 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
In a Letter I recievd yesterday, dated Paris, Decr 14. from a Gentleman exceedingly well acquainted with the Politics of St James’s, is this passage—"The acknowledgment of American Independency gives a right to Neutral Powers to trade directly to America. This will be a great advantage shoud the War continue, of which I think there is little probability. Europe seems to be in a disposition for...
5From 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...
6To John Adams from Arthur Lee, 1 October 1782 (Adams Papers)
I enclose you some late proceedings by which you will perceive that Mr. Laurens is to be made a victim if possible to the system of throwing every thing into one man’s hands. By these votes you will judge pretty accurately who are Devotees to this unjust, unwise, and irrepublican system. Except that of N. Y. where one of the ays was from policy given against the motion of which he was probably...
7From John Adams to Arthur Lee, 29 August 1782 (Adams Papers)
I have a great Mind to envy your Situation or to wish myself with you in Congress where I Should have less Anxiety and more health, if not an opportunity to do more good. The Mynheers have overcome most of their Terrors and are now well fixed, in the good System. They will hearken to no Seperate Proposals, and therefore will make an important Diversion in our favour although they Should not...
8To 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...
9From James Madison to Arthur Lee, 25 June 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC (Harvard University Library). Cover missing. About one-third of the last four lines on the left-hand side of the first page of the manuscript, and about the same fraction of the last four lines on the right-hand side of the second page of the manuscript, are missing. The bill which you lately inclosed to me was duly honored, and the contents of it are in my hands subject to any order which...
10From James Madison to Arthur Lee, 28 May 1782 (Madison Papers)
Printed text (Richard Henry Lee, Life of Arthur Lee , II, 328–30), inaccurately dated 1778. Addressed to “The Hon. Arthur Lee, Esq.” An extract, copied from the original and correctly dated, is item No. 1533 in a catalogue of the John Clark Company, Cleveland, Ohio, for January 1916. I received your favour of the 16th inst. between nine and ten o’clock last night, the post having been delayed...
11To 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...
12To 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...
13From 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...
14From George Washington to Arthur Lee, 15 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 2d Instt and thank you for the several articles of European intelligence contained in it. permit me to solicit a continuation of such advices as you may think interesting respecting the Military or political Manoeuvres of foreign powers. such communications will not only be a private gratification, but may produce public good; as a perfect knowledge of these...
15To 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...
16To Thomas Jefferson from Arthur Lee, 13 March 1782 (Jefferson Papers)
In your retird situation it will not I hope be disagreable to you to hear what is going on at this place. You will see in what state our western Country rests in Congress, by the Extract that I shall subjoin. The report has not been taken up because the Enemy think they shall acquire an accession of strength, by their usual arts, and by the admission of Vermont, as a state. On our part, not...
17From George Washington to Arthur Lee, 7 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor to receive the letter wch you did me the favor to write on the 19th Ulto, and thank you for the extract taken from the letter of Mr Lee of Feby 20th. The information contained in it is important, & went to some matters which were new to me. I suspt with you, that Mr Lee is rather too sanquine in his expectation of a genl Peace within the year, but he accompanys it with a...
18To Thomas Jefferson from Arthur Lee, 15 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Philadelphia, 15 Dec. 1780 . Introducing “the Marquis de Laval and the Count de Custine, two Officers of rank in M. de Rochambeau’s Army; and of the first distinction in France.” RC ( NNP ); 1 p. See La Luzerne to TJ, 18 Dec. 1780 , note.
19From John Adams to Arthur Lee, 6 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have received your Favour of September 10th and am very glad to hear of your Visit to Braintree and Plymouth. I have traced your Path as far as Governor Trumbulls at Lebanon. I hope you found, Things in the Eastern States, as well as all others agreable. Govr. Trumbulls son and Mr. Tyler, are taken up in England and committed for high Treason. This will cure the Silly Itch of running over to...
20From John Adams to Arthur Lee, 6 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
Yours from Lebanon 28 Sept. is just come to hand. I wish the Mass. happy in their Governor. It would not have been otherwise, as you Suggest, had an Absent Citizen been at home. Popularity is a Witch. The Gentleman chosen has long been So, to a great degree. The Absent one could Scarcely ever be Said to be so. So it has ever been. Objects must be set up for popular Admiration, Confidence, and...
21George Washington to Arthur Lee, [20 November 1780] (Hamilton Papers)
[ Passaic Falls, New Jersey, November 20, 1780. ] Discusses need for large foreign loan. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. Lee had returned to the United States in September after having served as, one of the commissioners to France from the United States.
22From George Washington to Arthur Lee, 20 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am much obliged to you for the suggestion you do me the favour to make in your Letter of the 11th, as I shall at all times be for any others which may occur to you advancive of the public Service. I am so entirely convinced of the absolute necessity of a large and immediate foreign aid of money, to the continuanc⟨e⟩ of the War, that I should be happy to do any thing I could with propriety to...
23To George Washington from Arthur Lee, 11 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
The manifest necessity of an immediate supply of money for the public service, & the difficulty I am sure there will be in obtaining it from the Court of Versailles, induce me to suggest to your Excellency that, in my judgment, nothing will promote the attainment of it more than your opinion made known to that Court, of its being indispensible to the continuance of the War. The very high...
24Arthur Lee to Committee of Congress, 27 October 1780 (Madison Papers)
FC (Harvard University Library). The remainder of the Furniture, of which you ask the particulars, consists of Knives, Forks Spoons, plates & table Linnen, with two Iron travelling bedsteds, Mattresses & Sheets. The exact quantity of these things I do not know, but they cannot be of much value; being broken Setts, & having been usd for upwards of three years. I have the honor to be with the...
25Arthur Lee to Committee of Congress, 21 October 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC ( NA : PCC , No. 78, XIV, 375, 378). I had the honor of receiv’g this day at 1 O C. P.M. a Note from you desiring a sight of my Expenditures on public Account, that you may be enabled to report the proper disposition of them for Liquidation In conformity to your desire, I now send you the Accounts, & will wait upon you immediately if it suit your conveniency, with the Vouchers referrd to in...
26To John Adams from Arthur Lee, 28 September 1780 (Adams Papers)
Having come here to converse with the worthy Governor, an opportunity of his Dispatch is afforded me of writing you a single line to inform you of my having left Mrs. Adams and all your friends well a few days since. Mr. Hancock is chosen Governor, much owing to your absence and the in-attention of those who wish well to their Country and will probably repent of their inactivity. Measures are...
27To 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...
28From 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...
29To John Adams from Arthur Lee, 14 June 1780 (Adams Papers)
By the enclosed copy of a Letter I have sent Capt. Jones you will see that the dispute between him and Capt. Landais, is come to an alarming higth. The latter went on board the Alliance yesterday and has the command of her. The former has claimd the protection of the governing powers here, who will not employ force unless they have an express order for it from Above, or they come to blows on...
30To 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....