1William Lee’s Account of a Conversation with Franklin, 15 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AD : Virginia Historical Society Waited this day on the Honble. Doctor Benjamen Franklin Minister Plenipo. from the U. S. of America at the Court of Versailles, congratulated him on his apt.—gave him an account of the Political state of Germany & Hold.— of the danger there was of G. B. geting a considerable number of Troops in Germany as soon as the peace between the Emp. & K. of P. shd. take...
2To John Adams from William Lee, 24 April 1783 (Adams Papers)
Above ten Daies after its date I was honor’d with your favor of the 10 th. instant, & am indeed apprehensive with you, that America has lost the favorable moment for establish g a desirable commercial connection with Great Britain; but this is not the only, nor the greatest, mischief that has flow’d upon us from the same Source. you will by this time be able to judge of the dispositions of the...
3To Benjamin Franklin from William Lee, 27 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Virginia Historical Society By the Letter you did me the Honor to write to me the 17th. instant, I perceive you are still under a mistake relative to the Contract made with D’Acosta & Co.— There never was to my knowlege any Contract made with that house for the same things that I requested you to apply for to the French Ministry on account of the...
4William Lee to the American Commissioners, 19 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; autograph copy: Virginia Historical Society I shall be obliged to you for furnishing me with a Copy of the Treaties you have enter’d into with the Court of France, that I may not propose any thing inconsistent therewith to the Courts of Vienna and Berlin for which places I intend to set out on Saturday next. Any information or advice that you may be...
5To Benjamin Franklin from William Lee, 4 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The other day I made use of the Liberty you gave of leaving two paper percels and a letter for my Brother at your house and was sorry to be so unfortunate as not to find you at home. Very early in the morning I set out for Havre and expect to return in 8 or 10 daies at farthest, but if in the mean time my presence here Should be requisite, a line directed...
6To John Adams from William Lee, 17 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor of your favor of the 6th. instant and perfectly agree with you that Congress must assume a more decided authority to prevent a repetition of such infamy as Arnold s . In our situation, I look upon a Congress without full authority and respect to its determinations, as a body without a Soul—it is the knot which tyes the union between the States; which if once dissolv’d, may be...
7To Benjamin Franklin from William Lee, 8 July 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Virginia Historical Society I am advised that Robt. Morris Esqr. The Superintendant General of Finance for Congress, has directed you to pay me, what is due to me from Congress out of the first money that came into your hands. I am now to request that you will please to inform me whether you have, or have not recd. such directions from...
8To Benjamin Franklin from William Lee, 11 June 1776 (Franklin Papers)
AL (letterbook draft): Robert E. Lee Memorial Foundation, Stratford Hall, Va. The Bill of Mess. W. & M. dated 12 Decr. 1775 on Mess. P. & J. Berthon value £300. which you remitted to my Brother, is this day accepted payable at 60 daies by Agreement, this I doubt not you will think prudent to accept. I wish you long life, health, Success and happyness, and with a tender of any service, in my...
9To Benjamin Franklin from William Lee, 7 October 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania; copies: Virginia Historical Society (three), University of Virginia Library I have the Honor to send you herewith, Copy of a Letter from Mr. Robt. R. Livingston Secretary of Congress for Foreign Affairs—of the 18th. of July last, & of an order of Congress of the 2d. of the same Month, to which be pleased to refer. As you inform’d me in you Letter of...
10To Benjamin Franklin from William Lee, 30 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the Honor of writing the 23d. of Jany. last to the American Commissioners at the Court of Versailles requesting that they wou’d, in consequence of the recommendation of Count De Vergennes, apply to the Prince De MontBarey for certain Artillery, Arms & Ammunition for the State of Virginia which I had authority to engage that State to pay for, as soon...
11To Benjamin Franklin from William Lee, 5 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I cou’d not set out so soon as I intended but expect to be in Rouen tomorrow night and shall be back by Saturday or Sunday at farthest unless some unforseen accident detains me a day or two longer. The inclosed letter is just recd. Be so good as to take care of it ’till I return, the writer is generally well inform’d and thoroughly to be depended on. By the...
12William Lee to the American Commissioners, 23 January 1779: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Frankfort-on-Main, January 23, 1779: In following my instructions from the state of Virginia to procure cannon, arms, and ammunition from the French ministry, I applied to Vergennes, who thought it best that you should apply to the prince de Montbarey, the business falling within the department of the Secretary of War. Consequently, I request your help and...
13To Benjamin Franklin from William Lee, 13 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft:) Virginia Historical Society Before I quitted this place it was my wish to put the public commercial business, as far as I was empowerd, into such a train that it might be conducted with harmony and effect. I had experienced in myself that the partiality you and Mr. Deane manifested for Mr. Williams and the powers with which you thought proper to invest him had greatly impeded me in...
14William Lee to the American Commissioners, 15 December 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Frankfurt-on-Main, December 15, 1778: It occurs to me it would be serviceable to have an agent at the congress of French and Russian ministers which I mentioned in my letter of the 9th. This agent might counteract the schemes of Britain and if not bring Russia entirely over to our interests at least render her attachment to our enemies less forceful. I...
15To 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...
16To 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...
17To John Adams from William Lee, 10 May 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have had the pleasure of receiving your favor of the 29th. Ultimo, since which the Enemy have furnish’d us with such intelligence relative to affairs at Chas. Town and New York as they choose to publish, but I understand in General, that they are very greatly alarm’d for the very defenceless State in which N. York has been left and the extreme doubtfulness of Clintons success in his attempt...
18To John Adams from William Lee, 30 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have had the Honor of Receiving yours of the 21st. instant. The Name of the person you wish to know is, the Duke of Brunswick, Brother to Prince Ferdinand, Field Marischall and Commander in cheif of the Dutch Land Forces. He is not liked by his Family as they conceive, he is too much attach’d to the House of Austria. The Quintuple Alliance that you mention, I conceive is only the conjecture...
19To Benjamin Franklin from William Lee, [14 January 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Lee presents Compliments to Dr. Franklin. He received the Louis. The London paper is inclosed. That with the Boston papers were sent by Mr. Deane to Mr. A. Lee who carried them out with him yesterday as Mr. W. L. tho’t to leave them at Passi, but it seems he left them with Mr. Izard. They will be sent for today and return’d immediately. Mr. L. is just...
20To John Adams from William Lee, 28 January 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of the 20th. instant which disappointed me a good deal, for I had received much pleasure from being told by Mr. Searle that you were fully vested with the same powers that Mr. Laurens had, which occasion’d my writing what I did in my last. I must confess that I can’t be perfectly easy, however favorable things may appear, while the War continues and the Independence...
21William Lee to the American Commissioners, 6 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
Autograph copy: Virginia Historical Society; two transcripts: National Archives In conformity to the general instructions of the secret committee that you should be consulted and advised within all important cases relative to their commercial affairs, and Mr. Thos. Morris joint commercial Agent with me being now dead and as I am just on the point of setting out for Germany, I think it...
22To Benjamin Franklin from William Lee, 23 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Lee presents his most respectful Compliments to Dr. Fraklin and will have the pleasure of waiting on him tomorrow forenoon to take leave and hopes the Copy of the Treatys will be ready for him. Addressed: Honble / Benjamen Franklin Esqr. Notation: W. Lee 23 March 1778 to BF. He had requested these copies on the 19th. BF , answering on the 24th, pointed...
23To Benjamin Franklin from William Lee, 5 August 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have received a letter from Robert Morris Esqr. informing me that he has impower’d Mr. Ross to settle the affairs of his late Brother Thomas Morris Esqr. and I presume he has also authorized Mr. Ross to receive and take into his possession the papers of the late Mr. Thos. Morris. Therefore if Mr. Ross shou’d apply to you on this Subject and you think the...
24To John Adams from William Lee, 17 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
I understand the our Enemies have now in contemplation, the offering of some terms to America, which go no farther than a Truce; probably, somewhat similar to the propositions made last year by Spain to Great Britain. Tho’ I am not inform’d of the terms of Peace with which you are charged, nor whether your powers are discretionary, I trust you will not think it an intrusion in me to offer my...
25To Benjamin Franklin from William Lee, 25 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Virginia Historical Society The trunk that is the subject of this letter was coming to resemble Pandora’s box. Thomas Morris had jumbled his papers as he had jumbled his two roles, as agent for the secret committee and for Willing & Morris. The commissioners were interested only in his public papers, but the official order that Lee took to Nantes was...
26William Lee to the Commissioners, 15 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
I had the Honour of writing to you the 9th instant and then mention’d the Congress that it is generally beleived will take place this Winter between Ministers from the Courts of Versailles and Petersburg to accommodate the difference between the Emperor and King of Prussia; and that I was inform’d G. Britain had prevail’d on the Court of Petersburg to endeavour at the same time to mediate a...
27To Benjamin Franklin from William Lee, 2 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Lee has the Honour of presenting his Compliments to Doctor Franklin and shall be obliged to him for the loan of the two last Boston papers he has, which shall be returned in an hour and also for the last English papers. Mr. Lee would be glad to know if any determination is come to, relative to supplying him with the necessary funds, for his appointment...
28William Lee to the American Commissioners, 18 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Princeton University Library; copy: Virginia Historical Society; two copies of extracts: University of Virginia Library Yesterday arrived here The Brig Liberty Capt. Herbert with 108 hogsheads of Tobacco on Account of the State of Virginia consign’d to J. Gruel & Co. She left Virginia July 10th runing the fire of 5 Men of War that guards the mouth of the Bay of Chesapeak. The Capt. is a...
29William Lee to the Commissioners, 8 May 1778 (Adams Papers)
Frankfort on the Main, 8 May 1778. printed: William Lee, Letters The Letters of Richard Henry Lee , ed. James C. Ballagh, New York, 1911–1914; 2 vols. , 2:429–430. Lee reported that, because of Frederick’s refusal to recognize American independence and conclude a commercial treaty, he was about to depart for Vienna, where prospects seemed better, particularly if France exerted pressure on...
30To 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...