1From John Adams to William Lee, 2 September 1780 (Adams Papers)
I am much obliged to you, for your care of my Packet which I recieved with your favour of 27 of August, containing the News of the Confirmation of it, So far as an Extract from two London Gazettes could confirm it, but it is Still with much difficulty credited here. There is no Letter nor Newspaper in this City from London, Since the 18 of August, which is to me inexplicable. I should have...
2From John Adams to William Lee, 10 April 1783 (Adams Papers)
I know not to what extravagances Adulation may extend in regard to D r: Franklin—nor do I much care, now the Independence of our Country, her Tom-Cod & Buckskins are so well secured. I expect soon to see a proposition to name the 18 th. Century, the Franklinian Age, le Siecle Franklinnien, & am willing to leave the Question, whether it shall have this epithet or that of Fredericien, to the D...
3From John Adams to William Lee, 29 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have the Honour of yours of the 25th. and am in equal pain with you for Charlestown, especially Since the Arrival of A Vessell at Nantes from Baltimore, which brings a certain Account of Clintons Arrival the latter End of February, at the southward, with forty five Ships, escaped from the Wreck of the Tempest. There is no certain Account of his Landing nor of the precise Place where he...
4From John Adams to William Lee, 6 December 1780 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the 29th. Ultimo is before me. Arnold’s Apostacy shews the Necessity of nipping Dishonesty in the Bud. Congress must assume a more decided Authority, and must punish Crimes, and in other Ways do Justice to the Public. If Arnold had been sued at Common Law for the Money or Goods of the Public that he had defrauded the Public of, he would never have had another Command. Juries are the...
5From John Adams to William Lee, 20 July 1780 (Adams Papers)
Yours of the 8th I received in due Course of Post. The Letter from Clinton, arrived first at L’orient, in a Phyladelphia Newspaper, which had been sent to Mr. Jay. Mr. Wharton I think copied it and sent it to Dr. Franklin, who communicated it. Soon after it appeared in Boston and other Newspapers without a hint of its Want of Authenticity. Within a few days past, I have seen a Gentleman from...
6From John Adams to William Lee, 2 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
Your Favour of the 30th. of March, is just come to Hand, and I thank you for it. I did not Suspect construe any Thing in your last into a design of drawing from me, any of the Secrets of my mission, indeed there is no secret in it, but my Instructions, which will I hope forever remain so, untill they are executed if that time should ever come. I have had Reasons, however for saying nothing...
7From John Adams to William Lee, 19 November 1780 (Adams Papers)
I am honoured with yours of the 15 and congratulate you on your Recovery, and that of your Family, mine have all luckily escaped hitherto. The Relaxation of Mr. L.s Confinement is owing intirely to the Ministry getting Information that the opposition intended to make a Motion about him. This would have made so much Noise and excited so many Speculations, that they had reason to dread it. Ten...
8John Adams and Arthur Lee to William Lee, 13 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives (two) The Letter which you did Us the Honour to write Us on the 15 December, We have received.— As We have heard nothing further of the Congress in Germany, which you inform Us was talked of, We presume that no such Measure will take Place. However, whether there be a Congress or not, We cannot comply...
9From John Adams to William Lee, 13 April 1780 (Adams Papers)
I received yesterday, your favour of the 9. The Vessell you inquire after, is from Baltimore. What day she Sailed I dont know, she brought, very large Bundles of Newspapers a Year and an half old, and only three modern ones. These are all Baltimore Papers, and the latest of them is 15. Feb. Not a Scratch of a Pen to Dr. Franklin or me. All the News in these Papers, is, they have had an hard...
10From John Adams to William Lee, 6 June 1780 (Adams Papers)
I had duely your Favours of 10 May, and another Since Rodneys Account of the Action of the 17 April. But have not been able to answer before. The Language which is held by the English both in and out of Parliament, is quite incomprehensible by me. Do they really believe what they say? Do they believe that America, will return to them? Well! next Winter, which approaches fast, there must be 22...