101To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 3 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. A. Lee’s respect to Dr. Franklin. As it is probable the Evening will be dark and bad, which together with the badness of the road at this season will render it very inconvenient for Dr. Franklin to go from Challiot in the Evening; Mr. Lee woud prefer postponing the meeting till to-morrow at Passi. Mr. L. begs the favor of Dr. F. to send him the...
102Arthur Lee to Franklin and John Adams, 20 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society My fever not being yet sufficiently removd to permit me to come to you; I write to you to submit the absolute necessity there is of informing the Minister without delay of the State of our Finances & that the Supply we have askd is immediately necessary. It is possible they may wait for such information before they put the intention we are told they have of...
103To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 18 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy and transcript: National Archives I this moment had the honor of receiving yours of this days date; containing Copies of the Resolutions of Congress of Septr. 11th. & 14th. and October 22d. I shall do myself the honor of paying my Compliments to you on your appointment tomorrow about 12’O’Clock. Nothing can be more agreeable to me than your intention...
104To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 6 February 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Deane in his public Letter has declared, that he receivd a resolution of Congress recalling him & appointing another Commissioner in his place, on the 4th of March. As I woud not wish to charge him with having conceald this from both his Colleagues, and by that means imposd himself upon them & the Court of France, as still a Representative of the United...
105To 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...
106Arthur Lee to Franklin and Silas Deane, 26 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Morristown National Historical Park I am thus far safe on my journey, which by the spur of six pistoles more I am to finish two days sooner than was at first agreed. Therefore if no accident happens, I shall reach my destination on the 6th. of next month. In the Committee’s Letter of the 23d Ocr. to me, it is said we are to negotiate with other...
107To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 6 July 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I write to you more to prove my remembrance of you, than for the importance of any thing I have to communicate. The two defeats near Boston seem to have made little impression on the Ministry. They still talk of great things to be expected from their Generals and Troops when united. One of your judgment will draw more information from the single word Rebels...
108To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 27 January 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society The background of this note was Lee’s dispatch from England to the committee of secret correspondence of June 3, 1776. William Carmichael was supposed to deliver it but did not for more than two years; he and Silas Deane opened it, kept it, and used it, Lee believed, to cause trouble for him. The statement about the episode that Lee enclosed with his note is...
109To John Adams from Arthur Lee, 4 December 1779 (Adams Papers)
You had an opportunity of seeing the commencement of this business of Jones and the Alliance, of which I enclose you the suite. Capt. Landais has been orderd from Amsterdam to Passy by Dr. Franklin where the Doctor, M. Chaumont and Dr. Bancroft have held a Court of Enquiry upon his conduct, and their report, I am told, is to be transmitted to Congress. In the mean time Jones has taken...
110To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 16 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library; copy and transcript: National Archives What elicited this letter, as witness the second notation, was one from Dr. John Berkenhout, a shadowy figure who hoped to be Whitehall’s emissary for exploring peace terms, and had initiated a correspondence with Lee on that subject the previous August. Berkenhout’s letter is unsigned and undated, though it refers to...
111To John Adams from Arthur Lee, 18 March 1779 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday’s advices from England inform us, that Gen. Lincoln was collecting an Army in S. Carolina to meet the Invaders, and that Prévot was to be re-inforcd from N. York; so that it looks as if the War woud be transferd to the Southward. The English loan rises rapidly in its value, as appears by the Omnium, which in a few days mounted from 4 PCt. to 6½. Besides this our Enemies will...
112To Benjamin Franklin from [Arthur Lee], 13 February 1776 (Franklin Papers)
AL : National Archives; copies: National Archives; copy: University of Virginia Library This is the first time that we have printed a letter addressed to Franklin but not meant for him. Our reason is that he eventually received it, contrary to the writer’s intent. The whole episode remains to this day, thanks to the character of Arthur Lee, in Winston Churchill’s phrase “a riddle wrapped in a...
113To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 6 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; ALS (draft): National Archives; copy: Harvard University Library I had not the honor of receiving your letter till today, tho it is dated the 3d. It came by the Penny post. It was by Mr Adams’s information, when on board, that I understood the Alliance “had now a good Crew,” & I cannot express my concern on hearing from you that it is otherwise. The persons...
114To 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...
115Arthur Lee to Franklin and Silas Deane, 22 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Connecticut Historical Society I arrivd here this day and shall pursue my journey to-morrow, and as the march is as regular as the Sun, it is agreed that the Voiturier shall place me in Madrid, in 13 days. By Mr. Delap’s account the Imports from America, I mean from the United States, amounted last year to fifty five thousand pounds Sterling. He expects soon to have an exact list of the...
116To John Adams from Arthur Lee, 15 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
By the bursting of the Lock of one of my trunks on the journey, I was so unfortunate as to lose the packet of M. Gerards Letters; among which was that you copied, and of which I must beg you to send me an authenticated Copy. Since my arrival here, I receivd a Packet from Congress which came by the Confederacy. In that is the Copy of one of the most false and wicked Papers I have read upon the...
117To John Adams from Arthur Lee, 5 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
I enclose you my Copy of Capt. Jones’s Instructions. My opinion is that in quitting his Ship without our leave or orders was a breach of his duty—that his continuing here after receiving his orders is a still more flagrant breach of his duty—that we shall be justly blamd, if we do not give him immediate and peremptory orders to proceed to his duty and compel obedience to them. You will see by...
118The 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...
119Arthur 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...
120To 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...
121To 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...
122Arthur 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...
123Arthur 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...
124To 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...
125To 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...
126Arthur 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...
127Arthur 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...
128To 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...
129To 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...
130Arthur 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...
131Franklin 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...
132To 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...
133To 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...
134To 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...
135The 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...
136The 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....
137The 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...
138The 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...
139The 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...
140The 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...
141The 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...
142Agreement between the American Commissioners and Louis-Guillaume-Servais des Hayes de La Radière, 17 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AD (draft) : American Philosophical Society Whereas le Sr. Laradiere Major du Corps Royal du genie, in the Service of his most Christian Majesty, not having obtain’d his Leave of Absence when the Agreement between us and Messieurs le Chevalier du Portal, de Laumoy, and Gouvion, was concluded, viz. on the 13th of this Instant, could not become a Party by signing the said Agreement, but having...
143The American Commissioners to Schweighauser, 13 July 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives <Passy, July 13, 1778: Load the Boston with whatever Capt. Tucker will take, and particularly with as much lead as he can carry and you can supply.> Published in Butterfield, John Adams Diary , IV , 160.
144The American Commissioners to Henry Johnson, 25 July 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Public Record Office Your Letter of the 18th: We received, as We gave Our Orders generally to Com: Wickes, we omitted writing in particular to You. We are sensible of Your Spirit, and gallant Behavior as an Officer, and of Your Attachment to your Country as an Americain, and shall with pleasure do justice to your Character in Our Letters to the Congress, who we doubt not will pay due...
145The American Commissioners to Jonathan Williams, Jr., 15 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copies: Connecticut Historical Society, University of Virginia Library Yours by Capt. Nicholson are before us. Mr. Deanes Lettres of yesterday proposed passing a Sale of the Lyon and sending her out as french Property, that is that she go down the River as commanded by the french Captain, and that Captain Nicholson instead returning to Nantes go directly to meet her at the mouth of the River...
146II. The Commissioners to the Comte de Vergennes, 9 January 1779 (Adams Papers)
Some late Proceedings of the Enemy, have induced us, to submit a few Observations to your Excellency’s superior Lights and Judgement. His Britannic Majesty’s Commissioners, in their Manifesto of the 3d of October, have denounced “a Change in the whole Nature and future Conduct of the War,” they have declared “that the Policy as well as Benevolence of Great Britain, have thus far checked the...
147The American Commissioners to William Hamilton and John Welch, 11 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We have received your Letters and wish it was in our Power to do more for officers in your Situation than We do, altho that amounts in the whole to a large Sum of Money. But as We have already lent you as much, as We have been able to lend to other officers of your Rank and in your Circumstances, we cannot, without a...
148The American Commissioners to Ralph Izard, 22 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; two copies: National Archives We have just now the Honour of a Lettre from M. De Sartine dated the 19, which We suppose is his Excellencys Ultimatum concerning your Effects taken in the Nile, and We therefore take the earliest opportunity to inclose you a Copy of it that you may be able to take your Measures in Consequence of it, in which We...
149The Commissioners to C. W. F. Dumas, 10 October 1778 (Adams Papers)
We have received yours of the 2d Instant, with the Declaration sign’d by Mr. Van Berikel, and his explanatory Letter to you, which give us much Pleasure, as they show the good Disposition of that respectable Body, the Burgomasters of Amsterdam towards the United States of America, and their Willingness, as far as may depend on them, to promote, between the Republick of the United States Low...
150The American Commissioners to Samuel Tucker, 15 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society We this Moment had the Pleasure of your Letter from Bourdeaux of Ap. 11. and approve of your Activity in getting your Ship ready for Sea. We have this Day dispatched to Captain Palmes your Orders for your future Government, and shall write this Day to Mr. Bondfield to supply you with all necessary Provisions, and are your...