21John Emery to Arthur Lee, 29 July 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library I have at length got the Liberty of Cap. Allen and his Crew who are now here with some more Sailors which have been taken and sett onshore in Spain. I have a schooner here which is a remarkable fine Sailor and these people seem disposed to make a Cruize this Summer before they go home therefore I am preparing to Arm the Vessell as a Privateer. If you can send...
22From 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...
23Franklin and Silas Deane to Arthur Lee, 15 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (two drafts ): American Philosophical Society Messrs. Franklin and Deane present their respectful Compliments to Mr. Lee, and acquaint him that they propose to send away the Dispatches on Monday; and that they are and were ready and desirous to consult with him upon any Circumstance relating to that Business whenever he may think proper. Their Note of Friday was a simple Proposition for his...
24John S. Harmanson to Franklin and Arthur Lee, 24 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. George Kindall a Neighbour of mine, being bound to France, & not provided with Letters to Paris, I have taken the Liberty to request the favor of Your Civilities shoud he visit Paris— I hope you’ll excuse this Liberty, & also the Liberty to inform you that as I am situated on the Eastern Coast of Virginia oposite to Sandshoal [Island?] abt. 20 Miles...
25From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, 11 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : University of Virginia Library Mr. Franklin’s Compliments to Mr. A. Lee; sends him two Papers containing Facts relating to the Treatment of Prisoners; and begs to be excus’d waiting on him to day at dinner, as he shall be necessarily employ’d at home in preparing Dispatches for England, otherwise the Gentleman cannot set out this Evening nor to-morrow if they are not ready to day, as we...
26Franklin and John Adams to Arthur Lee, 23 July 1778 (Franklin Papers)
L : Harvard University Library Mr. A. Lee is desired to sign and return the enclosed if he approves it. Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur Lee M.P.D.E.U. / a sa Maison / A Chaillot Endorsed: Recd. from a Commissionaire on my way from Challiot to Paris, between 6 & 7 OC. in the Eveng., containing a Paper of which the enclosd is an exact Copy. A Lee July 24th. 1778. Returned unsignd at 8 OC. next...
27From 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...
28From Benjamin Franklin to John Adams and Arthur Lee, [before 28 December 1778] (Franklin Papers)
Copies: National Archives (two), Harvard University Library; transcript: National Archives Monsieur de Monthieu earnestly requests that his accounts may be finished. The receipts were left here some time since. He also repeats his request to be favoured with the Anchors. As we have refused to sell them, he will if we will send them to him deliver them in America to our order. They may thus go...
29From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, 17 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Harvard University Library; AL (draft): American Philosophical Society One of the Messrs: Beaumarin’s of Bourdeaux some time since told me they intended to send a Packet every Month to America, on their own Account, they having great Concerns there. He offer’d indeed to carry our Dispatches; but as at this Distance we could not know the Captains, nor the Degree of Confidence that might be...
30From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, 2 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Boston Public Library Mr. Franklin presents his Compliments to Mr. Lee: Mr. Deane is at Versailles, and Mr. F. cannot say whether the Hour 11 tomorrow will suit him: But as they dine together in town, Mr. F. will endeavour to bring Mr. Deane with him to Mr. Lee’s in their Return, which may be about 5 o Clock, if Mr. F. does not hear, before 11 o Clock to-morrow, that the Evening will not...
31Franklin and Silas Deane to Arthur Lee, 26 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society; copy: Harvard University Library; two copies: National Archives; three copies: University of Virginia Library The greater the public Consequences that may flow from the Return of our Dispatches, the more necessary it seem’d that the Court should be immediately acquainted with it that the miscarriage might as soon as possible be repair’d. It was near...
32From 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...
33From 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...
34From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, 17 September [i.e., August 1779] (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I this day communicated to Mr. Le Comte de Vergenes the Letter you did me the honour of writing to me, relating to the Accession of Spain to The Treaty. His Excellency was pleased to say that he would Speak about it to Mr Le Count d’aranda, who would probably write to his Court for Instructions concerning it. With great Regard. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most...
35Franklin and Silas Deane to Arthur Lee, 3 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
L : Harvard University Library Messrs: Franklin and Deane, will be ready to confer with Mr. Lee, tomorrow at 11. OClock precisely. Enclosed are the Dispatches which came by Mr. Austin, but not having as yet received Duplicates, beg they may be returned, when copied, or done with. Addressed: Honble Arthur Lee Esqr / Chaillot. Endorsed: March 3d 1778 In WTF ’s hand. At the meeting, which took...
36From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, 1 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS (draft): American Philosophical Society There is a Stile in some of your Letters, I observe it particularly in the last, whereby superior Merit is assumed to yourself in point of Care, and Attention to Business, and Blame on your Colleagues is insinuated without making yourself accountable by a direct Charge, of Negligence or Unfaithfulness, which has the Appearance of being as artful as...
37From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, 3 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania I am certain that I have not the Papers you mention, having never since seen them, as I should have done in sorting and looking over my Papers occasionally, if they had been among them. You know the Gentleman better than I do, and can therefore better judge whether a Meeting with him for the propos’d Purpose of making Peace may not be like some of the...
38Berubé de Costentin to Arthur Lee and John Adams, 4 September 1778 (Adams Papers)
En Conformite des ordres que vous M’avez fait l’honneur de m’addresser le 15. du mois dernier le Sr. Thomas Wilkinson a party hier pour la ville de St. Paul de Léon ou il vivra a ses fraix; et J’ay pris pour la Sureté de sa personne touttes les précautions possibles. J’attends de vos ordres ou de Monsieur Francklin sur vos prisonniersicy qui Coûtent bien de la depense la qui me donnent bien de...
39From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, 24 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : University of Virginia Library; copy: Library of Congress I request you would send me by the Bearer, my Grandson, the original Treaty of Alliance which I have a present Occasion to see. And if in assorting your Papers you have separated such belonging to the Publick as may be useful here, and are not necessary to you, I request you would send them also, either now or before you leave...
40From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, 5 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
L : Harvard University Library Dr. Franklin presents his Respects to Mr. A. Lee, is sorry he can not do himself the honour of waiting upon [ him ] on Monday next, being pre-engaged. If Tuesday or Wednesday will suit Mr. Lee’s Convenience, Dr. F. will [ be ] happy to accept his Invitation. Addressed: Honble Arthur Lee Esqr. / Chaillot Notation: March 5th. 1778 In WTF ’s hand. He was perhaps...
41From John Adams to Arthur Lee, 15 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a Letter from London: I have recieved another from Mr. Jennings, who says he inclosed a Letter for you lately, but does not mention the Date, in one to the House of Mr. Grand, and desires me to enquire there, for some things of his, particularly some Maps which You left there. I have enquired of Mr. Grand and his Son Henry, but they know nothing of it. There is Room to hope that...
42The Committee of Secret Correspondence to [Arthur Lee], 12 December 1775 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Maine Historical Society By this Conveyance we have the Pleasure of transmitting to you sundry printed Papers, that such of them as you think proper may be immediately published in England. We have written on the Subject of American Affairs to Monsieur C. G. F. Dumas, who resides at the Hague. We recommend it to you to correspond with him, and to send through his Hands any Letters to us...
43From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, 24 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Harvard University Library Being desirous of thoroughly understanding M. Monthieu’s Accounts, which I am much press’d by him to settle, I request you would please to send me by the Bearer all the Papers you have relating to it.— I should be glad also to have Mr Grands first Accounts, with Mr Deane’s Remarks upon them— I have the honour to be Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant...
44Franklin and Silas Deane to Arthur Lee, 12 February 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: University of Virginia Library We inclose this to Care of Messrs. Delaps hoping it will find you safe arrived in that City. Nothing material has occurr’d since your leaving Us; Long Island is repossess’d by the Provincials, but we have not learned the Particulars. One thought we take this Opportunity of suggesting, should you be able to procure a sum of Money either on Loan, or...
45From 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...
46From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, 5 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Mr. Nesbit has a Demand for Money furnished to subsist some Prisoners in their Journey hither from Dunkirk. If you should think fit to discharge it by a Draft on our banker, I shall concur in approving it. I have the honour to be Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant Addressed: Honourable Arthur Lee Esqr / Chaillot Notation: April 5th. 1778 The Lorient...
47From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, 13 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy and transcript: National Archives I have been told that some Passengers landed at Orient from an American Ship, report, that Mr. Adams is coming out to replace Mr. Deane; but I have received no Advice of that kind from Congress, and suppose that, if true, he will bring their Orders with him. I have the honour to be Sir Your most obedient humble...
48From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, [17 May 1778] (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): American Philosophical Society Mr. Franklin is not inclin’d to sign this Letter to Mr. Grand, 1. because he does not know that any Inconveniencies have arisen from the Order originally given that the Orders of each of us separately should be honoured. 2. Because Mr. Lee is pleas’d to be very angry with him, which is express’d in many of his Letters, and therefore Mr. F. does not...
49The Committee of Secret Correspondence to Arthur Lee, 23 October 1776 (Franklin Papers)
LS : Yale University Library; two copies and extract: National Archives By this conveyance we transmit to Silas Deane Esq. a Resolve of the Honble. the continental congress of Delegates from the Thirteen United States of America, whereby you are appointed one of their Commissioners for negotiationg a treaty of alliance, Amity and Commerce with the Court of France, and also for negotiating...
50From Benjamin Franklin to Arthur Lee, 23 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress The enclos’d which you sent me contain’d a Letter from Mr. Hartley, in which he acquaints me that on the 17th. Lord North had made his Propositions towards a Conciliation with America, and ask’d Leave to bring in two Bills, one to renounce all Claim of Taxation, the other to impower Commissioners to treat with any Persons or Bodies of Men in America on a Peace; which...