61To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 23 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Titles of the Bills movd for by Ld. North 1st. That leave be given to bring in a Bill to enable his Majesty to appoint Commissioners with sufficient Powers to Treat, consult and agree upon means of quieting the Disorders now subsisting in certain of the Colonies, Plantations and Provinces in North America. 2d. That the Propositions be referrd to the...
62To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 8 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society You had the goodness to inform me on the 17th. ult. that Count de Vergennes had chargd himself with enquiring whether it woud be agreable to the spanish Court that I shoud propose concluding the Treaty with them. I beg the favor of you now, to let me know whether you have receivd any & what answer to this enquiry. I have the honor to be with much respect...
63To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee and Ralph Izard, 18 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: National Archives Being desirous of returning to america we request that the Alliance may be orderd to convey us thither. We are induced to desire this not only from a regard to our own safety but also from a sense of the dishonor it woud reflect on our Country to have persons returning from the employments we have filled in her service, made prisoners in trading Vessels or obliged to...
64To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 16 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society A Gentleman has ask’d particulars of me about a Packet which he says he understood from you was to sail soon with our Dispatches. Nothing having communicated to me on that subject; I beg the favor of you to inform me whether it is so with the name of the vessel, when and from whence she will sail. I have the honor to be with great respect dear Sir Your most...
65To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 8 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society On November 4 the commissioners learned that the King of Spain, enraged by an American capture of goods belonging to his subjects, had canceled a loan to the United States. Vergennes suggested, according to Arthur Lee’s journal, that a letter to Madrid from the commissioners would doubtless be effective; the King was as quick to forgive as he was to take...
66To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 19 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; copy and transcript: National Archives I receivd the letter you did me the honor to write me on the 13th. Relative to the few papers of our late joint Commission remaining in my hands. They are confounded among a multitude of other papers. I will examine the whole soon, and if I find any that relate to public Accounts remaining unpaid (which I do not...
67To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 9 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania; AL (draft): National Archives I have now waited here three months for the Alliance, & see no probability of her sailing. The discontent of the Crew has increasd to such a degree, as in my judgment to threaten the most ruinous consequences, if their demands are not satisfyd. I feel it as a duty to the Public to give you this information; & have the...
68To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 26 June 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr A. Lee returns his Compts to Dr. Franklin; & will have the honor of waiting upon him on the 5th. of July. Mr Lee will be very much obligd to Dr. Franklin, if he will order an authenticated copy to be made for him, of the Letter, from the Commissioners, to Count de Vergennes, on the agreement with Hortalez & Co., dated Passi Sepr. 10th. 1778 with a copy of...
69To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 29 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): National Archives I have found not only the Original of the Treaty of Alliance, but that too of the separate & secret Act, both which I have now the honor of sending you. They were seald up together with my Copies which made them escape my observation before. I have the honor to be with the greatest esteem & respect Sir Yr. most Obedt. Humbl...
70To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee: Two Letters, 26 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
(I) AL : American Philosophical Society; copy: National Archives; (II) ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: National Archives Mr Lee has the honor of presenting his Compts. to Dr. Franklin; & of forwarding the enclosd, which came in Mr Lovell’s letter to him. It has pleasd Congress to continue me as their Commissioner to the Court of Spain, without making any alteration, that has come...
71To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 3 April 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania A Gentlemen calld on me this moment, who wishes for a Passport to gain him admission into the State of Virginia or any other of the United States. Upon my referring him to you, as the only person in this Country who coud give such a Passport, he informs me that he has already waited on you, & that you referrd him to me. I beg the favor of you to write...
72To 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...
73To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 29 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): National Archives I find that there remain scarce fifty pounds of the funds that were in my hands, & my inevitable expences in quitting this place & returning to my Country, will I apprehend amount to four or five hundred. If the state of the public funds in your disposal will permit you to furnish me with that Sum it will save me from very great difficulties & distress. I have the...
74To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 2 January 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Harvard University Library; two copies and transcript: National Archives Mr. Montieu was informd by us all, that it woud be necessary for him to shew the receits from the Agent Mr. Williams, of the Articles chargd in his Account, before it coud be finally settled. He went down to Nantes where Mr. Williams & his Burau were. Instead of receits specifying the number, colour & condition of...
75To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 27 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society In consequence of what you mentiond to me relative to the german Courts, I consulted the Spanish Ambassador whether it coud be determind with any degree of certainty, how long it woud be before the business I am pledged for with his Court woud require my attendance. His answer was, that it was altogether uncertain. In this situation it appeard to me that...
76To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 8 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): National Archives I have just receivd a Letter from my Brother in Germany informing me of your having written to him, that— “When Capt. Lemaire came over last year & made known here the wants of Virginia, you found three different Merchants of ability, who offerd each of them separately to supply the whole”— I shall be very much obligd to you...
77To Benjamin Franklin from Ralph Izard and Arthur Lee, 6 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania We have been informed that the destination of the Alliance Frigate has been altered, & that she is not to sail immediately for America. We can not help expressing our great uneasiness at this measure, as we are of opinion that there is no service, in which she can be so usefully employed, as that of convoying the Vessels bound thither. Many of our...
78To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 1 November 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. A. Lee presents his Compts. to Dr. Franklin and begs to have the Papers he mentiond to Dr. Franklin, namely Count Vergennes’s Letter, the last Memoire to him, the last Letter to the Committee, and the list of Stores shipt from Marsailles. Mr. L. sends a Newspaper, which Mr. Izard borrowd and desird him to return. Addressed: The Honble / Benjamin Franklin...
79To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 28 May 1777 (Franklin Papers)
Two copies and transcript: National Archives The post in and nothing from you. I therefore shall proceed to Morrow and hope to reach my destination in eight days. The chief purpose for giving Money in my memorial was to pay the Interest of our Loans and Support our funds. I added the paying the Ship we were obliged to build in Holland in lieu of those requested. To these purposes therefore...
80To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 14 August 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copy: National Archives A decent time having now elaps’d, since the declaration of his Catholic Majesty against the King of great Britain; it seems proper to apply to the spanish Court, to know whether they are inclind to enter into the Alliance, which Congress have agreed to. At the same time it appears to me, that to ask Count de...
81To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 5 March 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society I have been desird to stop here which is half way to Madrid, in order to negotiate with more secrecy. There appears more timidity here than with you. What I shall be able to do, I cannot yet determine, but I am told that if I proceed to Madrid it will be likely to prevent the execution of those good intentions there may be towards us. I beg you will write me...
82To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 2 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; ALS (draft): National Archives; copy: Harvard University Library By letters this day from Nantes, I am informd that the Alliance Frigate is mann’d, & ready to sail. Adverse winds still detain the American fleet at Brest with its Convoy. As that Convoy is destind for the french Islands it will of course leave those Vessels which are intended for the United...
83To Benjamin Franklin from Arthur Lee, 26 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
AL : University of Pennsylvania Library Mr. A Lee presents his Compliments to Dr Franklin, & has the honor of enclosing to him one of Mr Schweighauser’s Accounts, which he has found among his Papers. Addressed: The Honble. / Dr. B. Franklin / minister plenepotentiary / of the United States of / America / at / Passy Notation: A Lee 26. March 1779. On the same day Lee sent WTF a dinner...
84To 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...
85To 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...
86To 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...
87To 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...