To John Adams from Ralph Izard, 26 April 1779

From Ralph Izard

Paris 26 April 1779

Dr. Sr.

As I have not been able to procure from Dr. Franklin his reasons in writing for disobeying the order of Congress of 7th May 1778, I have desired Mr. Lee to favour me with a Copy of his Minutes, respecting our conversation on that subject on 12th of January last.1 I enclose them for your perusal, and should be obliged to you if you would attest them. If you find any mistakes, or omissions, you will be so good as to favour me with a state of the conversation. You will be pleased to let Mr. Ford take a Copy of both papers, and return me the originals.2

I enclosed you a Letter two days ago, by the Post, from Holland; it will give me pleasure to learn that it has brought you agreeable news.

I have the honour to be Dr. Sr. Your most obt. hble Servt.

Ra. Izard

RC (Adams Papers); docketed: “Mr Izard Ap. 26. ansd May 13th. 1779.”

1. For this incident, involving Franklin’s refusal to honor drafts of Izard and William Lee, see Izard to the Commissioners, 12 Jan., note 1 (above). The enclosed “Minutes” by Arthur Lee have not been found.

2. JA’s reply of 13 May, in which the “originals” were presumably enclosed, has not been found, but for some indication of its content see Izard’s letter of 21 May (below).

Index Entries

You Are Looking At

Source Project: Adams Papers
Title: To John Adams from Ralph Izard, 26 April 1779
Author: Izard, Ralph
Recipient: Adams, John
Date: 26 April 1779

Reference

Cite as: “To John Adams from Ralph Izard, 26 April 1779,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/06-08-02-0040. [Original source: The Adams Papers, Papers of John Adams, vol. 8, March 1779 – February 1780, ed. Gregg L. Lint, Robert J. Taylor, Richard Alan Reyerson, Celeste Walker, and Joanna M. Revelas. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1989, p. 48.]

More between these correspondents