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;D
OF
WILLIAM LKK,
SHKRIPP AND AI^DKRMAN OF I^ONDON; COMMERCIAL AGENT
OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS IN FRANCE ; AND MIN-
ISTER TO THE COURTS OF VIENNA AND BERLIN.
1766=1783.
COLLECTED AND EDITED BY
WORTHINGTON CHAUNCEY FORD.
VOL. III.
BROOKLYN, N. Y. :
HISTORICAL PRINTING CLUB.
189I.
; 7
:>^
^^t^.
:".r:-^ CO
.A
>
CONTENTS OF VOL. III.
1779.
PAGB
To Samuei* W. Stockton, June 27th 693
The besotted English opposition — Political captains —
Deane's object in revenge — Spain's declarations.
To Benjamin Franki^in, June 27th . . , 695
The contract with D'Acosta & Co. — Wretched quality
of the fusils and bayonets — Articles needed in Virginia.
To Arthur Lee, June 29th 697
LeMaire*s contract in Strasburg — Chaumont and Bean-
marchais — Temple — Spanish declaration — Charges in
America against the Lees — Almost exhausted by draughts
from Virginia — Will he be justified in returning bills?
To Arthur Lee, July 7th 699
Predicted invasion of Virginia — Spain's attitude — Sup-
plies for America — Alarm in England — Carmichael.
To Samuei* W. Stockton, July 8th 700
Fatal eflfects of dissension — Influence of Deane's pub-
lication — ^The combined fleet — America should invade
Britain.
To M. Barthei^EMY, July I2th 703
Spain's decision — Relative strength of the Powers —
Britain's claim to the universal monarchy of the sea— A
possible stroke.
To Ralph Izard, July 12th 706
Jones' expedition no secret — Other matters that have
leaked out — Ford's passage — Intelligence from America
— English affairs — Carmichael.
(Hi)
IV CONTENTS OF VOI*. in.
PAGB
To Arthur Lee, July 14th 709
Fears of England — Plan of campaign — Politics in and
out of Parliament — ^The fleet — Spanish and Portuguese
occurrences — Privateers.
To Rai^ph Izard, July 17th 712
Temple and his mission — Deane*s party in Congress —
Naval matters — Holland intends to maintain her neu-
trality.
Recai,!, op Lee*s commission 715
From James IvOVEi^L, July 17th 721
Informing him of his recall — Need not repair to
America.
To Lebi^anc, July 20th 721
Supposed English commissioners — The enemy must be
attacked in every quarter — The West India fleet — There
will be no peace till British are diubbed.
To Arthur Lee, August 17th 724
A certain set of wretches and their wicked operations
— ^A newspaper paragraph — Transactions of Congress —
Intelligence.
To Rai^ph Izard, August 31st 727
Intentions of Congress unmistakable — Peace proposals
— Movements of the European Powers.
To Baron D'Arendt, August 23d 729
Prussian commerce with America — Expedition to Vir-
ginia — English politics.
To Arthur Lek, September ist 731
Difficult to fix his residence — A commercial engage-
ment — Hall — Alderman beheaded in the Bastille — Prices
of cannon — Intelligence.
To Francis Lightfoot Lee, September 2d 733
Franklin's peace proposition — Naval movements — Ne-
gotiations for peace on foot — Deane's affairs.
CONTENTS OF VOI*. IH. V
PAOB
To Arthur LEK, September 4th. 735
Peace manoeuvres — Reports of a captain— Jones's fleet
— ^The agency of Virginia.
To Arthur Lee, September 12th 737
The arms for Virginia — The brothers in Congress —
End of the naval manoeuvres — ^The Virginia agency.
To THE Committee of Foreign Affairs, September
28th 739
Want of information embarrassing — ^What might have
been gained at Teschen — Delay caused by the attitude of
Spain — His negotiations with Prussia — The mediation of
the King desirable — Strong desire in Prussia to enter
into the American commerce — ^The disposition at Vienna
— In Holland — British ministry favorable to a peace, but
King obstinate — Mercenary troops from Germany.
To Thomas Jefferson, September 28th 745
His appointment as agent — What was done in the com-
mission — Money needed to complete the contracts — His
recall by Congress — Directions for remittances — The
route to Prussia the most open —His efforts to secure a
loan — Defect in the authority — Wishes for harmony at
home.
To Arthur Lee, September 28th 751
Brussels as a residence — Votes on the recall — Conduct
of Dickinson, Smith and Griffin — Return of T. Lee —
Naval intelligence.
To Peter Hassenci,ever, October 2d 755
Advantages to be gained from American commerce —
The port of Embden.
To T. DiGGES, October 7th 757
Intelligence — Prospects of peace — Folly of the
ministry.
To Richard Henry Lee, October 14th 758
Has received official|notice of his recall — Is surprised to
VI CONTENTS OF VOI.. in.
PAOB
be condemned unheard — Recommends a stricter miion
with New England — English fleets safe, and her credit
miimpaired.
To Richard Henry Lee, October 30th 761
Thorn's departure and his training — Want of intelli-
gence from America — ^The sea campaign — The Alliance
and her orders— Jones's conflict with the Serapis — Min-
isters necessary in every country of Europe — Poor pros-
pects of peace — His own situation.
To S. Thorpe, December ist 767
Tenders his resignation as Alderman.
From London Supporters, December 3d 767
Inclosing resolutions of the Ward mote.
To Arthur Lee, December 24th 769
Conjectures as to D'Estaing — Regiments sent to
America — None from Germany— Shipments by Monthieu.
To Deputy Partridge, December 24th ... 771
His resignation — Unprincipled and perfidious arts of
the Ministry — Warring upon liberty.
1780.
To Arthur Lee, January 29th 774
The snufi"-box.
To Richard Henry Lee, February 15th 776
Letters intercepted— Payment of interest stopped by
Congress — Remittances from Virginia — Penet's agency.
To John Adams, March 17th 779
Sentiments on a truce — What must be considered in
the negotiations — Dutch policy.
From John Adams, March 21 st 782
Political conjectures — His arguments on a truce —
Americans in Europe not representative — Will the Dutch
submit to be kicked ? — A rumored alliance.
1
CONTENTS OF VOI*. HI. vH
PAOB
To Samubi, W. Stockton, March 2ist 784
A message to Dickinson — European politics— Jay's
mission to Spain — Occurrences in Holland.
To John Adams, March 30th 787
The Duke of Brunswick — Holland — His instructions —
Best time to make peace is when your enemy wishes for
it
To Arthur Leb, April 9th 790
The Spanish mission — A gazette publication — ^The
Empress of Russia determined to maintain neutrality —
English associations and Ireland — CarmichaePs memoir.
To John Adams, April 9th 794
Importance of his mission — More great men than
great occasions — Mass of people in England putrid and
corrupt.
To Richard Henry Lee, April 13th 796
The declaration of Russia— Management of his estate
—Johnson's success — Disturbed condition of England
and Ireland.
To John Adams, April 25th 799
The campaign in the South — Raving madness of the
ministry — ^Threatening the Dutch.
To Arthur IvEE, April 24th 800
The Alliance — Dumas's letter — European politics.
To John Adams, June 14th 804
News from America — ^The naval campaign — Rioting in
England — ^The Dutch — English credit.
To Arthur Lee, June 23d 808
Caballing for place.
To John Adams, July 8th 809
Clinton's letter — Dumas* connection with the gazettes.
To Samuei. W. Stockton, July 9th 812
The Passy junto— No hope of reform while Franklin
has full power.
vm CONTENTS OF voi.. in.
PAGB
To Arthur Lee, October i8th 813
Capture of Laurens — Results on the ministerial plans
— Portugal — Beware of the Marylanders coming from
England.
To Arthur Lee, October 17th 815
Approval of Clinton's plans — Laurens and Adams — In-
telligence.
To Arthur Lee, November 6th ... 818
Capture of Laurens has disclosed the Dutch treaty —
Searle and his mission — The armed neutrality — meeting
of Parliament — Reinforcements for America — The pro-
posed campaign — News in Europe — Changes in the
French ministry — ^America must rely on her own efforts.
To Richard Henry Lee, December 3d 822
Interrupted correspondence — Orders for the invasion
of Virginia — European affairs — The Spanish negotiation
— Bad condition at Paris — An unaccountable appoint-
ment.
To Arthur Lee, December 6th 826
Laurens' capture and the consequences — Conduct of
the Dutch — A favorable opportunity — What is being done
by the agents — Intelligence — Separation of moneyed and
political transactions — Arnold's treason — The campaign
in the South — Pctrie — Trunibull's imprisonment — Trait-
ors at home — ^The English fleets.
To Arthur Lee, December loth 833
Financial embarrassments of America — Suggests a rem-
edy — Introduction of specie into America — Dcaue in favor
at Passy.
To Baron Schui,knberg, December 28th 837
The military situation in America — Arnold's defection
without serious consequences — ^The movements of the
northern Powers — A complaint on the gazette publica-
tions.
CONTENTS OP VOI,. HI. IX
PAOX
1781.
To THE President OF Congress, February loth.*. . . . 840
No more troops for America— Insidious proposals of
peace.
To THE Marquis de Castries, February nth 841
An apology for writing — Opportunity offered for a
happy stroke — Intercepting the British fleet
To Richard Henry Lee, February 2olh S43
Payment of the salary due him — An estimate of the
balance — No attention paid to his letters — Effort to con-
quer the South — No more troops to be sent over — Fleet
movements — British declaration of war against the Dutch
— Emperor to remain neuter.
To Richard Henry Lee, April 13th 849
His accounts for Congress — Intelligence must have
come to hand — Bills plentiful in America — Mismanage-
ment from Passy — The ship Marquis de La/ayetle^-B\3b'
ble of credit in England.
1782.
To Frncis Lightfoot Lee, February 12th 852
No letter in four years — Money matters — Directions for
Green Spring.
To Richard Henry Lee, March nth 855
Conway's motion — Nation anxious for peace — Does not
expect peace within a year.
To THE Secretary of Foreign Affairs, March 31st . . 856
Change in the English ministry — Lord Shelbnme un-
friendly to America — Departure of Carleton— Emperor
said to be ready to negotiate — Products of the country —
Hints as to a minister — A breach of the Yorktown capitu-
lation.
To Samuei* Thorpe, June i8th 859
A general peace — Trade with America — Private busi-
ness — Corporation and court.
X CONTENTS OF VOI,. HI.
PAOB
To Richard Henry Lee, June 226. 863
Remittances from Virginia — Education in Virginia —
Taxes and revenues in bad hands.
To Arthur Lee, July 19th 864
Payment of his salarj- — Nothing to be expected from
Franklin — The affairs of DeBerdt & Co — Money loaned
to Clonard.
To Richard Henry Lee, July 29th 867
No prospect for peace with in the year — Arnold in favor
— The new administration— The want of men aud money
will alone prevent a continuance of war — Plan of cam-
paign — Sir James Jay — Rumors of negotiations.
To Samuel Thorpe, August 27th 872
The stamp duty — Has made him executor of his will
— As to debts due him — Business matters.
To Arthur Lee, August 30th 875
Franklin's letter — Difficulty in getting his pay— De-
mands immediate payment.
To Richard Henry Lee, October ist 877
Demands against the estate of P. L. Lee — His claims.
To Richard Henry Lee, October ist 879
Tobacco sales from his estate — Education of his sons in
Virginia — Matters in Europe.
To Benjamin Franklin, October 7th 881
Encloses an order directing the payment of his salary
— Has drawn notes.
Prom Benjamin Frankun, October 21st 882
Accepts the notes, but trusts they will not be placed
where they will go to protest.
To Arthur Lee, October 25th ... 883
The loan to Clonard — Money matters.
To Arthur Lee, October 26th 885
Formal acknowledgment of American independence by
eONTBNTS OF VOL. in. XI
PAOB
the British king — ^The affairs of Dr. Berdt — Pajmient of
his salary — Adams wishes to be minister to England —
Appointment of Temple Franklin.
To Benjamin Franklin, November 12th 888
Sarcastic letter on the payment of his salary.
To Arthur Lkk, November 20th. . # 889
Franklin's assumed ignorance of his whereabouts —
Morris's Trick — What America should do— Shelbume's
position — Losses of Paradise.
To Richard Henry Lee, November 22d 892
Monroe — Difficulties of corresponding— Black work in
the Paris negotiations — Laurens — Prospect of peace.
To W11.LIAM Dolman, November 20th 895
His aunt's property — What is recommended.
To Arthur Lee, December 17th 899
British ministry on peace negotiations — England
totally exhausted — Stock jobbing by Americans — Euro-
pean matters — Franklin's sovereigjn will.
To Henry Laurens, December 24th 903
Anonymous charges — Wishes the name of his informant.
To Henry Laurens, December 25th 904
Importance of discovering the writer of the letter.
1783.
To WiLUAM Bridgbn, January 3d 905
The anonymous letter — Indignant that he should be
thought the author — Demands a full explanation.
To Henry Laurens, January 3d 907
His letter to Bridgen — Is surprised to find himself im-
plicated — Adams's supposition.
To Thomas Barclay, January 9th 908
Advertisement as agent of Virginia — ^Warnings against
a former agent — ^Wishes the name.
XU CONTENTS OF VOL. HI.
PAOB
To Henry Laurens, January 14th 910
The anonymous letter — Vigorous language on the sub-
ject — Envy — Bridgen's answer.
To Edward Bridgen, January 17th 913
Frank acknowledgment of his error — ^Wishes him to
write to Mr. Laurens— Why his reasons should not have
been accepted.
To Samuei* Thorpe, January 17th 915
Franklin's certificate in favor of Deane — A suggested
reply — The doctor will probably be protected — A general
peace.
To Samuel Thorpe, January 24th 917
Congratulations on the peace — Knavishness of Lord
North.
To Thomas Barclay, February 2d 918
Cessation of hostilities — His advertisement — An al-
leged agent.
To Samuel Thorpe, February nth 920
Senatorial madness — Trade bills — The Quebec mer-
chants.
To Samuel W. Stockton, February loth 921
His illness — Felicitations on the near approach of peace
— What remains for America to do — A navy — Deane and
his patrons — America indebted to no other power for peace.
To Arthur Lee, February loth 923
Peace — Not indebted to Louis XVI. — Connections of
Deane unbroken— Intriguing for the appointment to Lon-
don—Political system of Europe — Diplomatic matters.
To Richard Henry Lee, February i ith 927
What policy America must pursue.
To Arthur Lee, February 24th 928
Expects to embark in May — ^Tobacco and goose feath-
ers — Address to the king on the preliminaries of peace —
CONTENTS OF VOI,. III. Xlll
PAOB
Debate in I^arliatnent— Jenings — Russia and Sweden —
The emperor and America.
To John Adams, March 9th 931
Should not rush into commercial treaties — Opposite
|>olicy of Congress and its possible origin — Dana and his
negotiations — Sweden.
To WiLWAM Pitt, March 14th 933
Criticism of his trade bills — ^All former privileges should
be restored to Americans — Citizens rather than subjects —
His suggestions are unofficial.
To John Adams, March 27th • . 939
Checking the intrigues of Franklin — The doctor's su-
perlative modesty — Nothing due to France on the score
of gratitude — Plot of the king of Spain — Intrigues in
England on commercial bills.
To Arthur Lek, April 2d 939
Vote of Parliament on peace negotiations — Resignation
of Shelbume — Every thing at a stand — Suggested Ameri-
can diplomatic appointments — Political.
To Samuei, Thorps, April nth 941
Halcyon days for the north — Will not visit England.
To John Adams, April 24th 943
Apprehensive that America has lost the opportunity for
a commercial connection with England — The new ministry
— Samuel Adams — Franklin — About to sail for America.
To Arthur Lee, June 22d 945
Hopes to sail in ten days — Business matters — ^Affairs of
Europe.
On Robert Morris 947
Wixx OF Wii.i,iam Lee 949
1774.
From Lord Chatham, September 24th 963
Index.
TO SAMUEL W. STOCKTON.
Frankfort, 27 June, 1779.
I wrote to you the 24th with some letters for
America, all under cover to M'". D. N.,* and last
post, the 25th, bro't me your favor of the 21st.,
which informs me of j'our design of going in y? Vir-
ginia pilot boat being changed. You would surely
have found a welcome reception in America, had
you been the bearer of the news of the declaration
of Spain, which as I told you before, would not
rouse our enemies from their lethargy and from
their thirst of gorging themselves with American
blood. The opposition in England seems as much
besotted as the King and his ministers. Indeed
the wickedness, y^ villainy, and profligacy of these
People seem to surpass those of Sodom and Gomor-
rah ; however, it will certainly be of use to carry as
quickly as possible to America y^ Parliamentary
debates, and the Revolutions of Sweden, by Sheri-
dan, should now be read with attention by every
man who has anything to do with public affairs in
our countr)'. I am not at all surprised that the
captains in the service of a certain house in Phila-
delphia, t should be impregnated with y*. heat that
has been created in America by Mr. Deane and his
* Dc Neufville. f Robert Morris.
(693)
6W
partisans* tor ic i^ct y^ bcsness iUES totai^T
firoin its cfrigizisl appearance. The issce is cot now,
whether Mr. Deaxse shall ^Int his peisaoal renge-
ance a^;aicst whom be looked oc as v'. principal
causes of his not returning with charte-hlanche as
minister Plenipotentiary to Holland^ and General
Commercial agent and Director over all Enrope;
hut whether those who have fingered more than
half y^ amazing number of millions i^Mr. Deanc
savs about one hundred » that America now stands
indebted, shall escape scot free, and without ren-
dering any account — ^Mr. Deane« for many millions
received in France, and his chief patron in Phila-
delphia for ten times as many millions received by
him in America. Of course this enormous sum of
money must have procured y^ Principals many
advocates and defendants: however, I can^t help
having many apprehensions, that these unhappy
circumstances will be attended with most &tal con-
sequences this year to our Country, for you do not
say one word about measures taken to provide
against this campaign, and against the horrid In-
dian war. The Spanish declaration having come
so late, all y^ force that our enemies have, will for
this campaign at least, be employed against us
alone. I have seen in y^ Virginia Gazette, in
March, a very full reply to Mr. Deane^s charges
against my brother and me, under the signature of
Detector, the writer I know not, and am told that
695
there have been many satisfactory replies in y^
Pennsylvania Papers which I have not seen. * * *
TO BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.
Frankfort, 27 June, 1779.
Sir:
By the letter 3'ou did me the honor to write to me
y* 17th inst, I perceive you are still under a mis-
take relative to the contract made with D' Acosta &
Co. There never was to mj' knowledge any con-
tract made with that house for the same things
that I requested you to apply for to the French
Ministry on account of the State of Virginia.
D'Acosta & Co contracted to send some thousand
fusils and other trifling articles for the State of
Virginia, which they expressly stipulated to ship
from France before the end of last September;
otherwise the contract was to be entirely void.
This house failed to comply with their contract,
and even without making any apology or giving
any reason for so doing, which I have since tho't
a most fortunate circumstance, not only for the
State of Virginia, but indeed for America, having
authentic information that within the course of 12
months past many thousand fusils have been sent
out from Leige to a clerk of that house, many of
them of so base a quality as to cost only seven
livres, the fusil and bayonet. In my judgment it
696
is an unpardonable cruelty to put such implements
into the hands of brave men, who are not only
fighting for their own lives, but in the defence of
the liberties of their country. The most important
part of the supplies that the French ministry are
requested to furnish for the State of Virginia are
the cannon, howitzers, powder, mortars, ball and
shells, none of which have ever been contracted for
with any one, and if they should be sent to Boston
or Charlestown for Congress, they cannot be of any
more use to Virginia while the War continues and
the enemy have the superiority in the American
seas, than if they were in France, and as the prin-
cipal military operations this year will most likely
be in the southern States, there is much reason to
apprehend that the want of good fusils will be
severely felt in that quarter. I therefore hope you
will endeavor to get the supplies requested sent to
Virginia as soon as possible, since they may even
now be got there before the campaign is ended.
In doing this you will certainly render an essential
service to the common cause, and highly oblige
him who has the honor to be with very great re-
spect. Sir, &c.*
* When the application of Virginia was first made, WiUiam
Lee being absent, Franklin found three merchants of standing,
each of whom was willing to fill the entire order. But two
withdrew their offers when they learned that Arthur Lee was
concerned, and the third was not given the contract Lemaire
697
TO ARTHUR LEE.
F T, 29 June, 1779.
You have enclosed Gov. Henry's letters of i & 22
Dec*: '77, & 3 Mar. 1778, all by Capt. Le Maire.
W. L. to Dr. F. of 30 Mar., and 27 June '79. Dr.
F. to W. L. 30 Mar. & 2 April, '79. There can be
no doubt of a stab being intended, and that both
are y1 objects. The same thrust is to kill us both,
and I have had so little share in the business, that
I do not know what defence to prepare; therefore,
shall wait till I see farther what is done. 'Tis
probable Le M. will be the conveyer as well as the
administrator of the poison. I have mentioned to
you often what I tho't extremely reprehensible in
his conduct about the contract at Strasburg, which
is all I know about him. I have no papers or let-
ters of any kind relative to C — t, nor ever had, ex-
cept copys of the two notes for ;^20,ooo and £2Pr
000. A gentleman here told me that Ch[aumon]t
abused Beau s to him in the grossest terms; if
these two fall out, 'tis better to let them alone in ex-
posing each other. No notice having been hitherto
taken of a joint letter to Izard and A. Lee^ I shall
was sent over Germany to look for credit and goods, quarreUed
with Lee, who finally agreed with Penet and D'Acosta for the
articles, and fell again into disputes with these merchants.
Franklin to Governor Henry ^ 26 February, 1779, and to Wil-
Ham Lee^ 2 April, 1779. In the Virginia State Papers will be
found much relating to I^maire's mission.
698
mention it this day to Izard. Mr. Juo. Temple is
expected every day in an armed Brig from Boston.
He had been at Congress, therefore 'tis probable he
brings despatches. The Spanish declaration so far
as words go is rather against than for the United
States of America, since they are still called the K.
of G. B — n's colonies. We send yon our love.
P. S. This moment received yours of 23. Your
inclosures answer the most material parts. The
charges in America seem now to be more against
W. Lee than A. Lee^ of whom Adams does not
seem to have said anything. However I am glad
you have found in time that my judgment about
his conduct and designs was not wrong. What 172
has said appears to me suflBcient ; for my own part
I shall never be ashamed or afraid of the real truth
being publickly known ; but there is no occasion
to gratify the vile Junto, by telling them the fact
I am almost exhausted by drafts from Virginia for
payment of old scores, while sterling debts due to
me are pay'd off in paper, the exchange being now
10 for one. If I go on I shall not have one shilling
left here. Necessity will therefore compel me to
stop my hand; however, I could wish you would in
conversation mention this to Izard^ and ask him if
he does not think I shall be fully excuseable, both
in justice as well as law, to send the Virginia bills
back as they come. Most of the debts due to me
were by contract to be repay'd in sterling money in
699
London, clear of all charges or deductions whatso-
ever. . . .
TO ARTHUR LEE.
7 July, [1779-]
My dear Brother:
I wait with impatience to receive the bills I
wrote for in mine of the 25th ulto., as the money
is now wanted. I pray you therefore not to delay
sending it to me.
You may remember I told you in Paris in March,
that the Invasion of Virginia was intended, which
a friend of ours would not believe, because I was
not at liberty to tell from whence I had the infor-
mation; but what is surprising, a letter I put into
the Po: office there, giving advice of this to go to
Virginia by the way of Nantes, was never for-
warded. The declaration of Spain is strangely
worded at this stage of the business; tho' the
present shyness may be accounted for, as America
is bound by the separate articles, while Spain is to-
tally at liberty. There may be also other motives
which time must clear up, but I think you should
try every means to get an authentic copy of the ul-
timatum that was rejected by Great Britain^ which
will prove the true design of Spain.
Mathew's expedition was surely intended to favor
the operations of Prevost. The mischief to indi-
viduals is considerable, but I am inclined to think
700
it will ultimately be of service to the general
cause.
Mr. Temple must surely have given you a full
account of the state of ever>' thing in America, and
I shall be happy to hear that they have not forgot to
take proper measures for this year's operations.
It is very possible that all the supplies will fall into
the enemies hands, for the Capt. is among the un-
lucky ones; but had they been in the country, they
might have shared the fate of those at Portsmouth,
where it does not appear they had anybody to
take care of them.
Sir G. Collier may be a good seaman, but his
letter does not show him to be much of an oflScer,
or to be overburthend with sense or judgment.
The alarm in England is great, and thro' all
their blustering you may see a great deal of fear, if
the combin'd fleets do not trifle their time away,
but quickly advance and destroy Portsmouth and
Plymouth docks with ease. Carmichael is I sup-
pose coming to fill his snug post of S[ecretar]y,
while Du[ma]s and ii, are both eyeing a residency
in Holland, Our best compliments attend Mr.
Iz[ar]d and his good family, and our love is with
you. Adieu
(No signature.)*
♦Addressed to "HonWe Arthur Lee, Esqr &c., &c., Hotel
d'Espagne, Rue Guinejs^aud, & Paris."
70I
TO SAMUEL W. STOCKTON.
Frankfort, 8 Jui,y, 1779.
Dear Sir:
I have now before me your favor of the 30th ulto.
My last of July ist. will show you that I do not
take amiss an open and candid letter. The Eng-
lish proverb is a good one, **that nobody can tell
better where the shoe pinches but he that wears
it." The trials I have had for two years past are
rather too much for a temper naturally quick, and
for one that feels for liberty and his country as I
do. The intrigues and practices that I found at
Paris, and which instead of decreasing have since
spread wider, 'till at last they seem to threaten the
existence of our countrj' as a free and independant
nation, have left me few peaceable or calm and
temperate moments. But enough of self. "Speak
of me as I am; nothing extenuate, nor set down
aught in malice. I have done the state some ser-
vice; and they know it" Mr. Temple must surely
have brought some later intelligence from C[on-
gressj than you mention about Mr. D[eane]; for
that you know I mentioned to you above a month
ago. The fatal eflFects of the dissensions now begin
to appear. As you know I mentioned to you in the
beginning, I do not hear of any preparations for
this campaign, while the Enemy, tho' considerably
weaker than they have been for 3 years past, are
almost unopposed, making ravages over the conti-
702
nent. Nothing yet from Berlin, It cannot be
expected that the powers in Europe will be in a
hurry to form connections with u^, while they see
the consequences of Mr. D's publication and some
subsequent affairs, in the g^eat advancement of the
enemies forces. You no doubt have seen the Lon-
don Gazette with the accounts of the invasion of
Virginia. What the enemy have done is of little
consequence, only that it is a good station as long
as they can keep it for obstructing the whole trade
of Virginia and Maryland. The French and Span-
ish fleets are joined, but what will be their opera-
tions we do not know. A little fleet of 7 sail un-
der American colors, commanded by Commodore
Jones, about 200 guns and near 1500 men in the
whole, were seen the 20th. ulto, in the Bay of Bis-
cay, opposite the mouth of the Garonne, which
leads to Bordeaux. We shall soon, I suppose, hear
something of its operations, which I wish may be
in the flames of Glasgow. America should act like
Rome who, leaving Annibal and his victorious
army in Italy, sent Scipio to fight their enemies at
the gates of Carthage. I am clearly for an invasion
of G. B., and leaving Clinton and his savage allies
to do what they can in the meantime in America,
The thing is certainly practicable if men would but
accustom themselves to look at it calmly; therefore,
I hope you will make it a subject of general con-
versation when you get over. If you learn any-
703
thing comfortable from the gentlemen lately ar-
rived from America relative to the general capacity
and preparations for defence and offence this cam-
paign, I beg you to let me know it. Clinton can-
not now have at N. Y. more than 5000 effective
men; what an opportunity then is there for general
Washington to make an attempt on that nest of
Pirates. Mr. Carmichael is, it seems, expected in
France every day, as he was to sail some time in
May. What post he comes to fill we do not hear.
TO M. BARTHEI.EMY.
Frankfort, 12 July, 1779.
I have had the pleasure, my dear sir, of receiv-
ing the letter you did me the honor of writing to
me the ist. of this month, and congratulate his
Excellency that he did not suffer very materially by
the explosion of the powder magazine near him,
which I see by the Gazettes did a great deal of mis-
chief. How much better would it have been, had
the contents of this magazine been safely lodged in
the possession of our friends in America.
I rejoice heartily with you at the decision of
Spain, which gives us a right to expect a success-
ful end of our dispute with Great Britain ; but as I
never like to flatter myself too much with the
prospect of advantages for fear of being disap-
TQ4
pointed^ my opinion is^ that the most decided and
united efibrts of France^ Spain and America should
be exerted to reason. Bv the American war their
funds have been pretty well exhausted, but they
ha\*e this advantage^ that their troops and navy are
in full practice^ while France and Spain come into
the field at\er a long idle peace^ which always
makes both soldiers and sailors a little rusty:
therefore if our joint enemy should unexpectedly
gain some advantages in the beginning, it will not
discourage me in the least; notwithstanding the
phrenzy for privateering among our enemies which
trains a number of seamen for their navy, yet I
know the resources both for men and money in
France and Spain are infinitely greater than in
Great Britain.
Reflecting on that period of history when Louis
the 14th invaded Holland by the intrigues of the
Stadtholder. almost all Europe was combined in a
league against France* as if her king was attempt-
ing at uni\'ersal Monarchy ; I am astonished to see
that now when G« Britain insolently and loudly
claims the uni\XTsal monarchy of the sea* all the
maritime States of Eun>pe sit still and leave
France and Spain to contend for a freedom of
navigating the open seas* in which all those
powers are as much interested as France or Spain.
Can \x>u tell me to what causes such extraordinary
apathy and unconcern in the maritime states of
^
70S
Europe are to be ascribed? 'Tis but the other day
an Austrian merchant vessel bound to Ostend, was
boarded by the crew of an English privateer, who
robbed the Austrian vessel of sundry articles and
beat the Flemings because they had not more good
things on board their vessel. This is a fact that
can be easily proved at Ostend.
You are pleased to say that you have nothing to
tell me from the country where you are;* I did
suppose that after the declaration of Spain, the dis-
position of the good people where you are would
have become more favorable to America. How-
ever, we must wait with patience, for I cannot
suppose they will continue much longer blind to
their own interest. By this moment some great
blow may be struck, if 'tis against the fleet of Sir
Charles Hardy. I cannot help flattering myself
that it will prove a coup de grace to the naval
power of our enemies— in the pleasing contempla-
tion of so fortunate a circumstance, I have the
pleasure to assure you of my most perfect esteem
and friendship.
* Barthelemy was at Vienna.
7o6
TO RAI.PH IZARD.
Frankfort, 12 July, 1779.
Dear Sir:
I have had the pleasure of receiving your oblig-
ing letter of the 2d., and thank you for the copy of
Mr. Wharton's letter, tho' until that gentleman
mentioned the subject to me I never knew that
fertile geniuses among their other inventions had
dubbed me with the title of stock jobber. How-
ever great a secret the fitting out and destination
of Commodore Jones' squadron may have been to
you, I see by a letter from Edinburg, the 15th of
June, that the whole was no secret there. One 64
gun ship with the squadron, would certainly en-
able it, if so designed, to settle the business easily
in Georgia, Carolina, and Virginia. What Gen-
eral Lincoln is about I can't tell, but this seems
clear to me, that if he does not attack Prevost,
Prevost will attack him, and he that begins the
attack, almost always gains the advantage. The
refusal of a passage to Mr. F[or]d* is of a piece
with sending an express from 16 to 12 in the be-
ginning of March just before W. Lee got to Paris
with advice of 61 being recalled &c without letting
Izard or A. Lee know anything of it. This
arrived at 12 in a short time. These and similar
* Rev. Hezeltiah Ford, who had served as Arthur Lee's secre-
tary. Serious charges were made against his loyalty from
Virginia.
^o^
facts should be well noted, as they may be of use
at one time or another. I told you before that the
conduct of Spain was inexplicable to me ; it may
be found out in the recesses of Passy. I wish most
heartily that America was out of the scrape. Mr.
Stockton will escape Sir George Collier, as he goes
in an armed brig to Boston. I wish Mr. Ford
stood as good a chance, tho' in a small vessel he
may escape if he gets into the capes at night.
Pray tell me if my first defence went by him on
the Chevalier de Luzerne. I wish the same game
may not be continued in 28 Congress. I wrote to
M. de M[ar]b[oi]s inclosing some letters of intro-
duction, to which he never gave any answer.
By this time, I suppose, you must have had from
Mr. Temple a full account of the situation of affairs
in America, tho' my letters from Holland do not
mention whether he is bound to Paris or London;
he is said to have been much on the reserve, and
to speak very little on public affairs, which of
course you know will make warm spirits conjecture
a great deal, tho' I rather conclude that there was
not a great deal material to say. The New York
papers mention a great deal of mischief done by
the Indians, whom they call their good allies, and
that Clinton has taken the field, which I do not
believe, as he can't have more than 5000 effective
men, and leaving N. Y. &c. nearly defenceless.
We are all impatience to hear of the movements of
7o8
the combined fleets, tho' few people will believe
that an invasion is really intended, notwithstand-
ing all the noise and talk about it You will see by
the papers what general terror there is in England,
where nobody seems to have acted a consistent part
but the city of London. You must allow that the
Duke of Richmond has improved in brass^ if noth-
ing else, from the lectures of his tutor, Gov. John-
stone. He says that after their money is all gone,
they may learn from America what can be done
with paper. Can his head be so thick as not to
know that they have been supported by paper these
50 years past, and that at this moment their specie
does not bear so high a proportion to their circula-
tion as one to a hundred? How much farther they
will be able to stretch this string before 'tis snap'd,
will be proved in a year or two more.
When you have any important news, we hope
to hear from you, as 'tis hardly possible that this
summer can pass away without some important
events taking place, and of this, I think, we may
be most certain, that unless the British possessions
are attacked with vigor this summer, in the winter
and spring they will attempt some bold desperate
stroke against the possessions of France or Spain;
for as LM Chatham by a trope conquered Canada
in Germany, so his grace of Richmond must trope
also and conquer America in France and Spain.
I fancy Carmichael is coming to enjoy his snug
709
post of secretary at Passy^ but I shall be much
mistaken if he stirs from where he is until Deane^s
affairs are determined, which I wish was done, let
the issue be what it will. For the time alreadj"
wasted on such a worthless subject will cost Amer-
ica many, many millions of money, and many,
many innocent lives. Your next will tell me, I
expect, of the proper advances having been made
by Spain; if there are not, don't you think that -4.
Lee should write there? but if he does, I am of
opinion he ought first to consult Vergennes and act
by his advice. Such a step with 164 will please
him better if done verbally than by letter. . . .
TO ARTHUR LEE.
Frankfort, 14 July, 1779.
The packet boats from Dover to Calais were
stopped last month, and two French mails then
due if sent over to Dover, are to be return' d back
to Calais (that is, I suppose after the letters have
been examined); by the way of Ostend your letters
and newspapers from London will be a day later
than before. The English ministry and people
seem to be terribly frightened, and know not well
what to do. Wedderburne says peace must be
won by conquests abroad, and hints that America
must still be the prime object, where the plan of
Clinton seems to be to amuse Washington by prep-
7IO
arations and attempts 'till he gets his reinforce-
ments, thati to attempt at securing the whole
North river from N. Y. to Albany. Prevost and
Mathews are to be employed in making diversions
as well as they are able, to prevent any aid being
given to Washington from the southern states.
Two British regiments are sent from New York as
a reinforcement to Mathews. If the North river
can be secured, the latter end of this campaign and
the next, the great force is to be turned against
the four eastern states. This is the plan against
America. Orders are already sent to attack the
Manilas. The opposition in Parliament have out-
run the Ministry in delivering up everything un-
conditionally to the Crown, and a bill of Lord
North's for doubling the Militia, thrown out as to
that point by the Lords ; among whom were the
opposition and most of the Bedford party. So that
Lord North seems to totter and the opposition
seems to be in hopes of catching a crumb or two.
Rutland, Derby and Ancaster have offered to raise
regiments. They were insulted at the first offer,
but they seem to be in a way to accomplish their
point. The Common Council of London seem to
be the only consistent body in the Kingdom.
They agreed to address the King, which was little
more, when drawn up, than telling him in plain
terms what a wretch he was, and how wicked his
ministers were, and that they ought to be imme-
diately dismissed. Afterwards they agreed not to
address, and not to open a subscription in the
chamber to give bounties to seamen and soldiers.
Sir Charles Hardy's fleet is to be augmented
vith ten ships of the line, which from appearance
will join him before there is any movement from
Comnna; his fleet has already taken some prizes
off Brest and Belle Isle, among them a Virginia
boat of 60 tons, Capt. I^uner commander, with
goods from Nantes, bound to Virginia, I hope
this is not Mr. Ford's vessel. The fleet from the
Streights and Portugal of 30 vessels are all arrived
safe, and the 10 Bast-Indiamen, expected now
every day, I suppose will do the same. A very
large fleet from the West Indies are expected from
the ist to the 20 August. The N. Y. Gazette has
made hearsay of Lincoln's being totally defeated
and driven from Parisbui^; but this with other
absurdities seems to me to be coin'd in England to
keep up their spirits. I expected by this time to
have heard from you what Mr. Temple brought
from America, for surely he must have wrote to
you or Dr F — n. A passenger in the same vessel
says that people's eyes in America began to be
opened with respect to the conduct of Mr. Deane.
If yon have not yet, I presume you soon will
hear something from Spain. If the great line is
not pursued and Jamaica not attacked, surely from
the Havannah an expedition to St Augustine and
712
Georgia should take place. The paper will tell
you that Sir J. Yorke has made a demand of the
States General for the succors stipulated by treaty.
I have no doubt of their being refused. British
cruizers are prohibited from staying more than six
days with the prizes they take in the Portuguese
ports; they should not be permitted to enter at all.
I wish the French ministry would be made sensible
of the mischiefs that arise from their privateers
ransoming almost all the prizes they take, by which
our enemies have almost double the number of
sailors prisoners that France has, and if the priva-
teer is taken, the ransomers being on board, the
whole profit of the cruize is lost. Some French
privateers have been taken with loor 12 ransomers
on board. The American privateers are also ex-
tremely wrong in discharging their prisoners gratis,
while their countrymen are dying in the English
jails for want of being exchanged.
TO RAI.PH IZARD.
Frankfort, 17 July, 1779.
I wrote to you the 12th; since then I find that
two other vessels from Boston have arrived at Am-
sterdam. They sailed the latter end of May, for
they bring papers of the 27th of that month, in
which there is nothing materially new, except ac-
counts of some horrid ravages by the Indians on
713
the frontiers of Pennsylvania and New York. Mr.
T[em]ple is gone to Spa. The passengers that
came with him think he has not any regular com-
mission, but that he expects to meet at Spa with
some person of consequence from England to con-
fer on American affairs. If this conjecture is well
founded, it will in my opinion be highly injurious
to America; for our enemies are so thoroughly
faithless and perfectly wicked, that they never
should be treated with but in open conference.
These private and underhand conferences only give
them opportunities of learning how they may more
effectually pursue their infernal plan of seduction
and propagating fatal divisions.
This is the state these gentlemen give of Mr.
D ne's party in Congress. The Delegates of the
4 Eastern States (who know him best) in general
against him; Pennsylvania divided; Maryland for
D. ; Virginia divided; N. Carolina for D; S? Caro-
lina divided; Georgia, for D. My first short reply
to Mr. D. sent from hence via H*? in February, is
arrived in B[osto]n.
The packet from Dover to Calais being stopped,
you perhaps have not yet got into the method of
having the English papers by the way of Ostend.
An express sloop is arrived at Portsmouth that left
Byron at St. Lucia May 14th. Government has
had published everything, but it seems fair to con-
jecture that D'Estaing has had some advantage, for
714
the captain of the sloop says that after the two fleets
liad cannonaded each other for some time without
any material damage on either side, the two fleets
returned to their respective ports, Byron to St
Lucia, and D'Estaing to Port Royal.
A 14-gun sloop, the St Helene, politely set out
of Brest the latter end of last month, found her
way into Sir Charles Hardy's fleet and carried with
her some of tlie French signals and advice of the
Spanish force that had joined Count D'Orvilliers
at Ferrol; on which Sir Charles returned to Tor-
bay for reinforcements, where it is supposed by this
time ten other ships of the line have joined him;
so that his force may be now 40 ships of the line.
If he remains there, it is a fine place for such a
genius as De Ruyter or Heemskirk, commanding
the united fleets, to give a finishing blow to the
naval power of Great Britain, Letters from Hol-
land say that the States are determined to maintain
strict neutrality, notwithstanding the demands of
our enemies for succor, and the urgent endeavors
of the Prihce of Orange and his party to engage
them in war. Amsterdam continues as firm as a
rock with us.* . . .
* " I bear that our haugbtf Mid imperions enemies, the Brit-
ish nfttion, have demanded assistance from your States, to
enable them to continue the War that they have began against
Prance, Spain and America. This demand I have no donld
will be refused, as it is quite clear to «J1 the world that tbej
715
RECALL OF LEE'S CX)M MISSION.
Congress had appointed a committee composed of a
member from each state, to take into consideration the
foreign affairs of the United States, and the conduct of
the late commissioners. The members were Whipple,
Gerry, EUery, Ellsworth, Duane, Fell, Searle, McKean,
Paca. M. Smith, Burke and Laurens. Their report, as
presented on the 15th of April, gave the following con-
clusions : —
1. That the commissions of Franklin, Arthur and
William Lee and Izard were in force.
2. that ministers plenipotentiary should be sent only
to Versailles and Madrid.
3. that complaints had been made against the com-
missioners, and of Deane's political and commercial
conduct.
4. that suspicions and animosities had arisen among
the commissioners, which may be highly prejudical to
the honor and interests of these United States.
5. that the appointments existing be vacated, and
new appointments made.
6. that only one plenipotentiary minister or commis-
sioner be at a foreign court.
have wantonly made the attack on Prance and Spain, therefore
they can't have any right from the treaties to ask for aid; and
besides, if they had a right, they have very lately told you
about your ships, that they would not regard any treaties they
made with you but such as they found were for their interest
or convenience. The English ministry should now have the
same answer returned to them." William Lee to J, de Neuf-
vilU & Son, 18 July, 1779.
7x6
7th. that no such representative exercise any other
public oflSce while serving.
8. that the appointed officer shall be a citizen of the
United States, and have a fixed and permanent interest
therein.
9. that proper persons be appointed to settle accounts
in Europe of American officials, and
10. that a certain salary be appointed for each repre-
sentative.
The first and second paragraphs were adopted with
little question. When the fourth was reached, Meri-
wether Smith, seconded by Carmichael, wished to strike
out the words *' which may be.'* Five days later a
vote was taken on this motion, and the words were
struck out, only two members (Ellery and Spencer)
voting against it, and no state. The paragraph was
then taken up in part, and, on the motion of Duane,
seconded by Gerry, the words **late and present*'
were substituted for the word **said," making it read
**that suspicions and animosities have arisen among
the late and present commissioners." Gerry, sup-
ported by Muhlenberg, wished to make a further
alteration, so as to read ^^ some of the late and present
commissioners,'* but the States were equally divided in
the vote. To secure delay, R. H. Lee moved to post-
pone the 4th article until the 5th had been passed upon;
but the States again were equally divided. Duane,
with Morris, then wished the names of the commission-
ers to be inserted, the sense of the house being upon
each name, and this suggestion met with favor.
Franklin's name was inserted without question, but in
717
every other instance the yea and nay votes were re-
corded, on demand of Meriwether Smith. The votes
were almost unanimous for inserting the names of
Deane. Arthur and William I^ee, and Ralph Izard,
only two or three negatives being given — and EUery
and Searle voting no steadily. A proposition to insert
the name of John Adams was rejected, New Hamp-
shire, Maryland and Virginia giving their votes in its
favor, while Massachusetts and Rhode Island being
lost by division. The first clause reading **that sus-
picions and animosities have arisen among the late and
present commissioners, namely. Dr. Benjamin Frank-
lin, Mr. Silas Deane, Mr. Arthur Lee, Mr. Ralph Izard
and Mr. William Lee '* was adopted — only the votes of
Whipple and Armstrong (Pa), being thrown against
it. The second clause — ** highly prejudicial to the
honor and interest of these United States*' — did not fare
so well, for New Hampshire and Pennsylvania were
against it, and the influence of South Carolina was lost
by division. In no case do the votes give any indica-
tion of the division of party in Congress.
On the fifth clause the question of recalling each
minister was put, and here the feeling aroused was
strong and of some definiteness. Franklin's name was
first on the list. Virginia and North Carolina voted
to recall ; Connecticut and New Jersey lost their votes.
Gerry (Mass.) G. Morris (N. Y.) Paca (Md.), Smith,
Griffin, and Nelson (Va.) and Penn and Burke (No.
Ca.) voted for his recall. This was a trial vote, but it
was plain that the unanimity was only apparent, for
Congress was torn by faction, and the foreign affairs
7i8
were a center of activity, as was the Arnold. The vote
on Franklin was taken April 22d. On the 30th Paca
laid before the house a paper, signed by himself and
by W. H. Drayton, containing intelligence respecting
Arthur Lee. This was done after the question of re-
calling Lee had been stated, and contained a very
sharp arraignment of Lee on the ground that he was
not trusted by the Court of France, and it would there-
fore be highly improper to continue him as one of the
commissioners to negotiate a general peace. On the
following Monday (May 3d) Carmichael rose, and pre-
sented to the house in writing his statement of the
situation in Europe, after which the question of recall-
ing Lee was put, and the States equally divided. New
Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut and New
Jersey, voted against a recall ; New York, Maryland,
Virginia and North Carolina in its favor ; and Rhode
Island, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and South Carolina
were lost by divisions. As the vote for recall may be
regarded as a fair indication of what members were
hostile to Lee, their names may be given : Gerry
(Mass); Collins (R. I), Jay, Duane, G. Morris and
Floyd (N. Y); Fell, (N. J); Atlee, Muhlenberg and
Wynkoop (Pa); Dickinson (Del); Paca, Carmichael
and Henry (Md); M. Smith, Griffin and Fleming (Va);
Penn, Burke and Sharpe (No. Ca.); and Drayton, (S.
Ca). Fifteen members voted against a recall, and
twenty one in favor — a majority being against Lee.
Izard's name was not taken up until the 20th May
and a vote was not reached until June 8th, when his
recall was determined. New Hampshire, Massachu-
719
setts, Pennsylvania and South Carolina voted no, and
the other States (New Jersey excepted), voted ay.
Thirteen delegates voted against a recall, and twenty
three in its favor. The one affirmative vote of the
Rhode Island delegate counted as much in determining
the question as the four negatives in the Pennsylvania
— ^The individual votes were not very difiFerent from
those cast in the Arthur Lee ballot. Ellery (R. I),
Sherman and Spencer (Conn), Lewis (N. Y.), Plater
and Jenifer (Md), joined the hostiles, while Drayton
(So Ca) and Henry (Md), voted against a recall.
Duane, seconded by Armstrong, moved that "Mr.
Izard be informed that it is the sense of Congress that
he need not repair to America until it suits his con-
venience.'* Sherman, seconded by Lovell, wished to
strike out the words ** until it suits his convenience,*'
which was agreed to, thus leaving Izard removed from
office but not recalled.
William Lee, on the same day, and by nearly the
same vote, was removed from office, and was not re-
quired to return to America. The vote on recall was
as follows:
New Hampshire, Mr. Whipple, no \ no
> no
Massachusetts,
Mr. S. Adams
no ^
Gerry
ay
Lovell
no 1
1
Holten
no J
Rhode Island
Mr. Ellery
ay ]
Collins
ay ]
ay
720
Connecticut
New York
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
Mr. Sherman
Huntington
Spencer
Mr. Jay
Duane
Morris
Floyd
Lewis
Mr. Scudder
Fell
Mr. Armstrong
Shippen
Searle
Muhlenberg
M'Clure
Wynkoop
Mr. Dickinson
Mr. Plater
Paca
Carmichael
Henry
Jenifer
Mr. Smith
Griffin
Fleming
Mr. Penn
Burke
Sharpe
Mr. Laurens
Drayton
For recall, 25; against, 12.
Delaware
Maryland
Virginia
N. Carolina
S, Carolina
ay
ay
ay
ay
ay
ay
ay
ay
no
ay
no
no
no
ay
no
ay
ay
ay
ay
ay
no
ay
ay
ay
ay
ay
ay
ay
no
no
I
ay
ay
!
div.
>- no
J' ay
ay
ay
ay
no
721
JAMES LOVELL TO WILLIAM LEE.*
Phii«ade]:«phia, July 17th, 1779.
Sir:
The Committee of Congress for Foreign Affairs are
oflScially instructed to inform you that on the 8th of
June last past it was resolved to recall you from the
Courts of Vienna and Berlin, to which you had been
appointed. But you are also to be informed that it is
the sense of Congress that you need not repair to
America.
You may see the proceedings, at length, respecting
this business in their Journals, printed authoritatively
by David C. Claypole, and being in the hands of Dr.
Franklin or Mr. Arthur Lee, at Paris.
We are, sir, with sincere regard, &c.,
James Lovell,
For the Committee of Foreign Affairs,
TO LEBLANC.
20 July, 1779.
About 4 weeks ago 4 Englishmen passed through
this town, having come from London in 5 days.
They only dined here and went on their journey.
They appeared as common passengers and talked
at the hotel as if they were going to Vienna. I
have just heard that they were only 7 days in going
from hence to Venice, where a vessel was hired
ready for them, in which they immediately em-
* See letter to Richard Henry Lee, 14 October, 1779.
722
barked and set sail for Alexandria. They are said
to have carried orders to the E. Indies to attack
the settlement of our Allies at the Manillas. I am
informed that our enemies have planned, as soon
as the campaign is over in N. America, where they
expect great success, to send a large body of the
troops they now have there to attack some of the
French or Spanish settlements in the W. Indias.
This plan might be easily disconcerted by orders
being immediately sent for some of the Spanish
ships now at the Havannah to go and destroy our
Enemies' naval force in Georgia and Chesapeak
Bay in Virginia. Now 'tis in our power, we must
attack our enemies in all quarters and not wait for
them to attack us. I hope an attack on Jamaica
and Barbadoes is already planned. October, No-
vember and December are the months for eflfectual
operations in the West Indias. The French priva-
teers, as well as the Americans, too often make a
practice of ransoming the prizes they take. Is not
this tho't an impolitic conduct, for by this means
our enemies have always their sailors ready for
their ships of war and their privateers, while all
the French sailors that are taken are confined in
jails to dye with diseases. Sir Charles Hardy, on
taking the King's sloop, the St. Helene that went
out of Brest, learnt from her that the Spanish ships
at Ferrol had join'd Count D'Orvilliers; on which
he returned to Torbay for reinforcements ; and be-
723
fore this his fleet is augmented to 41 ships of the
line. If the West India fleet that is expected in
10 or 14 days arrives safe, they will get sailors
enough to man Sir Charles Hardy's fleet fully, and
two or three ships more. This W. I. fleet might
be easily intercepted, which would be a very heavy
blow to our enemies. It is talked in England that
the packet boats from Dover to Ostend will soon be
stopped, and they expect at Ostend that the fishing
boats will be stopped there from going to England,
as the English take by force all the men and put
them on board their ships of war. I mention this,
that in time a plan may be adopted for getting in-
telligence from thence. I will only add one word
of opinion. I know our enemies so well, as to be
sure they never will consent to any peace that we
can accept, until they are heartily beaten and loose
some of their important possessions; therefore
every proposition that comes from them should be
considered as it is intended and meant by them,
only as a finesse to impede and delay our opera-
tions. *
* "The papers say 97 (A. Lee) is minister to 148 (Spain); 90
(Izard) and 96 (W. Lee) being layed by on the shelf, they must
look for some retired comer to breath in. If 'tis in his power
97 (A. Lee) should take care of himself, that he may not want
when the stroke comes upon him." William Lee to Arthur
Lee, 24 July, 1779.
724
TO ARTHUR LEE.
17 August, 1779.
Dear Brother:
I got home the night before last and found your
two favors of the 23d. ulto. and 7 inst You will
surely have justice enough to take to yourself all
the consequences of 170 transactions being known,
which now seems to me inevitable, from the bill
not being sent as desired, on which the loss would
have been less than will be on the money. What
N[eufville] & Son know is of no importance of
itself, but may tend to clear up other points for
which I believe a person was sent to 0[stend]. I
am of opinion with you, that no notice should at
present be taken of a certain set of wretches, but it
may hereafter be of much use to the Public that
their wicked operations should be generally known;
therefore if you can contrive to get certain infor-
mation of the author of what is in the Whitehall
Evening Post, from 26 to 28 July, I beg you will
do it I will write to T. D[igges] about it, but do
not know by what name to direct to him, having
written twice long ago, and never received any
answer. Mr. Jackson, manager of the I^edger,
writes to me thus :
"Your brother should have had that, and a great
deal more information from me, had I not been in-
formed that when he invited me to dine with him at
Paris, he desired Carmichael to be present to push
725
about the bottle, and to pump from me what I knew.
Carmichael had all I knew, and I trust he made use
of it for the service of America."
This informant is pretty evident, tho' not men-
tioned by name ; however, I have written and re-
quested he would name him ; and if he does, you
shall have a certificate of the whole. That the
party intended Carmichael for Spain^ I think there
is little doubt, but the completion of this scheme
will much depend on the tenor of the despatches
that were sent from Passy to 6i, the beginning of
March. You have no doubt seen the Courier de
V Europe of i6 July. Whether the proceedings of
C[ongress] on the i6 of April were omitted by
design or not, I can't say. However the report of
the Committee is pretty explicit. Article 3d and
4th involves indiscriminately Messrs. A[dams],
I[zard], you and myself in the charges; art 5 is
judgment and condemnation of M^ I[zard] and both
of us ; art 7. is intended to incapacitate me, and
art 8., to incapacitate you from being re-elected.
It remains to know whether these reports are con-
firmed. The determination, however, with respect
to me seems so clear that I think myself warrant-
able in declining any farther operations in the
public line, and shall accordingly write to Con-
gress as soon as I can ; for which purpose I beg you
to let me know whenever there is a good oppor-
tunity. I shall without waiting for farther advice
726
look out for some quiet place to fix my family in
before the winter sets in, on which subject I am
not a little perplexed, for there are clouds gather-
ing in this quarter that may burst out in a dreadful
storm, in which case Flanders will again become
the seat of war.
I saw at Bruges the captain of the Congress fri-
gate, now at r Orient or Brest* He told me that
he left Paris the ist. of this month, and that Dt
B[ancroft] told him Charles Town was taken by
Prevost, and that Lincoln was wounded in an en-
gagement near it. He said also that a French
gentleman in Paris told him that he had just come
from Spain and had travelled part of the way from
Madrid to Cadiz with a Spanish Marquis, who was
going as Minister to Congress. I also met on my
route with a gentleman from Holland who assured
me he had the day before seen an American on his
route from Paris to Holland, who assured him that
he came from Congress with despatches to Dr.
Franklin, amongst which were advices of Prevost
* ** I wish you could discover what was the real business for
which Capt Bamett, commander of the Congress frigate, was
sent to Bruges and Ostend. He said his Business was to get
American sailors at Ostend for his frigate. This is too im-
probable to be believed, for he might as well have gone to
Vienna for that purpose. He is a Bostonian and impressed
with the highest idea of 54 (Franklin), 40 (Deane), & the
whole at P[assy], N[antes] and B[ordeau]x." William
Lee to Arthur Lee, 22 August, 1779.
727
and his army being totally defeated. These reports
it may be of use to you to know. . . .
TO RALPH IZARD.
Frankfort, 31 August, 1779.
* * * By this time I suppose you are con-
vinced with me that Prevost has met with a Bur-
goynade at Charles Town, and if Clinton or his
successor, Comwallis should pursue the plan laid
down for them, to penetrate into New England after
getting possession of the North river to Albany,
they will probably meet the same fate. I think
after considering the proceedings of 28 (Congress)
in the paper you gave me, the determination is too
plain to be mistaken; therefore in my opinion
neither 90 (Izard), 96 (W. Lee) nor 97 (A. Lee), can
with propriety act any longer in their former
capacity as 38? (ministers). Give me if you please
your opinion on this. The Expos^ des Motifs of
Prance and the Cedula published in Spain, should
be well considered, that a strong remonstrance may
be immediately drawn up and immediately trans-
mitted to 3 (America) against any longer trusting
the whole interests of 3 (America) in the hands of
54 (Franklin). After the offer to guarantee to
Great Britain, Rhode Island, New York, Long
Island, Staten Island, Portsmouth in Virginia,
Beaufort in South Carolina, and every inch of
728
Georgia, I should not be surprised if the next offer
was to give up the whole to G. B.
There are great movements in this quarter.
Russia is working hard, for it seems agreed on all
hands that she has offered her mediation to G. B.
and P. Panin is gone to Sweden from whence he
goes to Denmark, as is believed, to form a combi-
nation with R. to take an open part in the war, if
her mediation is not submitted to. The same in-
trigues have been tryed at Vienna and Berlin, at
both which places, things are now in a great deal
of fermentation. Prussia recruits with as much
activity as in the last year, and measures are as-
suredly taken to be ready at a moment to enter into
the field. I cannot get any sure information of the
real design of the cabinet at Berlin, but at this
moment all our proceedings are at a stand there.
He is wise however, and I hope is our friend. 'Tis
said with confidence that propositions between
France and Great Britain have been already ex-
changed thro' Russia. Powerful mediators are al-
ways dangerous especially when they are not so
impartial as they ought to be; for 'tis very certain
that in the present instance the secret design of
R. is to make matters up between G. B., F. and S.,
and leave America entirely out of the question.
Thanks to the contrariety of interests however, be-
tween the 3 great powers in this quarter, which, if
properly managed, may save us from the threatened
729
mischief. 'Tis astonishing to see how we have
sunk in the estimation of the Powers in this quar-
ter since they have known the late proceedings on
the other side, and they now give up the idea of
America maintaining independency. The last ad-
dress to the people demanding 60 millions of dollars
to be raised this year, has completely satisfied all
politicians of the north that our case is too desperate
to be supportable. 'Tis strange that nobody but
Dr. F. had letters by the last express from C[on-
gress] arrived at Brest from Boston. . . ,
TO BARON D' ARENDT.
Frankfort, 23 August, 1779.
Sir:
I had the honor of writing to you the nth inst.,
in answer to your favor of the 22 of July, which
was the only letter I received from you since you
left this place; and this moment is come to hand
yours of the 12th inst., which appears to have been
II daies on the road, which I cannot account for.
The security in Europe which is required will I
apprehend be as diflScult to obtain as the money;
indeed, it is in fact the very thing we want to find
in your country, as at present our affairs in everj^
quarter wear a favorable appearance. I should
hope the merchants in Prussia will readily see that
there is very little risk indeed in giving credit to
730
the state of Virginia. 'Tis now certain that Gen-
eral Prevost and the British amiy have been de-
feated in South Carolina, the remnant driven on
board their ships and escaped to Georgia. The
expedition to Virginia has ended in a pillage,
burning all the houses they dared to venture to,
and massacring in cold blood, a la savage^ all the
unarmed men, helpless women and children they
could lay their hands on. They made an attempt
on the little town of Hampton in Virginia, but were
repulsed with considerable loss. I conclude that
General Clinton does not find himself in a con-
dition- to do so much at New York, since about a
fortnight ago two of his best generals, viz. Sir Wm.
Erskine and Genl. Jones, have returned to Eng-
land. The public gazettes will tell you the state of
our allies in the British channel. We trust much
to the friendship and good intentions of his majesty
toward us, and I hope to hear soon something sat-
isfactory and pleasing from your quarter. You re-
member my having mentioned the circumstance of
a proposition being made at the last Congress at
Teschen, for all the contracting parties to acknowl-
edge the Independence of America. Can you con-
trive to get an accurate account of that proceeding
and let me know all the particulars ? . . .
731
TO ARTHUR LEE.
F ^T, I September, 1779.
Dear Brother:
I think you fix the 20^* of October for the period
when a draft on M — t will be paid for the bal. —
On that I shall form my plan, as perhaps it will be
more advisable to have the money somewhere else
than at Paris. You will, however, have notice of
what is to be done, but if you should think of
changing your residence to Spain^ you should give
me as early advice as you can that everything may
be settled before you go. The fixing my residence
is a very serious and perplexing business at present,
especially with the prospect of an increasing family,
and no part in France will do for me as things are
at this time. At B[russels] a house must be taken
for 3 years, and then to be furnish' d, which looks
like fixing for life almost. 'Tis very certain that
when things are settled, there will be a great deal
of business done at both Cadiz and Lisbon, there-
fore I should like much a correspondence with Mr.
Dohrman, but at this moment it would be better
for Mr. D. to write to me, stating his plan and de-
siring a connection, provided he chooses it. Tis
probable that with a proper credit on Paris or Am-
sterdam I may be able to get the vessels he wants
on much better terms than he can, and many arti-
cles that are absolutely necessary for his purposes
must come from this quarter, which may be sent
732
in the vessels to Lisbon, to have salt, &c., added
to her cargoe. The fair is commenced here, and
if orders were received here in 15 or 18 days from
this time, good purchases might be made of linens
and woollens. If you have no employment for
T. Lee, perhaps Mr. D. might take him to Lisbon
and send him Super Cargo, with his first adven-
ture ; after which, if he managed well, Mr. D.
might establish him there as his agent. Will you
please see, if the Mr. Hall that is come from V. is
not the same, that was carried into Liverpool in
1776 by the crew who run away with a ship loaded
in Virginia with tobacco on account of C[ongress].
What he says about D — 's acquittal is I suppose
the construction that the world puts on the report
of the Committee that we see published in the
Cur. de I'Europe. That report, if confirm*d, is
indeed a full acquittal of D., and a full condemna-
tion of those he accuses.
No answer yet from I — n, and I fear he will not
give any, if he does you will know it. The para-
graph in the Whitehall Evening Post from 26 to
28 July is ** A private letter from Paris informs us,
that a certain Alderman of this city was beheaded
privately in the Bastile for various frauds and forg-
eries, notwithstanding Dr. Franklin's endeavors to
save him." Is there not a mistake in the brass
cannon and mortars being charged at 180 livres the
quintal, which is 36 sols the pound, though they
733
were old, when Helenius's prices for new brass
cannon was 124 livres, and Monthieu's, 136 Hvres
the quintal? The difference in value between old
and new brass cannon generally is very great, as
commonly the first is only at the price of old stuff
to be refounded. By the English papers it appears
that some time last month a privateer in the Bay
of Biscay took an American packet boat with dis-
patches from Congress, which were saved and sent
to the British Ministry. Every day we expect to
hear of a battle between C^ D'Orvilliers and Hardy.
If gained by the former, the British Empire on the
sea must be at an end. You say nothing about
peace, but I think you may be assured that propo-
sitions on that head have lately been made and I
fancy exchanged. If you see L'd Mountstewart at
Paris you may reckon on the principal points being
agreed. This letter is only for your own perusal.
We expect all the important news from your
quarter.
My tribe, with myself, send you our love ; little
P[orti]a would win your heart were you here. She
is so good, and begins to lisp her words so sweetly.
TO FRANCIS UGHTFOOT LEE.
2 September, 1779.
The perusal of the inclosed papers and consider-
ing what G. B. possessed at the time the propo-
734
sitions were made (viz. early in May, 1779) will
show what sort of a peace the Dictator [Franklin]
which Congress has appointed for America in
Europe was willing to make for you. Your own
sense and judgment will render any comment on
the whole business unnecessary, as you will readily
see that it is the Good Genius of America alone
that has saved her in this instance, as in many
others, from utter perdition. You must now be
convinced of what has been often said to you, that
America had never greater need of the services of
her wisest and most honest sons than at this present
period; but we shall leave politics to the most able
and incorruptible Messrs. W. H. D[ra]yt[o]n,
C[arte]r B[raxto]n, and C[ar]m[ichae]l, &c.
The French and Spanish fleets have at last got
into the B. Channel. We have not yet heard of
any engagement, but 'tis probable there will be
one, which may be as undecisive as the one last
year. However, 'tis thought the season is too far
advanced to admit of any farther material opera-
tions even if the B. fleet should be entirely defeated.
Negotiations for peace are again renewed; the
terms are not fully known, but as 'tis public, and
has been for some time, that the B. army has been
totally defeated before Charles Town, and that
Clinton cannot do anything at New York, 'tis to be
hoped that the terms for America will be somewhat
better than those proposed before. I do not hear
735
that any despatches from C[ongress] dated within
the present year have been received. We have
seen some proceedings in April last, first published
in France, and from thence copied into most of the
French gazettes in Europe, relative to D — e's
affairs. By a private person I hear that both you
and R. H. have refused to go again to C, which
for the sake of America and the noble cause of Lib-
erty, gives me great concern, but I hope you will
both still continue to watch over the affairs of your
particular country. * * *
TO ARTHUR LEE.
Frankfort, 4 September, 1779.
'Tis certain that negotiations for peace have been
for some time and are still on the carpet. The
terms proposed on either side I do not know, but
the issue will probably depend on what has hap-
pened within these 14 days past, or may happen
within this month in the Channel. Before this a sea
battle must have taken place, but an invasion will
not you may be assured ; perhaps we may have a
second edition of the Jersey business. Captain
B[amet] assured me he came from Boston in the
Congress frigate of 22 guns, but that she would
carry 28, which he intended to put on her; that he
arrived at L' Orient some time in June, and had
made some prizes; that he knew W. Lee the
736
moment he saw him, from his likeness to A, Lee
whom he knew at Paris ^ and had in a strange
place, where not a creature knew A. Lee^ addressed
him by name, &c. This Captain, I have reason to
believe, was returned to Paris on or before the i6th
of August. A gentleman also told me he had seen
his commission from Congress. The Captain told
me that W[illiams] was agent for the sale of prizes
at N[antes], and Moylan and Nesbitt, his partners,
were agents at L' Orient. These things you may
inquire into, as well as to have it fully ascertained
that Jones's squadron is on private account, for the
loss on that business must be immense. Therefore
it is to be apprehended that by some legerdemain
America will be brought in to pay it. W. Lee tells
me he does not think there is the most distant
probabilty of obtaining the agency in Virginia, It
is certainly a desirable thing, but the success must
be certain, and the advantage very considerable, to
induce W. Lee to go to Paris^ which at present he
thinks of never doing again, unless he has substan-
tial reason to alter his opinion of the Passy Court.
If A. Lee can obtain it for W, Lee he will of course
have a full share of the advantages, tho' there is no
objection to its being to the two jointly if it can be
accomplished; but it seems most likely to succeed
if A, Lee is proposed, as he has been in that way.
It should be remembered that on such occasions
Comis are often of more weight than principals; and
737
in this case Saint Marc the treasurer is of as much
consequence as Pauly. Say what you think can be
done, but try cautiously that the old Spider
[Franklin] may not know anything of it . . . *
TO ARTHUR LEE.
12 September, 1779.
* * * Captain Robins f being taken is very
unfortunate, but I hope he had not much value on
account of the state on board; I always understood
that the whole belonging to the state was shipped
in the Gov. Livingston. Unless convoys are given
to the trade with America, none but madmen can
think of venturing, nor will any venture; therefore
I am sure that America will be more distressed for
goods, this winter and next summer, than she has
ever been yet
This moment I received yours of the 6th and
thank you much for the Intelligence, which is im-
portant and may produce a peace; for which I am
* "I see in the papers a good deal about a Capt Hutchins and
two others being taken up for treasonable correspondence,
which seems to be a most ridiculous business; for if one may
judge from what has appeared, this Triumvirate will turn out
to be of the HonWe Order of Swindlers. Are they so hard run,
as to be obliged to such shifls to amuse the public attention ?"
William Lee to Richard Weld^ 15 September, 1779.
t Of the Hunter^ on board of which were some of the supplies
ordered by Virginia.
738
quite sure negotiations have been already com-
menced. The Gentlemen at P. have forgot that
Hall says the brothers of W. Lee refused to serve
any longer in Congress^ which you know to be true
as they both long ago determined to resign, and I
fancy their resignation has startled the Junto and
made them afraid to push their plans till they see
the eflFect of their resignation, which may account
for not hearing of their determination. I think
from considering all circumstances, it is probable
that the appointments of Izard and IV, Lee are
annulled, and no new one made; that A Lee con-
tinues as yet in his place.
So Hardy is safe in Plymouth and D'Orvilliers
in Brest, and the embarkment forgot. Sic transit
gloria mundi! You can't forget the song we used
to sing when boys, of somebody with 40,000 men,
going up a Hill, and then coming down again.*
* On August 31st a wind drove the combined fleet from the
Channel, and Hardy with great skiU brought in his ships, an-
choring at Spithead the following morning. The King sent
positive directions to lyord Sandwich to acquaint the admiral
that he expected the "enemy is not to be permitted to quit the
channel without feeling that chastizement which so base a con-
duct deserves." The King to Lord Norths 4 September, 1779.
The combined fleet, however, suffered from another source too
heavily to permit it to await an attack. For a terrible disease
broke out among the men, and the signal for retiring to Brest
was given. For months the pestilence raged, and nearly 6,000
men perished.
741
by the Spanish Ambassador to Lord Weymouth, in
London, said not one word in our favor, but rather
seemed to look on the Thirteen United States of
America as being still colonies, or provinces, be-
longing to Great Britain, it became absolutely
necessary for me to wait until this enigma could be
cleared up, and till I could get sure information of
the real designs of Spain, and the measures she in^
tended to pursue.
As soon as I had got this information, I made a
formal requisition to the Prussian Minister, hoping
that, as the late war in Germany had prevented his
Majesty's former declarations in our favor from
being carried into effect, and as that obstruction
was now removed, his Majesty would not delay to
acknowledge the independence of the Thirteen
United States of America, which might be the
means of putting a stop to the further wanton effus-
ion of human blood. To this requisition I received
the following answer from the Minister:
* * With respect to the declaration, which you again
desire of the King in favor of the independence of the
Americans, I have frequently explained, that his
Majesty having, by the position of his dominions and
those of his neighbors, very different interests from
those Powers that are properly called maritime ones,
be had no right to expect a direct influence in maritime
afBairs, and that he could not in wise policy take any
measures in those affairs, because they would always
742
be unfruitful, as they could not be supported by a war-
like marine. The support of the maritime Powers will
make the balance incline in your favor more effectually
than all the declarations in the world, and Spain, by
joining with France to make war on England, renders
you the most essential services, without having
acknowledged your independence. The King, in
making the declaration now which you desire, would
only embroil himself with England, without rendering
the smallest service to your country. These are the
reasons which induce the King to confine himself at
present to the facilities which his Majesty has offered
at different times with respect to commerce, in assuring
you, which I do again, that merchant vessels of Amer-
ica, that choose to enter into the ports of the King, to
sell their goods and to buy ours, shall be received in a
friendly manner, and treated on an equality with the
merchants of any other country."
It has long been one object of my policy to en-
gage the King of Prussia to act in our favor as a
mediator for peace, whereby, if his mediation was
agreed to, he might render us much more effectual
service than by sending an army of fifty thousand
men into Hanover, which step he could not take
without arming the Emperor and the whole Ger-
man empire against him. I have good reason to
believe that the King is much disposed to act in
the quality of a mediator, but he is too wise to offer
his services without being previously assured that
they would be accepted by both sides; however,
743
we may expect very essential benefits from his in-
fluence with the Court of St. Petersburgh, who, it
is said with confidence, has offered its mediation,
and that it is accepted by the parties, I am in-
formed that the first proposition to be made to
England by the mediating Powers, as the com-
mencement of the negociation is, that America
shall be treated as independent. There is a strong
inclination in Prussia to enter into the American
commerce, and there is now a scheme in agitation
under the direction of the Minister to make the
trial, which, if the commencement is successful,
will be carried on upon a very large scale, and will
more effectually engage the King in our interests
than any thing else. For this purpose, I think it
would be of most essential service if two or three
American vessels were to enter into the port of
Emden, which is a good harbor, lying between
Hamburg and Amsterdam, and as easily got into
as any of the ports of Holland.
I have continued my correspondence at Vienna,
but having no powers to treat with the Empress
Queen, who is still sole sovereign over all the
dominions of the House of Austria, and the Em-
peror being much disgusted with some proceedings
during the late war, and more so with its conclu-
sion, is become, of course, much more disposed in
favor of our enemies than he was, and consequently
less inclined to ser\'e us ; therefore, little advantage
744
can be expected from that quarter at present. Our
friends in Holland increase every day, and I am
still in regular correspondence with those who
regulated with me the form of the treaty of com-
merce, copies of which have been sent you by
various conveyances; and even now if the Stadt-
holder were to refuse to receive an American
deputy, I have no doubt of his meeting a cordial
reception from the city of Amsterdam, whose
weight and decisive influence in their association
you must be fully informed of.
Letters of good authority from England say that
the British Ministry would willingly agree to give
up the independence of America to obtain peace ;
but it is feared that the obstinacy and folly of their
master will prevent them from executing their
plan ; however, I am still firmly of opinion, that
the best security and success of America will de-
pend on her own efforts — her wise, steady, and
uniform conduct As the obtaining a fresh supply
of troops from this country has been a favorite
point with our enemies, I have paid continual
attention to that object, and have the pleasure to
inform you that, at present, there is not any pros-
pect of their obtaining fresh troops from this part
of the world, as they have hitherto been defeated
in all their various negociations for that purpose ;
but as this campaign has passed away without any
blow being struck in Europe, all the English fleets
745
from the different parts of the world arrived safe,
without the least molestation ; and the King's
hands are so much strengthened by the exertions
of all parties in England to repel the invasion
which they have been threatened with all the year,
that I think it is most probable the war will con-
tinue another year at least, for which, I suppose,
proper provision will be made in America.
I have the honor to be, &c..
TO GOVERNOR THOMAS JEFFERSOl^.
Frankfort, 28 September, 1779.
Sir:
His Excellency Gov*". Henry was pleased in 1777,
with the advice of the Council, to appoint me agent
in France for the State of Virginia, and in 1788,
by the same authority he sent me a power under
the State seal, to obtain arms, artillery, ammuni-
tion, &c., of his most Xtian Majesties ministers, or
any other persons, to the amount of 2,000,000 liv-
res, or to borrow money to that amount to purchase
those articles with; invoices for which were sent,
for the artillery, arms and ammunition by the
Governor; for linens, woolens and other merchan-
dize, by Mr. Smith, the State agent in Virginia;
and for paper and printing materials by Mr. Webb,
the Treasurer. These documents came to me last
year when I was at Vienna, in the public service.
746
where I was fortunate enough to prevail with the
French Ambassador at that Court to solicit the
Court of Versailles to grant us the artillery, arms,
and ammunition, and I also sent a power to my
brother, Mr. Arthur Lee, who was then at Paris, to
solicit this business for me at the Court of Ver-
sailles, and to try what could be done in France
towards procuring the other articles. In conse-
quence of these measures, there was obtained from
the French ministry cannon, mortars, ball, bombs,
&c to the value of ;^2i9,489.7.4. and my brother
advanced the money for the purchase of swords,
pickaxes, hatchets, &c., which with Capt. Le
Maire's and other expences amounted to about the
sum of ;^45,ooo.
My brother chartered vessels to carry these arti-
cles to Virginia, and I believe they were all shipped
in the Governor Livingston, Capt. Galer, and the
Hunter, Capt. Robins: He also made a contract
with Messrs Penet, D'Acosta FrSres & Co, of
Nantes, for several thousand stand of arms, and
some other articles which they contracted to ship
from France by the last of September, 1778, on the
same terms which Mr. John King had agreed to in
October 1777, with these gentlemen under the firm
of Jas. Gruel & Co, for sundrie articles for the State.
No part of the contract made with Mr. King was
ever complyed with, nor was any part of the con-
tract made with my brother complyed with, which
747
I now think a fortunate circumstance, having lately
had authentic information, that several thousand
muskets were in the course of last year sent from
Liege to Nantes, addressed to a clerk of that house,
which were of such a base quality as to cost no
more than ;^5 a piece. I hope none of these guns
will ever reach Virginia. Truth obliges me to say,
that I have always found this house extremely
leady to engage, but never so to execute.
My brother has given Governor Henry advice
from time to time of his proceedings, and now he
writes me that he has no more money to advance,
and the owners of the ships in which the goods
were shipped are in extreme want of the money for
the freight, which amounts to about 27000 livres.
Having no money myself to pay this freight with,
we shall be greatly distressed, unless you are good
enough to hasten some remittances either in bills
or American produce, which I must earnestly re-
quest of your Excellency to have done. 'Tis nec-
essary that I should inform you of what my brother
has before advised Govr. Henry, viz., that the
French ministry did last Spring demand payment
for the cannon, &c, furnished by them, but on its
being represented to them that we were utterly
unable to make this payment, and that the State
had not had time to make the necessary remittan-
ces, they agreed to wait some time longer.
I have not received any letters from Congress for
748
a long time, but there are some private letters in
Europe, as I am inform' d, which say that Congress
has dispensed with my services. Therefore my
stay in this country will not be long, and when
you are pleased to write to me, be so good as to put
your letter under cover directed to X Monsieur,
Grand, Banquier k Paris, if the conveyance is to
any part of Spain, Portugal or France; and if the
conveyance is by Holland, put your letter under
cover directed X Messieurs, Mess. Jean de Neuf-
ville & fils, Negociants, Amsterdam. If you re-
mit any produce, the Captain should be directed to
make the first port in Europe that he can get to,
and let him address his cargoe as follows, giving
me notice of his arrival under cover to M^. Grand.
At Cadiz to Messrs. Rey & Brandebourg; at Lis-
bon, to M^ John Henry Dohrman; at Bilboa, to
Mess. Gardoqui & fils; at Bordeaux to M*". John
Bondfield; at Nantes, to Mess^ Schweighauser &
Dobr^e; at Amsterdam, to Messrs. Jean de Neuf-
ville & fils.
As the enemies cruizers and privateers have the
ports of Portugal to run into, they very greatly
infest all the Bay of Biscay from Gibraltar to the
English Channel, so that it is very difficult indeed
to escape them. Therefore, I think the risk of
being taken would be much less to come round the
north of Scotland to Holland or Embden in the
Prussian dominions, where they would be well
749
received, and find a better market for tobacco than
in France or Spain, and could get woollen and
linnen goods better in quality and much cheaper.
The want of money has prevented the articles
ordered by Mr. [Thomas] Smith, State Agent,
from being purchased, as well as the paper and
printing materials ordered by MT Webb, the Treas-
urer, which can only be got in London, for the
types by orders cannot be purchased anywhere else
in Europe. The first cost of M^ Webb's order will
amount to about ;^i500 sterling.
I was last year flattered with the hopes of obtain-
ing a loan in France for the 2,000,000 Hvres, but
the large sums borrowed by their own government,
from which the lender draws about 9 per cent in-
terest, disappointed my expectations, tho' if this
had not been the case, it could not have been
accomplished under ray power, which only ex-
presses the Governor's authority, by advice of the
Privy Council, without any act of that Council to
show its consent ; and besides they conceived that
the State could not be bound without some formal
act or Resolution of the whole Legislature. I
applyed also in Holland where money abounds,
and the terms were all agreed upon ; but when the
power was sent, the same objections were made to
it that had been made in France and farther : ist,
As it specified that the money was to purchase
arms and ammunition, such a loan could not be
750
negociated without eng^aging their government in
a dispute with G. Britain ; therefore the power
should only have expressed that it was to borrow
so much money generally, without naming to
whom application was to be made for the loan ;
and after the borrowers had got the money they
would be at liberty to lay it out as they tho't
proper. 2^.^ They desired some clear and certain
information by some public act, how far any par-
ticular state was authorized by the terms and
articles of the General Association or Union of the
13 United States, to borrow money on its own
single security. But they rather wished to have
the guarantee of Congress added to that of the par-
ticular State for which the money was borrowed, as
one State might be conquered by, or make some
accommodation with G. Britain, and the rest re-
main independent They think themselves justi-
fied in this reflection by the history of their own
country, where their first association or union
against Spain consisted of 17 Provinces; but 10 of
them being conquered or seduced by bribes and
solemn contracts and promises, which were never
kept, submitted to the tyranny of their old masters,
and are Slaves to this moment, while the other 7
Provinces, that were steady and true to themselves,
remain free, independent and happy. Added to
this, they now look upon the State of Georgia as
severed from the general American Confederacy,
751
and our enemies spare no pains to persuade them,
that it will be the same case with the Carolinas,
Virginia and Maryland. I have thus given you
fully the objections which have been made to the
power sent me, that you may take the proper meas-
ures to remove them if the State still continues
disposed to attempt a loan in Europe.
I am so far removed from the port from whence
this is to take its departure, that I cannot send you
any new publications, or the public papers; and as
the gentleman who will be so good as to take
charge of it, is so fully informed of the state of
Politics in Europe, tis unnecessary for me to say
a word on that subject: I will therefore only add,
that next to an honorable, speedy and happy Peace,
my most ardent wish is to hear that discord, in-
trigue, and confusion are totally banished from
America, and that Union, harmony, and good order
prevail in full vigor. I have the honor &c.
TO ARTHUR LEE.
F T, 28 September, 1779.
Dear Brother:
Yours of the i8th was so long on the road, that
it was too late to consider the Abba's advice about
Anvers, as I was obliged before to give a positive
answer about the house of B lies, which indeed
was the only one I saw in the several towns in that
752
country that pleased me in all respects. It is taken
for two years certain, and in about 15 daies time I
propose to leave this place, so that I may receive a
letter from you here, if you write by the 7th or 8th
of next month; tho' after I am gone any letters for
me will be taken care of. I hope the Abb^ has no
political reasons relative to the dispositions of the
government that make him advise against Brux-
elles; if he has, I beg to be informed, that every
possible precaution may be taken in time: if he has
not, you may assure him, that in every respect B.
is far preferable for me to Anvers.
I know not any English at B., nor am I likely
to know much of any of them, as my design is to be
perfectly retirM, and not to form acquaintances of
any kind. My fam'ly and books will employ my
whole time, until some business is undertaken,
which cannot be done in a hurry, and even then,
it will be better to be at some distance from the
place of action, since during the war, too much
cover or secrecy cannot be used to escape the"
enemy. You will say what is necessary to the
Abb^ to prevent his taking offence at his advice
not being followed, and get his letter to the Banker
at Anvers, for tis possible that in time much may
be done there, especially if the government is
favorable, but it is a very dear place to live in.
I wonder that you have not said one word about
the contents of the despatches by Capt Sampson,
on the state of things when he sail'd.
753
By the Gazettes I see that he arrived the lo*** in
Paris and brings papers from Philadelphia to the
19 July, and no doubt letters of a later date. From
the paper you sent I understand that the question
for recalling Arthur Lee was lost, the Votes being
equal. This was no doubt known at Passy in July,
when the other proceedings in April were pub^
lish'd, and was omitted or concealM with design,
for this seems to have been at the same time. The
same paper must also have been bro't by J.
T[emple]. The conduct of D[ic]k[inso]n may
be accounted for, as he was always violently
against Independence. He acted, spoke and voted
against it; therefore, he may have designs of
oversetting Independence. But the conduct of M.
S th* and C. G — f — n,t from Virginia, is to me
utterly unaccountable, unless it is that the first
owes me £1^00 sterling, which it is fear'd he has
neither capacity or inclination to pay, and the lat-
ter has received many favors from me. Therefore
*by Shakespeare's principles they may have become
enemies. However, I begin to think from a review
of the names and circumstances, that they have
hitherto fail'd in all their plans, and if so, they
must grow more and more feeble and despicable
every day. ^ Can you contrive T. L. to go by the
opportunity by the way of the West Indies that
* Meriwither Smith. f Cyms Griffin.
754
you say will go in about a month? He has been
very ill for a long time, but I hope both him and
Ludwell will now speedily recover as the season is
changing.
You seem to have forgot that by matrimony a
man is not likely to get any ready money in Vir-
ginia, which is an article essentially and absolutely
necessary to carry on trade; besides, in that coun-
try, the cares of a wife and family are amply suflSc-
ient to employ a man's whole time. He must how-
ever go, and if he could be the bearer of any public
despatches, it may be of service to him. At least
it may bear the expence of his voyage, which will
be as well paid to him as to another.
While Ct. D'Orvilliers kept the sea, the English
papers and their partizans on the Continent were
crying out for Peace. Now the combined fleets are
in Port, 8 E. Indiamen safe, 2 F. E. Indiamen, a
Manilla and an Havanah ship taken, and the ter-
rors of an invasion blown over, nothing but war
and destruction to the House of Bourbon is talk'd
of, and if their W. India fleets arrive safe, this in-
solence will increase and we may expect another
year's war. I conceive Ad^. Ross and his squadron,
are bound to Gibraltar, perhaps to the West Indias;
but the first is much more probable, for they con-
ceive in England that the fleet from Brest will not
go to sea again this year, and if it does, it will be
only to take an airing and practice some new
manoeuvres.
755
#
I see no probability of ending the war speedily,
unless measures are taken to prevent the Enemy
from looking into Brest and other ports every day,
to see what is doing there, which might be easily
done; and plans are formed and executed to inter-
cept their merchant fleets of convoys.
Our love to you and Ludwell. Farewell.
Portia has continued quite well since her inocu-
lation : 'tis now the 20^** day, and not the least
symptom of the small pox.
TO PETER HASSENCLEVER.
Frankfort, 2 October, 1779.
Sir:
I have had the honor of receiving a letter from
you of the 21st. ulto., and have forwarded to Paris
the letter you inclosed for Commodore Gillon. As
the merchants in your country have not been much
accustomed to foreign commerce, 'tis possible that
it will take some time to convince them of the ad.
vantages that would arise from a trade with Amer-
ica, but you who have been in that country may
easily open their eyes, especially as I cannot sup-
pose there is a man of common sense in all Europe
that is so uninformed as not to know now, that it
is impossible for G. Britain to succeed in her plan
of subjugating America, which must now remain
independent. We have been so much distressed
756
with a cruel and ravaging war for near five years,
that it cannot be supposed we can furnish great
funds to carry on trade with, until we have peace;
but in the meantime the Prussian Merchants may
reap the whole immense benefits on this commerce
both on the exports and imports, if they have but
the spirit to make the trial, which might be done
with very little risk, by sfending moderate cargoes
in different vessels, for which purpose I can easily
furnish you (if you desire it) with the address of
proper houses in the different States, to whom your
business may be recommended, and who will con-
duct it faithfully and well. I know enough of
your manufactures and those in your neighborhood
which might be easily drawn to be exported from
Embden, to convince me that there will be a great
trade between the Prussian Dominions and Amer-
ica, as soon as we have peace, and England is
obliged to acknowledge our Independence; but
those who make the first attempts with you, will
certainly share the greatest profits; therefore, I ad-
vise you for your own interest to lose no time in
advising your friends to begin this commerce. I
shall be much obliged to you for giving me a par-
ticular description of the Port of Embden, the
depth of water, if 'tis a safe port and easy for a
stranger to find the way into, if there are many
good and substantial mercantile houses there, that
are acquainted with business, and if an American
!
i
■
757
vessel, for instance, coming there could find a
ready and good market for her goods, and a suffi-
cient choice of your manufactures to load with in
return, and any other informations that you may
think useful and necessary.
TO T. DIGGES.
7 October, 1779.
Dear Sir:
* * * We have the Gazette that shows the
issue of Sir G. Collier's expedition to Penobscot ;
it seems to be of as little importance in itself as the
burning Newark, &c., in Connecticut with respect
to conquest; but 'tis possible the consequences
may be important, as it may be the means of in-
ducing a continuation of the ruinous and hopeless
war. Most political people in this quarter think
that G. B. will certainly seize the opportunity of
the mediation proposed to make the best peace it
can obtain this winter; for if this occasion is trifled
with and peace not made this winter, 'tis most
probable that a storm, from a quarter where it is
least expected will arise, the /a/al consequences of
which to G. (P. , all your power, and all the finesse
of your ministry will be employed in vain to pre-
vent The Independence of America all the great
powers in Europe think, is a thing not only un-
avoidable, but absolutely necessary; therefore it
758
will not only be in vain, but the extreme of Folly
for the British Ministry to contend, or even hesi-
tate on that point The withdrawing the troops
from America and relinquishing N. York, as well
as Rhode Island, will be the wisest step your min-
istry can take, especially as during the Winter I
am convinced they will not run the smallest risk of
being interrupted by their enemies in bringing
them to Europe, or sending them to any island in
the West Indies that they may choose. By this
time Prevost and Sir James Wright together, must
be in a deplorable case enough, for I shall be
much mistaken if they had not had enough to do
without thinking of an expedition to Charles
Town. * * *
TO RICHARD HENRY LEE.
Frankfort, 14 October, 1779.
♦ ♦♦«♦♦♦♦
Mr. James Lovell, in the name of the committee
has sent me a short letter just received, saying that
Congress had recalled me, but that I need not re-
pair to America. *
This is all I know, formally. — Had fliis proceed-
ing issued from the divan of Constantinople, or
directly from the cabinet of Versailles, I should not
♦ Printed on p. 721.
759
have been surprised; but, that the representatives
of a free people should permit themselves to be
made the instruments of a little, contemptible
commisy to hear an accusation against a confidential
servant of the public, most of which their own
records prove to be false; and without hearing that
person's defence, or even letting him know that
he was accused^ to proceed to judgment and crimi-
nal condemnation, is a procedure that future his-
torians will perhaps hardly believe, or at least will
find much diflSculty to account for. — Is it possible
that the affairs of America can be in such a state
as to make it necessary in order to avoid being
conquered by England to deliver yourselves up
formally as the voluntary slaves of France?
My heart bleeds at the idea, especially as I could
open to you such deep plans of villiany and de-
struction that are plotting against you, as would
make your hair stand up with astonishment —
Your salvation must in my opinion arise from an
union more strict than ever with New England.
All Europe has resounded the summer past, with
the invincible strength of the combined fleets and
the numerous army, that was at a mouth full to
swallow up England, Scotland and Ireland; all
which has ended in taking the Ardent of 64 guns,
with the loss of above ten thousand men dead in
the Fleets with diseases; above ;^4,ocx),ooo Sterling
taken from the Spaniards in prizes, 3 French East
760
Indiamen and other prizes to the value of about
;^2,ooo,ooo Sterling more, while every English
fleet has arrived safe except what has been taken
by the Americans, some of them only convoyed by
a single frigate. — Now the English fleet is fully
able to face the combined fleets, and in the spring
will be much stronger, so that the superiority in
the West Indies will be easily recovered. — From
these facts, on the truth of which you may rely, you
can judge as well as I, what little probability there
is of peace this winter, especially as from the prizes,
and the riches of the East Indies, now all their
own, England can raise above ;^20,ooo,ooo Sterl-
ing, for the next year supplies, without borrowing
one shilling from foreigners ; and the spirit of all
parties, to repel the threatened invasion, has been
such as to put into the King's hands between 30
and 40 thousand new troops exclusive of the militia,
which troops I much fear, at least in great part,
will be employed next year in America.
The Parliament meets in five weeks, and from
the speech, we may judge something of their in-
tentions. ♦ * * *
* Parliament assembled 25 November, 1779. 1° ^^ speech
from the Throne the King said: '' Trusting in the Divine Provi-
dence and in the justice of his cause, he was firmly resolved to
prosecute the war with vigor.''
76 1
TO RICHARD HENRY LEE.
BruxbixKS, 30 October, 1779.
My dear Brother:
Inclosed you have a copy of my last, of the 149*
inst, to which I beg your attention — Your son,
Thom, goes in a vessel to Philadelphia, & I sin-
cerely hope will arrive safe and afiFord you that sat-
isfaction which you have a right to expect from
the attention you have paid and the expense that
has been laid out upon his education.
If my abilities enabled me to pay the expense of
his continuing longer on this side, (which unhap-
pily for me is not the case) I do not see that there
would be the least use in his stay.
He has been long enough in as good a counting
house as any in Europe, to get a suflScient knowl-
edge of commerce, especially that of France, where
all commerce, except a little to their own islands,
is almost annihilated; and your son will tell you
how little disposition there is to venture a single
livre in the trade to America; therefore, without a
capital to begin with, he could do nothing by stay-
ing where he is. — In his own country he may find
some opportunity of exercising the knowledge he
has gained, and I suppose he will be found well
qualified to make a good American consul in some
of the European ports. MT Raleigh Colston seems
to be a diligent, intelligent gentleman; perhaps
they may form some plan together, tho' if MI Thos.
762
Jett is in business, he will be a good person for
him to be connected with.
It will give me very sincere pleasure to find that
you are satisfied with my proceedings; but I must
assure you that had he been my own son, I should
not have acted otherwise than I have done; for at
present I have no possible method of employing
him, since the agency for the State of Virginia
neither yields profit, or afiFords occupation at pres-
ent; and besides I doubt whether my appointment
continues, since I have not received any letter from
Gov. Henry these 18 months past, which may be
imputed to the intrigues of Mr. Deane, who has
been always in close correspondence with him, or
to some falsehoods of the adventurer Pen^t, (of
which he is very capable,) and who is, I hear, a
very great man with yon. ♦ * *
The campaign on sea, in Europe is finished, and
nothing done, but an amazing sum of money spent
and about io,ocx) lives lost by disease. Gibraltar
is beseiged, but in England they seem to have little
apprehension of its being taken. From the conduct
of the British ministry, it would seem as if they
wished it should be taken that they may not be
embarrassed at the peace, with the demands of
Spain relative to it.
The Congress frigate, the Alliance, that brought
over the Marquis de la Fayette, has been kept idle
in France, ever since her arrival, waiting for some
7^3
French privateers * the principal of which, 42 guns,
was commanded by Paul Jones, who was formerly
in the service of Congress.
Jones was commodore of the fleet, [which] con-
sisted of about 6 ships, including the Alliance of 36
guns.t
How far the dignity of Congress was supported
by one of their ships of war sailing under the or-
ders of a Cap*, of a privateer, you can Judge as
well as I; however to leave a loop hola to creep
out at, it is supposed these privateers, besides their
French commissions, had Congress commissions
* To his brother, WiUiam wrote that the AUiance was held for
the service of Chaumont.
t Febmary 25th Franklin informed Vergennes that he had
ordered the Alliance to prepare for returning to America, as
convoy to a fleet of merchant vessels. Being a swift sailing ves-
sel, it was well fitted for carrying despatches, and the sailing was
expected to take place at an early day. Some discontents had
arisen between Captain Landais and his officers, and a part of his
crew was suspected of being mutinous and disaffected ; thirty-
eight of the crew had been brought in under confinement, and
Landais objected to returning with them. Certain repairs en-
tailed so long a delay that the merchant vessels sailed under the
convoy of Lamotte Picquet*s fleet from Brest, and soon after, at
the request of Sartine, the Alliance was ordered to join Jones*
little squadron at L* Orient Adams, deprived of his expected
passage, chafed under the disappointment, while Arthur Lee,
under the plea of important dispatches from himself and Izard,
insisted upon the Alliance's sailing as proposed, ignorant of the
request of the French minister. A full statement is found in
Franklin's Writings^ VIL, 21a
764
given them by D^. Franklin, by whose order it
seems the commander of the Alliance acted. This
fleet sailed round the north of Scotland, and took
several prizes, and in the North sea met a British
fleet of seventy sail from the Baltic, laden with
naval stores, convoyed by the Serapis of 40 guns
and ship of 20 guns.
Jones' ship of 42 guns and the Alliance attacked
the Serapis; which after a very hard engagement
was taken, Jones' ship being so much damaged,
that she was quitted immediately, and sunk. The
English 20 gun ship was also taken by the rest of
the privateers; but all the merchantmen escaped.
The Serapis and 20 gun ship were brought into the
Texel in Holland, where it is said they are detained,
being claimed by the British ambassador as prop-
erty of his Master.
The papers also tell us that two prizes made by
the privateers, carried into Bergen, in Norway,
have been given up at the requisition of the British
resident at Copenhagen. * I must tell you that all
these vessels, both in Holland and Norway, went
into port under American colors. This is one in-
stance that will shew, (if these reports about these
vessels prove to be true,) what kind of wisdom
directed Congress to determine that ministers were
unnecessary anywhere but in France and Spain.
♦ The Union was one.
7^5
In my opinion, they are more necessary everywhere
else. * * * *
I propose to stay here as long as my finances
will enable me to do so, or until I hear from Amer-
ica, particularly from you; for there is little pros-
pect of being able to do anything beneficial in the
way of trade, while the war continues, and peace
seems further off now than it was 20 months ago;
for the late proceedings in America have kept up
in full vigor, in the King of Great Britain, the
thirst of conquering the country by arts or by force;
therefore unless some unforseen and unexpectedly
favorable occurrence takes place, I can never ex-
pect to live to see peace; for as things are conducted
it will take a long time before the particular ob-
jects of France and Spain can be accomplished, —
which being done, if America is not totally ruined
and depopulated, she may shift for herself.* — My
* ''In my opinion unless Dr. Franklin is speedily removed,
and an honest, sensible man in his room ; and, on your part,
you show more independence in spirit than is to be found in
some of your late proceedings, America must be ruined, and
become the prize of the successful combattant in Europe. This,
you may be assured, is the secret butt of the politics on both
sides.
" Ireland, in our day, is a lamentable example of a very great
and powerful Republic being ruined and losing both its liberty
and independence by suffering a powerful foreign state to inter-
fere, by intrigue and cabal, under the mask of friendship, in the
appointment, and changing the great officers of the Republic.
" I send you 8 Parliamentary registers, by Mr. Izard, of the
766
whole family join me in sincerest love to you, our
sister and all the children.
Adieu & always believe most aflFec*?^ yours.
P. S. Remember that the political sentiments
&c. contained herein, are only for your perusal and
Loudon's, but not to be communicated to any one
else, as coming from me.
I just hear that the combined fleets are sailed
from Brest, and Sir Charles Hardy, with the British
fleet, ab^ 40 sail of the line is sailed from Portsmo:
so that your son may possibly carry you the news
of an import^ sea engagement, that may hasten a
peace.
last session of Parliament, from which you will receive much
entertainment, if you have not seen them before. I wish most
heartily, that America, by a bold exertion may finish her war
before the Spring, for if this is not done, be not surprized to see
the better half of Europe in arms against us before 12 months
pasd over. I this moment see by the English papers what a
hopeful pair [Jay and Carmichael] Congress has sent to Spain
to complete the business. Gov. Johnstone should be sent in the
same capacity to Versailles and M^ Silas Deane as his secre-
tary. How will poor America escape from such hands ? Let
me hear from you soon. My love to you all." WUliatn Lee
to R. H. or F, L, Lee, 30 November, 1779.
''I^igges writes from London that the differences between
the Lees and Franklin and Deane were turned against the first
from their families being generally in opposition to Washing-
ton.** William Lee to Arthur Lee, 8 December, 1779. Some
remarkable letters on these appointments are given in the
Works of John Adams, ix., 486, et seq.
767
S. THORPE.
Antwerp, i December, 1779.
I just hear that the packet for England is going,
which gives me a moment's time to acknowledge
the receipt of your favor of the 23d. ulto. It was
never my desire or intention to keep from the good
people of Aldgate Ward that charge which they
intrusted me with, one moment after I knew their
wishes on the subject. Therefore it will be per-
fectly agreeable to me that you should put the
gentlemen of the Common Council in possession of
the resignation I sent you last year. If you have
any objection to this, let me know it, and tell me
what mode you desire should be adopted, for I
shall be happier when entirely clear of every public
charge than I can be in one, in the present situa-
tion of things. 'Tis certainly commendable to love
one's country, and I am sure you not only do that,
but you love justice and humanity. * * *
TO WILLIAM LEE.
London, 3 December, 1779.
Sir:
We have greatly lamented your long absence from
lis, and the consequent necessary omission of the vari-
ous duties of this Ward, which you discharged entirely
to our satisfaction, during your residence here. We
enclose you very unwillingly the resolutions of the
Wardmote last St. Thomas's Day, for we have till
768
lately entertained the fond hope of a reconciliation be-
tween the mother country and her colonies. From
that flattering expectation, which we entertained in
common with every good Englishman, we now are
forced, with much reluctance, to depart : the necessity
of that unhappy circumstance, at present superseding
every other consideration, the connection between us
must now be dissolved. It is with pain we reflect on
this business, but we shall always retain a grateful
memory of your services as our Alderman. We have
only farther to desire that your answer to us may in-
close a letter of resignation to the Lord Mayor, and
Court of Aldermen, as Alderman of Aldgate Ward.
We are, sir, &c.
J. Bellet, J. Partridgb, Deputy,
Thos. Hoi^dsworth, S. Thorpb,
G. Heath, Cha. Lincoi^n.*
* "A Court of Aldermen is to be held at Gmldhall on Tues-
day next, when it is expected that the resignation of Alderman
Lee will be accepted ; and a day appointed for holding a ward-
mote for the election of another Alderman in his room. We
cannot help taking notice of the illiberal reflection thrown on
that gentleman in a morning paper of yesterday, when it is
considered that Mr. Lee is a native of America.
" To a man bom and educated in that country, it would be an
unpardonable crime to continue to live under and support that
government, who have been attempting to ruin and enslave the
state that gave him birth ; he who possesses the liberal senti-
ments of an Englishman, will applaud the patriotic virtue of a
Lee ; but the man that is a stranger to those exalted ideas, we
pity rather than condemn. " General Adz/ertiser and Morning"
Inleiligencer (hondon), ii December, 1779.
The meeting was held on Wednesday (not Tuesday) and the
769
TO ARTHUR LEE.
Pkankfort, 24 December, 1779.
I got the Carolina letter safe. You had my
answer to Mr. N . The Guernsey plan is dan-
gerous, and after all might turn out an ignis
fatuus, at any rate 'tis more than probable 142
would know the whole from D.
'Tis strange we are kept so much in the dark
about their proceedings in America. What Ct.
D'Estaing can do in the West Indies, we are at a
loss to conjecture, but he will certainly be for-
tunate if the foggy weather prevents his meeting
with Byron who is much stronger.
I beg to know if supplies of clothing, &c., have
been sent for the use of the Continental army this
winter, and next campaign ; without this we must
suflFer greatly. I suppose you are properly in-
formed of the determinations in England, of which
advice should be given to America by various
opportunities. The troops now in contemplation
to send from England are y? i and 2 battalions of
Royals, 3, 11, 13, 19, 25, 30, 32, 36 and 39 Regi-
Lord Mayor "informed the Court, that he had received a me-
morial from several of the inhabitants of the ward of Aldg^te,
respecting the election of an Alderman of that ward, in the
room of William Lee, Esq.; who is gone to reside in America.
The court were unanimously of opinion that they had no right
to interfere in the business. Mr. Lee must resign his gown,
which resignation we hear is every day expected.'* Do,^ 16
770
ments, from Ireland the i8, 66 and 67 Regiments,
in all 14 regiments which may make about 5 or
6000 men ; tho' the embarkation of these troops is
not absolutely decided, as to time and place, yet
'tis very certain that they intend to carry on an
oflFensive war next year against America, from
which nothing will prevent them but the Ameri-
cans taking advantage of Clinton's present weak-
ness, and driving him out of New York or Rhode
Island, before he gets reinforced. No new troops
will go from this country, and I believe not near
the number requisite to recruit the German corps
now in America. Some few hundred recruits may
possibly be sent.
If France attends to that point and will intercept
the troops in their passage from Ireland (for they
will most probably set out from Cork with provis-
ions) to America, the next Campaign may finish
the war. I have seen a letter here that mentions
Mons. Monthieu, Beaumarchais, &c., are sending
out 4 frigates, the Fier Roderigue, Drake and two
others, with several other vessels loaded with mer-
chandize &c., for America, and that Mr. J. Wil-
liams goes Supercargo of the fleet. I do not find
that any here will be concerned in this expedition,
but I wish to know if any part is on account of
Congress or the State of V a. The Courrier de
1' Europe we never see here, so that we have no
American accounts of what has passed there in
«:
771
September and October. There is not the least
probability of Peace this winter in Germany, and
the politics of the North, I am quite clear have em-
braced England, which has encouraged the Minis-
try to go on with the war. If France and Spain
proceed on presumption of this, I will answer for it
that she will not be deceived. Our love to you all.
Adieu.
TO MR. DEPUTY PARTRIDGE AND THE REST OF
THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE WARD OF
AXDGATE, LONDON.
BRUXBUfBS, 24 December, 1779.
CeniUtnen:
On my return from a journey, I had the honor
of receiving your favour of the 3d instant, inclos-
ing the proceedings at the Wardmote, in Aldgate
Ward, December 21, 1778, and desiring that my
answer may inclose a letter of resignation, as Al-
derman of Aldgate Ward, to the Lord Mayor and
Court of Aldermen. The inclosed letter to his
Lordship and the Court, will shew you, that above
thirteen months ago I sent a letter of resignation
to the Lord Mayor, &c., which unfortunately has
not come to hand, otherwise the proceedings of the
Wardmote would not have taken place, nor would
you have had the trouble of again inclosing them
to me.
ments, from '. . iibm_ — ' **"*• you will also assure
in all 14 regi. ^i^M the Ward of Aldgate, that
6000 mcD; til'. ^ .a^aA the trust which you and
not absolute^. . ^ummhm- to coofcr npoa me, at a
'tis very cert... ^M^had I not been informed that
offnisive w^.,.,;^ :■««. otttnzy to your and their
which nothi;.^, ^aam canfirmed to me by your
cans takin};
ness, and di. ^ .iwoHStttresistible necessity, aris-
Island, befL ^ milidhlr vengeance with which
will go fro: ...^iKiMtt of mj conntry is pursued,
the number ;^<0l mt fiom a post in which your
now in Am. iragiw ptand me, and in which I
possibly bL ^{ppiMI»«f co-operating with men
If Franc: ..jk atti la c ocT u ptible virtue, in de-
the troops o :tbectr «■! tiie constitution, which
will most . A'Aogfy llnaded. Bat the eagerness
ions) to . ,■ .^Avage tli^"*, and unfeeling mer-
the war. ^eu hlN^ and excited to the de-
Mons. >: Lfiica, bj eireiy species of teachery
out 4 fri M^ uaiAl it impossible for me to
others, v lulerUJBKniDicnt, thus capable
chandizi vilest&aHH, for the most flagi-
liams g<
that air ,1 la^bAtidknis arts, such i
but I \ ha >B|knte determination to
Congn- aflM^tft misery and ruin of
TEuro; ng ^Bfe never before dis-
Ameri' >f if^L It remained for a
772
I beg to be assured, and that you will also assure
the worthy Freemen of the Ward of Aldgate, that
I should have resigned the trust which you and
they had the goodness to confer upon me, at a
much earlier period, had I not been informed that
such a measure was contrary to your and their
wishes, which is now confirmed to me by your
joint letter.
Nothing but the most irresistible necessity, aris-
ing from the implacable vengeance with which
the utter destruction of my country is pursued,
could have forced me from a post in which your
honorable suffrages placed me, and in which I
have had the happiness of co-operating with men
of the most pure and incorruptible virtue, in de- ^
fence of public liberty and the constitution, which
have been so daringly invaded. But the eagerness
with which the savage Indians, and unfeeling mer-
cenaries, have been hired, and excited to the de-
vastations in America, by every species of teachery
and barbarity, has made it impossible for me to
live any longer under a government, thus capable
of employing the vilest means, for the most flagi-
tious purposes.
Such unprincipled and perfidious arts, such in-
exorable cruelty, such a desperate determination to
hazard everything to effect the misery and ruin of
a distant, and offending people, never before dis-
tinguished the worst of wars. It remained for a
773
combination of them all, to characterize a Scotish
war under a Scotish favourite^ waged against the
principles of English liberty. In such a situation
of things, I could not disgrace the name I bear, nor
prove myself unworthy of the confidence you have
been pleased to place in me, by refusing to lend my
feeble aid in so just and necessary a resistance to
those who are impiously invading the rights of
human nature, and of my country.
I have endeavoured, gentlemen, to execute the
office, with which you honoured me, with the
strictest fidelity, as long as it was consistent with
my principles, and the circumstances already men-
tioned, for me to remain among you, and I return
it, with the highest gratitude for your past favours,
and the sincerest wishes for your happiness.
I must particularly request of you, Mr. Deputy,
and Gentlemen of the Common Council, to accept
my warmest thanks, for the very obliging terms in
which you have expressed your entire approbation
of my conduct as your Alderman, during my resi-
dence among you, which is a most ample reward
for my endeavours to serve you, and to defend the
rights of the good Freemen of the Ward of Aldgate,
in which, however, my efforts would have had very
little effect, if they had not been uniformly sec-
onded by so firm and able a Common Council as I
had the pleasure of acting with.
I have the honour to be with the highest respect
774
and consideration, Gentlemen, your much obliged
and grateful servant.*
TO ARTHUR LEE.
Bruxbi,i,BS, 29 January, 178a
Dear Brother:
I have received yours of the 22d. with the ac-
count of the snuffbox presented on the part of his
most Xtian Majesty. Your scruples about receiv-
ing it were certainly just, but I do not know how
you cou'd have refused it, without giving signal
offence to his Majesty, which shou'd by all means
be avoided, as I think it essentially necessar>' to
cultivate a good understanding and harmony be-
tween his Majesty and your constituents by every
fair and honorable means in your power. Your
judgment cannot easily be deceived, and therefore
* Lee*s resignation was not laid before the Court tiU January
I9tli, when it was at once accepted, and the foUowing Friday
fixed for a Ward mote to be held at Ironmongers' Hall. John
Bumell was chosen without opposition, and by a majority of
twelve, the freemen of the ward gave a vote of thanks to Lee,
''the late Alderman."
" There is like to be as warm a contest for the Aldermanship
of Aldgate Ward, in the room of William Lee, Esq ; (who has
resigned) as ever was known. There are no less than seven
Candidates which have already started, and were yesterday
morning canvassing the ward, all of whom declare they are de-
termined to stand the poll.'' London Chronicle ^ 15 January,
1780.
775
you will know how to appreciate civilities; but I
suppose some kind of letter will accompany the
box, that will show clearly the intention of the
giver. I have conversed with our friend here on
the subject, and we are both of opinion that you
should not write to Congress or anybody in Amer-
ica about it, but carry the box with you and lay it
on the table of Congress at your first audience, re-
lating the facts plainly as they are, for without a
particular and express resolution of Congress on the
subject, I do not conceive that you can with pro-
priety keep it
Mr. Izard will tell you the state of aflFairs in
Holland, where there is great room for political
negotiation, as well as in the courts of the north.
Since Mr. I. left us I have not heard anything
from the enemy's country. We beg our compli-
ments to all friends with you, and send you our
love. Farewell.
P. S. Do you know y? Baron Breteuil, or do
you wish to have a letter of introduction to him ?
He is worthy of every attention in my opinion.*
^Addressed, A Monsieur Lee, Hotel Vendome, Rue des petits
Augustins, Fauxb^ St Germain, Paris.
When taking leave of the French ministry, Arthur Lee was
presented by the King, a gold snuff box, bearing his Majesty's
picture set with diamonds. "As you may imagine, I was em-
barrassed about receiving or refusing it. He [Arthur Lee] told
the minister that he believed it was contrary to the rules of
those he had represented to receive any present The Count
776
TO RICHARD HENRY LEE.
Bruxbi«i,BS, 15 February, 1780.
My dear Brother:
A few days ago only I received your favor dated
i^ Aug^ from Chantilly, which is all that I have re-
ceived from you since June 1778, and not one from
London since 1777.
This letter came to me from Bilboa, and I sup-
pose was bro^. by MT John Adams, who arrived in
the Sensible^ French frigate, at Corunna, two
months ago from Boston. This gentleman was
not got to Paris the 9^^ irist, tho' he arrived at
Bordeaux some time last month.*
The letters you refer me to written from Phila-
delphia, have never come to my hands, dnd I can't
help supposing that most, if not all my letters, for
near two years past, both to Congress and yourself,
have been some how or other intercepted or kept
back, as well as your letters to me.
Your letter covered Ellis's account current from
March to June 1779, balance in my favor ;^4,i26.-
II. You say ;^54o8.i6 has been paid to our
answered that this was a mark of his Majesty's esteem, and was
never refused. Upon that it was accepted, with a resolution of
leaving it at the disposal of Congress after it had served as a
proof to that body of the nntruth of what had been reported to
them of your friend having given [offence] and being odious to
this court'* Arthur Lee to William Lee^ 22 January, 178a
*Adams with Dana and Thaxter reached Paris on the 9th.
777
brother F. L. L. for me. This is the only account
I have received relative to the estate, since that
you sent me from Williamsburg in January 1778.
I fear from a resolution of Congress in July last
published in the Gazettes, that the interest on the
few dollars lent before March 1778, will no longer
be paid in bills on Paris.* If it should be paid in
bills, tho' the amount is small, it will be of great
service at this time, when the possible means of
giving bread to my family is not clear to me, for
more than a short time, and it is almost impossible
to transport them now to America, where I mean to
transport myself as soon as I can find a practicable
opportunity, unless some proper employment
should occur in Europe, of which I see no prospect
at present Whatever you determine about the es-
tate, whether to sell or not, I hope will turn out for
the best; I see no political objection with respect
to me personally, because the inclosed Gazette will
shew you, that I have made myself more free, than
it was in the power of Congress to make me; there-
fore the only consideration is, which will be the
most advantageous, on which I cannot determine,
being utterly unacquainted with the actual present
situation, and future prospect of things with you.
Copies of the inclosed paper, I dare say, will not
easily find their way to America, through France,
* Journals of Congress, 29 June, 1780.
778
as the undertrappers of Deane's faction will wish to
keep, as long as they can, the only popular subject
of making me ungracious to my countrymen.
You remember that Governor Henry, and the
council of Virginia in 1777, appointed me agent for
the state of Virginia. I have not received any
letters from him or anybody else about this busi-
ness since May 1778, tho' I have written frequently,
and so has my brother from Paris. He has re-
quested of you, and so have I, which I do again, to
endeavor that remittances be made speedily, to an-
swer the engagements we have made in France, on
account of the state; a full state of which has been
repeatedly sent to the Governor. This seems now
more necessary than ever, for I have just received
a letter from one of the first merchants in France,
of which the following is an extract
** Feby 10, 1780. Sundry people of Nantes wrote me
that Mr Penet, formerly a West India ship's surgeon,
had written that he was appointed agent for the state
of Virginia, likewise superintendent of the whole
commerce of that state in France. I have found that
choice very surprising."
Perhaps others are as much surprised as this
gentleman; however, these days are big with won-
ders. * * * *
779
TO JOHN ADAMS.
Bruxbi^i^ES, 17 March, 178a
Dear Sir:
I understand that our enemies have now in con-
templation the offering of some terms to America,
which go no farther than a truce; probably some-
what similar to the propositions made last year by
Spain to Great Britain. *
Though I am not informed of the terms of peace
with which you are charged, nor whether your
powers are discretionary, I trust you will not think
it an intrusion in me to offer my sentiments on
a proposition as a truce for America, supposing it
should be made.
A truce with America must, of course, accom-
* " I can never suppose this country so far lost to all ideas of
self-importance as to be willing to grant America independence ;
if that could even be universally adopted, I shall despair of this
country being ever preserved from a state of inferiority, and
consequently falling into a very low class among the European
states. If we do not feel our own consequence, other nations
will not treat us above what we esteem ourselves. I hope never
to live to see that day, for, however I am treated, I must love
this country." The King to Lord Norths 7 March, 1780.
It is, however, not a little curious that in his " secret ** letter
{**pour vous seul**) to Lord North, dated i December, 1780,
Necker proposed a truce, during which the belligerents in
America were each to remain in possession of the territories
they then held. George III. rejected the proposal, holding that
"independency of the colonies, whether under its apparent
name or a tmce, is the same in reality."
78o
pany a peace in Europe ; in that case, our enemies,
after recovering from their present exhausted state,
having their hands clear of European troubles,
would have their whole strength to employ against
America ; for, I conceive, that with such a pros-
pect before them, there would not be the most dis-
tant probability of agreeing on a peace before the
expiration of the truce.
In America we must keep up a great military
and naval establishment to prevent our being
taken by surprise, at nearly as great an expense as
we are now at in war, and besides risk the dreadful
misfortunes which have almost universally at-
tended standing armies and a heavy load of debt
on the state. I cannot suppose it possible that
France and Spain would consent to a truce with
America while the war is to continue between
Great Britain and them ; but if they should, would
it be wise in America to accept of a truce on such
terras, and to let our allies run the hazard of being
destroyed, that we may become an easy prey
afterwards?
These are some of the evident objections to a
truce in any shape, nor can I see any possible
argument in its favor, though I know there are
some Americans, though well-intentioned, but
visionary geniuses, whose heads run much on the
idea of a truce; but I hope nothing will be attended
to, unless they are fair, open, and honorable propo-
78i
sitions for a substantial and lasting peace, in which
blessed work I most heartily wish you speedy and
full success.
The Dutch are in a very disturbed state ; as yet
there does not seem to be a probability of their
taking a decided and open part with us in the war.
The influence and power of the Prince of Orange
are unfortunately too great to permit them to adopt
those measures which their honor and interest
direct, and which, I believe, a great majority of
the people wish.* The Prince is retained against
us by the flattering prospect of marrying his
daughter to the Prince of Wales ; but in Europe,
where every thing is bought and sold, France and
Spain may do great things ; for the confidant and
director of the Prince is as mercenary a wretch as
can be found in England, or even in Scotland.
We shall probably see Mr. Laurens here on his
way to Holland ; but if he does not pass through
this town, I shall be much obliged to you for
giving me any interesting public intelligence that
he brings.
Be pleased to present my respects to Mr. Dana ;
and if I can be of any service here in promoting
* In January 1780 a Dutch fleet, laden with naval stores for
France, and convoyed by Count Bylandt, was met by a British
squadron under Admiral Fielding. An attempt of the English
to search the vessels was resisted, a contest followed, and some
of the Dutch ships were taken.
782
the great work you have in hand, or in rendering
any services to our country, I shall be always
happy in receiving your commands, being with
great esteem &c.
TO WILUAM LEE.
Paris, March 2i8t, 1780.
Dear Sir:
I have just received your favor from Brussels of the
17th of this month, and I thank you for this instance
of your attention to me.
Considering the state of Ireland and the spirit that
seems to be rising in England, which has already
attained such a height as to baffle the Minister and the
East India Company, and to carry many votes in the
House of Commons almost to a balance with him, and
even some against him, I ^ould not be at all sur-
prised, if terms, such as you mention, should be offered
to America; nor should I be surprised if another
rumor, which has propagated at the Palais Royal this
day, should prove true, that a great change is made or
to be made in the Ministry, and that the Lords Shel-
bume and Rockingham, Burke, &c., are in. Yet I
have no proper accounts of either.
Whatever may be my powers or instructions, or
whether I have any or not, I am very much obliged to
you for your sentiments on such a proposition as a
truce for America, supposing it should be made.
Your arguments are of great weight, and will un-
doubtedly be attended to by every one, whoever he
783
may be, who shall be called to give an opinion upon
such a question. You will not expect me at present to
give, if it is proper for me even to form, any decided
opinion upon it. Yet this much I may venture to say,
that having had so long an experience of the policy of
our enemies, I am persuaded, from the whole of it, if
they propose a truce, it will not be with an expectation
or desire that America should accept it, but merely to
try one experiment more to deceive, divide, and seduce,
in order to govern.
You observe that the heads of some well-intentioned,
though visionary, Americans run much upon a truce.
I have seen and heard enough to be long since con-
vinced that the Americans in Europe are by no means
an adequate representation of those on the other side of
the water. They neither feel nor reason like them in
general. I should, therefore, upon all occasions hear
their arguments with attention, weigh them with care,
but be sure never to follow them when I knew them to
differ from the body of their countrymen at home.
You say the Dutch are disturbed. Do you wonder
at it? They have been kicked by the English as no
reasonable man would kick a dog. They have been
whipped by them as no sober postillion would whip a
hackney coach horse. Can they submit to all this
upon any principle which would not oblige them to
submit if the English were to bombard Amsterdam or
cut away their dykes?
I wish I knew the name of the principle confidant
and director of the Prince, whom you name.*
*Dake of Brunswick, brother to Prince Ferdinand, Field
MTHhftl and commander in chief of the Dutch land forces.
784
I am very anxious to hear of the arrival of Mr.
Laurens, but suspect you will hear it first. Mr. Dana
returns his respects to you.
I thank you, sir, for your offers of service ; nothing
can oblige me more than to communicate to me any
intelligence of the designs of our enemies, in politics or
war, and their real and pretended forces by sea and
land. Pray, what is the foundation of the story of a
quintuple alliance between Holland, Sweden, Russia,
Prussia, and Denmark ?
I am sir, with great esteem, your humble servant,
John Adams.
TO SAMUEL W. STOCKTON.
Bruxbi«i«BS, 21 March, 1780.
Dear Sir:
I have just received from our mutual friend at
Amsterdam your obliging letter of y? 14th No-
vember, which gave me very great pleasure, tho'
it is very long since y^ I heard of your safe arrival.
You will no doubt give me some credit, since you
have found things where you are so much like
what you know, above 12 months ago, I judged
they would be.
Your friend, I hear from various quarters, has
been true and steady to the good cause, tho' his
name does not appear in my particular favor; but
y* part Mr. J. Dickinson has taken, I confess, sur-
prizes me. If you are acquainted with him, I beg
785
you will give my particular respects to him, and
tell him my esteem for him is not abated, from y?
part he has taken with S. D., because I am con-
vinced y? he must have been most strangely de-
ceived, otherwise it is incredible that a man of his
good sense, & as I believe goodness of heart, could
have stept forth y? champion of one of y^ worst
men I ever knew, who has neither Honor, Repu-
tation, or Property to lose, but every thing to gain
by public confusion, the ruin and misery of his
country.*
[ t ] has been much offended at what has
passed, and was near too fatally showing that he
* " I was much concerned to see the Sieur Dickinson, who
some years ago made such a conspicuous figure among the
American patriots, represented in the Gazette of Cologne as be-
ing now in Congress, and exerting all his talents and address,
to bring America again under subordination of Great Britain.
Mentioning this yesterday to an intelligent American that has
spent some time in this city, and honors me with his acquaint-
ance, he told me that Mr. Dickinson had exerted himself
against the Declaration of Independence, and that his warmth
on that occasion had rendered him suspected at that time to
his county, and obliged him to quit Congress. But since that,
finding a British party growing strong, headed by Mr. R. Mor-
ris, and very imprudently patronized by the first French minis-
ter, whom they had most grossly imposed upon, Mr. Dickinson
had returned to Congress, and might very possibly be pursuing
his old system, and endeavoring to get your independency de-
feated." William Lee to Arthur Lee^ 15 May, 1780.
fA blank in the original; perhaps the King of Prussia is
meant
786
was of importance enough to have some represen-
tative to him. But fortunately for us, the prospect
of some rupture about P[o]l[an]d has restrained
him, which also keeps R[ussi]a quiet, that would
otherwise infallibly by this time, have been openly
against us; thus it seems, that we shall not have
any more European enemies this year than we had
before. Mr. J[a]y and his trusty Squire do not
seem to have been received with such open arms as
they expected ; however as they are charged with
terms highly beneficial to one, and oppressive to
the other, there is no doubt of their being received;
and if there is any stuff io be fingered, I will answer
for both of them sticking like leeches to y? charge.
You know that another is to reap the harvest from
the seed we sowed at Aix. In Holland they have
been for some time in great political fermentation
in consequence of y? English taking their fleet of
men of war under convoy of a Dutch admiral and
merchantmen, in y? channel, and carrying them
all into Portsmouth, where y? cargoes of y? mer-
chantmen have been all condemned (tho not con-
traband), and the men of war permitted to return
home. The States General have issued some
spirited resolutions and 'bove 50 men of war
(chiefly frigates) are to be fitted out in the spring;
but it will end in smoak, for y^ monied men, it is
supposed, have ventured above two millions ster-
ling in y? last English loan of 12 millions, where y?
787
gain was too great to be refused by a D[utchina]n.
For y? standing interest is near 6 per cent, and y?
subscribers already gain 7^ to 75^ per cent on sell-
ing, tho' the loan has not been settled a month.
And, alas! the P. of O. expects to marry bis
daughter to the P. of Wales. ***♦♦♦♦
TO JOHN ADAMS.
Brussels, 30 March, 1780.
Dear Sir:
I have had the honor of receiving yours of the
2ist instant. The name of the person you wish to
know, is the Duke of Brunswick, brother to Prince
Ferdinand, Field Marshall and Commander in
Chief of the Dutch land force. He is not liked by
his family, as they conceive he is too much at-
tached to the House of Austria.
The quintuple alliance that you mention, I con-
ceive, is only the conjecture of some politicians; for
there is not in fact any solid appearance of the
Dutch resenting like men or an independent nation
*"G. Plater writes to I[zard?], the general purport of
A[dam]s* mission, and says, *I refer you for particulars to my
fnend C[ar]m[ichae]l.' This heavy man is uncle to F. L. L.,
but of an understanding of a right size for C[ar]m[ichae]l or
D[ean]e, to play with, as a cat does with a dead mouse. He
has, however, great property, likes the bottle, and any one that
will laugh or grin." William Lee to Arthur Lee^ 24 March,
1780.
788
the cruel injuries and insults (that would be intoler-
able to any other people) which they have received
from the English. The Prince of Orange, the
better to deceive, and perhaps reflecting on the fate
of DeWitt, pretended to resent highly the insult
offered to his flag; but you will agree with me that
it must be only a pretence, when you know that
Admiral Byland is to be honorably acquitted; and
in consequence it is expected that the best Captain
in the Dutch navy will resign.
I hope you did not construe my last into any de-
sign of drawing from you any of the secrets of your
mission, for, believe me, I have no such curiosity,
being quite satisfied with that information respect-
ing it, which the world is, and has been a long
time, in possession of; and besides, I know too
well how extremely necessary circumspection and
secrecy are to procure success to a negotiation. *
*Adams wished to throw the gage to the English ministry by
annooncing his powers direct to them ; but Vergennes thought
it more prudent not to communicate them to any person what^
ever, and especially to guard against a premature knowledge of
them reaching the English government (24 February, 1780.)
Chafing under inaction, Adams urged upon the minister in July,
a publication of his powers, but Vergennes was still of opinion
that such a measure would be inopportune, and informed him
of what the French court had done in aid of America. Still far
from being convinced, Adams imprudently undertook to criti-
cise the policy and programme of the French court, and Ver-
gennes abruptly closed his correspondence.
789
Diffidence and distrust of an enemy are always
warrantable, but particularly so when one has had
repeated experience of their duplicity and treach-
ery; the fatal experience of the Dutch in the nego-
tiations at Gertruy den berg, as well as many other
examples, teach us that distrust and resentment
should not be carried to unreasonable length.
A great and good man has wisely observed that
the best time to make peace is, when your enemy
wishes for it; and I hope that the aflfairsof Ireland,
with vigorous and well-directed operations on our
part this campaign, will reduce our enemies to wish
for peace in earnest before this year ends; although
they seem to be getting the better of the opposition
at home, which, it appears, they are determined to
do, either by fraud or violence, as the papers will
tell you how narrowly the life of Lord Shelburne
has escaped one of the Scotch assassins. *
With infinite pleasure, I shall communicate to
you what information I may receive in my retire-
ment, of the nature you require; but I apprehend
that a few hundred pounds sterling per annum,
properly applied, might procure you such intelli-
gence as would be worth millions to America; for,
in our enemies* quarters, everything goes by pur-
chase and sale; therefore, it was high time for us
to have done with them.
* Shelburne was wounded in a duel fought on the 22d March,
with a Mr. Pnllarton.
790
We have no intelligence of the arrival of Mr.
Laurens, though there are letters which mention
his being embarked.
The Spaniards will do well to keep a watchful
eye on the buccaneering expedition now preparing
in England against their possessions in South
America. I have the honor &c.
TO ARTHUR LEE.
Anvbrs, 9 April, 1780.
Dear Sir:
I hope this will reach you before your embark-
ment on the great water, as it conveys to you the
fervent wishes of myself and household, for your
speedy and happy arrival in your own country,
where if your rewards are equal to your merits,
they will still not be greater than I wish you, or
than I am sure you deserve.
The Gentleman at Madrid cannot meet with
many difficulties there, since the Independance of
America was publicly proclaimed by beat of drum,
at New Orleans the 19*^ of last August ; but I un-
derstand that the secretary, MT Carmichael, has
written to Paris, that he went to Madrid first, to
prepare the way for MT Jay, which had occasion 'd
him an infinite deal of fatigue, in so much that he
had not slept for 4 nights ; however he had at last
surmounted all the difficulties, and MT Jay was
791
to make his entry into Madrid the 13V* of last
month. *
I send you No. 27 of the Courier de Bas Rhine.
The letter said to be authentic, written from Phila-
delphia, is said to have been furnished to the
editor of this gazette by a MT Dumas, agent for
DoctT Franklin at the Hague, and who it is re-
ported, expects to be appointed charg^ des affaires,
for the United States of America, in Holland, f
An American gentleman here, supposes that the
letter, if 'tis genuine, was written by M^ Silas
Deane.
The Empress of Russia has declared to the
ambassadors of Prance, Spain and Great Britain,
that she is determined to keep a strict neutrality
in the present war; and to maintain that neutrality
and the general freedom of commerce, by a great
part of her naval force : that all neutral ships shall
not only sail unmolested on the high seas, but on
the coasts, and into, and out of, the ports of the
* There is nothing of this anxiety in CarmichaeVs letters
printed in the DiplomaHc Correspondence of the Revolution^ V.,
17. Jay's instructions to Carmichael are printed in the same
series, IV., 148. Carmichael did report "a tedious and dis-
agreeable journey." He wrote to Jay on the i8th of February :
"Mr. Arthur Lee corresponded with the Count de Florida
Blanca, but if I am well informed, the correspondence consisted
of American news on the one part, and compliment on the
other."
fSee the letter to Arthur Lee, 24 April, 1780, post.
792
parties at war; that free ships shall make free
goods, unless in articles of contraband, conform-
able to the stipulations of her Treaty with Great
Britain.*
On these principles she had applied to Sweden,
Danemark, Holland and Portugal, publicly to
enter into a league with her, which no doubt they
will do.
The associations in England, recommended by
the meeting of deputies, from the several county
committees, seem to be generally approved; but
still the Parliament seems to be at the beck of the
ministers; tho' we shall be able to form a better
judgment on this head, when we know what has
been done the 6th of this month, which was fixed
for taking the county petitions into consideration, f
In Ireland the people are by no means satisfied
with their free trade, notwithstanding the addresses
of their two houses of Parliament; they demand a
free constitution totally independent of the British
Parliament, and this they will have if the war
continues.
*This declaration was issued 8 March, 1780, (N. S.) In addi-
tion to the principles mentioned by Lee, two others were as-
serted : that contraband are arms and ammnnitions of war, and
nothing else ; and that no port is blockaded nnless the enemy's
ships, in adequate number, are near enough to make the entry
dangerous.
tSee Donne., George the Thirtts Letters to Lord North, II,
292.
793
Not a word of what has become of Clinton, but
it appears by the secret orders on board the trans-
port driven into England, that the general rendez-
vous was at Tybee.
Walsingham was waiting at S*. Helena for a fair
wind, the 2? ins* with the West India fleet; he
will have 6 ships of the line and 6,(XX) troops; it is
given out in England, that he goes first to Africa,
and from thence to the West Indies, but some sus-
pect that he goes directly to North America, for he
certainly carries out the recruits for the several
regiments now in America.* * * *
* Signed Bn de Bach, and addressed to Arthur Lee at
L'Orient. It was while at L* Orient that Arthur received a copy
of Carmichaers statement to Congress. John Adams'* Works^
VII., 133
Carmichael said Lee "sometimes sees things in a different
light from any one else. I have not with me a copy of the
paper which in consequence of the request of many gentlemen
in the house, I laid before Congress, but I recollect the sub-
stance of it, viz. that Mr. Lee has rendered himself disagreeable
to the Court and individuals of the French nation, and even
suspected by the former, and that I derived my knowledge of
this from those who were connected with the Court, and named
Messrs. Grand on this occasion. This, and much more, M.
Gerard and M. Holker confirmed by papers delivered either to
Congress, or members of that body, which as well as that
written by me are in private journals, or files of Congress."
Carmichael to Franklin^ 27 April, 1780.
"Mr. ? has just bro*t me C[armichael]*s Memoir e^ as he
would affectedly call it, which, on the whole, is more a pane-
gyric on himself, than a censure on you. You see by his letter
794
TO JOHN ADAMS.
BrtjxsixBS, 9 April, 178a
Dear Sir:
I thank you for your favor of the 2d. instant
The commission you have is certainly very highly
important and honorable, and I doubt not of your
executing it properly, taking care that the shafts of
of envy and malice, which have already begun to
show themselves, shall not divert your attention
to Mr. G. Grand that he is at his old game, endeavoring to
make Jay now appear a cypher, as he did Deane before, by his
letters to London. Serionsly to reflect on the proceedings in
this business, is really distressing : to admit the person as an
evidence^ who stands charged with criminal offences, by the per-
son now accused, is subverting every idea of l^al evidence that
has yet been established in any orderly society. 'Tis not sur-
prising that Bancroft should know of your going to Spain when
he was the confidant of Deane and the regular correspondent of
C ^1. You can't forget that before the date of Ridley's letter,
this gentleman had been with Johnson some time in Paris, and
had with WiUiams, lodged in the same hotel with Carmichael,
when no doubt he planned the idea of this letter, which poor
Ridley does not seem to have executed so weU as Jackson did
on the same subject after the tutoring he got from C — m — 1 at
Calais, in 1777, when the Public stands charged with about 4
guineas by C. for his expences, under the pretext of going to
get a copy of Ct Maurepas* letter to Lord Mansfield (see C ^I's
curious account against Deane).
" Why did he insult Petrie by omitting to honor him in the
list of the discontented ? who fortunately for you, make a group
of needy adventurers whose main object was to plunder the
Public in concert with Deane and CarmichaeL The ill-wiU of
the minister, I am satisfied, arose from Beanmarchais and the
795
from the great object you have in view, which I
have no reason to think at present will be speedily
accomplished. The well-known chicane and du-
plicity of our enemies will surely well warrant a
fixed determination not to treat on the most trivial
point, unless it is in writing. * * * You say
very truly that, "when a society gets disturbed,
men of great talents and great qualities are always
found or made;" for it is certain that there is
others openly concerned in the plunder of America, now he is
contented with the bills. '* William Lee to Arthur Lee^ 24
March, 1780.
"I thank you for your intelligence of the state of affairs at
home, and for the extracts of Mr. Lee*s philippics against me.
Such they were intended. But when I consider him as the
most malicious enemy I ever had (tho* without the smallest
cause), that he shews so clearly his abundant Desire to accuse
and defame me, and that all his Charges are so frivolous, so ill
founded, and amount to so little, I esteem them rather as
Panegyrics upon me and Satyrs against himself. . . •
" Mr. Adams is at Paris, with Mr. Dana. We live upon good
terms with each other, but he has never communicated any-
thing of his business to me, and I have made no Enquiries of
him. Nor have I any Letter from Congress explaining it, so
that I am in utter ignorance. . . .
" Messrs Lee and Izard are gone to L'Orient in order to em-
bark in the Alliance together, but they did not travel together
from hence. No Soul regrets their Departure : They separately
came to take leave of me, very respectfully offering their ser-
vices to carry any dispatches, &c. We parted civilly, for I
have never acquainted them that I knew of their writing
against me to Congress, but I did not give them the Trouble of
my Dispatches." Franklin to Carmichael^ 31 March, 1780.
796
always in the world, many more great men than
great occasions; but the first architect that ever
lived, could not erect a tolerable edifice with rotten
straw only. The whole mass of the people in Eng-
land is too corrupt and putrid to produce anything
in the least sound and wholesome, from the trifling
fermentation that appears at present Therefore,
in my opinion, the Irish, tho' much debauched
and profligate as to politics, are much more worthy
of attention and assurances of support than the
English. Would it not be good policy in France
to have a good stock of muskets and other military
stores lodged at Dunkirk, and other sea ports,
ready to throw into England at a short warning ?
TO RICHARD HENRY LKB.
BruxBLUBS, 13 April, 178a
I have suffered much uneasiness on your account,
since our brother A. L. wrote me from L'Orient,
that in your letter to him about the middle of
August last, you had mentioned your then being
very unwell. I know it was a trying season to
those who, like you, are subject to bilious com-
plaints, but I trust that as you were then relieved
from the infinite care and fatigues that have op-
pressed you for many years past, you would get
reinstated in health and vigor very soon. The en-
closed declaration of Russia, which is particularly
797
intended against Great Britain, must give you infi-
nite pleasure, as it must, if anything can, bring our
enemies to reason, and a serious desire of peace.
For this decisive stroke in our favor from Russia,
we are much indebted to the good oflSces of his
Prussian majesty, without whom, that court would
not have taken the steps it has done, notwithstand-
ing the seizure of a Dutch fleet, under convoy of
Dutch men of war, in the channel by the English
in January last, has been the ostensible motive for
it From the terms of the declaration, we must
conclude that all neutral trade to America (except
articles of contraband) will be protected, as well as
into the ports of France, Spain and Great Britain;
therefore one would not be surprised to see a Dutch
fleet entering into Chesapeake Bay.
I wait impatiently to hear what has been decided
about the estate, for until I know that, it is impos-
sible for me to determine on any plan of proceed-
ings for myself. These Virginians have no great
spirit of commerce; their former trade having been
carried on by British merchants, we were obliged
to make great advances to the country. Therefore
I do not suppose much would be expected from
consignments if a person was to fix with that view
in any of the French ports; but the old ideas of our
countrymen must change, or the profits on their
trade must continue to enrich strange merchants.
Maryland seems more enterprising, for there has
798
been a much greater number of vessels at Nantes
from Maryland than Virginia; so that Mr. Johnson,
agent for Maryland and brother to the late gov-
ernor, who is established there, seems to be doing
very well, and I fancy is looking forward to be con-
sul general for America in France. * * *
There is no saying how far the madness of our
enemies will carry them; but if they have one grain
of common sense, they must now make peace, as
soon as and on the best terms they can; for the
whole world seems at present to be leagued against
the King of England, 5 or 6 of his confidential
ministry, and a few hoards of their honorable and
faithful allies the Indians. The people of England
have followed the example of America, in adopting
Committees of Associations, which may produce
another revolution ; and Ireland having obtained a
free trade, which in time will render her the most
formidable rival of Great Britain in commerce,
wealth and power, the people now feeling their im-
portance and sure of indemnity from the force of
their independent companies, demand a free consti-
tution almost unanimously, and an entire inde-
pendence of G. B., which two points they will cer-
tainly obtain, if the war continues. The two Irish
Houses of Parliament have indeed, since gaining a
free trade, addressed the King in a most servile
manner, but the members of the Patriotic Party,
who had been boH off, that moved and supported
799
those addresses, have fallen into utter contempt and
disgrace with their fellow citizens, which proves
unquestionably, that the people who have now the
sword in their hands, think differently from their
Parliament, whose tone must probably change be-
fore many months expire. On the whole, of late
affairs in Europe have taken a decisive turn in our
favor, and I hope they will be as decisively for us
in America before this campaign ends, * * *
TO JOHN ADAMS.
Brx7XBI.i:«BS, 25 April, 1780.
Dear Sir :
I thank you for the intelligence contained in
your favor of the 13th, and when there are any
other arrivals from America, you will greatly oblige
me by communicating any intelligence they may
bring. I confess I am uneasy to hear from Charles-
ton, for there is no doubt of Clinton having de-
signed his principal force against that Town, as I
cannot give any credit to the surmises of some peo-
ple that the rendezvous was at Tybee, in order to be
ready for an attack on some of the Spanish posses*
sions. The infatuation of our enemies is evidently
the work of Providence; therefore, I have no expec-
tation of a speedy peace, because the measure of
their punishment is not yet full. Their frenzy is
turned into raving madness, as you will see by the
8oo
proclamation against the Dutch, which is tanta-
mount to a declaration of war, and the insulting lan-
guage used against the Russians in the ministerial
papers; therefore, as you say, we need not be, sur-
prised if they were to declare war against the whole
world. This would be a favorable minute for Mr.
Laurens, if he was in Holland, where no doubt his
prudence will direct him to examine well his
ground before he moves; for he may meet with char-
acters, both inimical and selfish, who under the garb
of patriotic, friendly zeal may endeavor to lead him
into error. The Dutch, who are so jealous of any
other nation but themselves catching a herring in
the open sea, think it not unreasonable or im-
modest to expect exclusive privileges in some part
of American trade, and an equal freedom with
others to the fishery on the banks of Newfound-
land. * * *
TO ARTHUR LEE.
Anvbrs, 24 April, 1780.
If you wait for the Alliance, I am sure this will
reach you before you sail ; for if what we hear be
true, it is probable that her operations this year will
be of as little utility to her proprietors, as those of
last year were. * It is said that Mr. I[zard] sailed
♦On the 17 June, Franklin wrote to Jones that he had infor-
mation that Arthur Lee had advised and promoted the mutiny
8oi
the 15th of this month in a frigate, but we hear
nothing of you. I sent you some time ago a Bas
Rhine Gazette, containing an extract of a letter,
said to be furnished by Dr. F — n's agent at the
Hague, Mr. D[umas]. On that subject I wrote
thus to Mr. D. :
"There has appeared in the Courier de Bas Rhine,
No. 27, April ist, 1780, a piece said to be an extract
of an authentic letter written from Philadelphia, which
begins thus : Mons, vous voulez queje vous rende campte
de vraie Hat de nos affaires, I have been informed that
this piece was furnished by you to the Editor of the
Bas Rhine Gazette, but as I know these are times in
which misinformation is too current, especially in what
concerns America, I cannot give implicit faith to such
information without it is confirmed by yourself. I
therefore presume you will not think it improper in me
to request you, that you will candidly tell me whether
you did or not furnish the editor of the B. R. with the
above mentioned piece.**
on the Alliance^ and if that were the case, and the Commodore
conceived the peace and good government of the ship during
the voyage wonld be endangered by his presence, he might
decline taking him.
"M. I^ee has been long at Orient waiting for a passage on
board the Alliance. I have yesterday received several letters
acquainting me with a mutiny on board that ship which he is
supposed to have instigated. I have obtained and sent down
orders to apprehend and imprison some of the chiefs, which I
hope will produce quiet. That restless genius, wherever he is,
must either find or make a quarrel. *' Franklin to Carmichael^
17 June, 178a
802
To this Mr. D. replies thus: —
**How a gazettier came at the piece you quote, I
know not. These gentlemen have in this country, as
well as at Paris, at London, and elsewhere, their secret
correspondents, whom they pay for gathering them all
what they can."
You can judge better than me whether this an-
swer is not evasive, and if so, whether it is not an
indirect confession. I think your good sense will
direct you to know well your ground, and consider
with calm and serious attention the situation of
aflFairs before you take any public step after your
arrival; for I am well convinced that men and
things will be found very diflFerent from what we
on this side the water might expect.
You have been before advised of the declaration
of Russia to Prance, Spain and Great Britain.
This day we receive a proclamation of the present
King of G. B. declaring that all treaties between
the states of the U. Provinces and G. B. are
vacated, and that the Dutch are from henceforth
to be treated as a neutral nation, with whom no
treaties exist, and with all the formality of a decla-
ration of war, particular periods (all short) are
fixed for this proclamation taking place in different
parts of the world. The stocks fell upon this ij4
per cent. The Dutch must now defend themselves,
or give up entirely all trade. The alternative will
not set easy on them. However they feel bold on
8o3
the declaration of Russia, and Sweden's supplying
them with 4000 sailors, and will probably decide
on vigorous measures as far as their nature will ad-
mit. They are to have twenty ships of the line
from Russia, which will be at the Texel in all June;
of their own they will have about 15 of the line,
and 30 frigates ready at the same time. Therefore
they will have strength, if they have but spirit
enough, to bring our enemies to reason. Is not
this stroke of the foolish mad king and his minis-
ters the last act of desperation ? Nothing is now
left to compleat his career, and fix him in Hanover,
but an insurrection in England and Ireland, which
seems to be ripening fast God send it quickly to
give us peace, that we may be forever quit of such
desperado pirates; for I think the people have be-
come as infamous and abandoned as their king has
ever been. * * * *
* "It is said that Mr. R. Morris is now in Congress, at which
every body is surprised, as by the confederation no person can
serve in Congress more than 3 years out of 6— Mr. Morris
having already served more than 3 years. And more par-
ticularly does it occasion surprise, as it cannot be supposed
that in America they are uninformed of what is publicly spoken
in Europe, which is, that Mr. R. Morris is universally con-
sidered as the British agent employed by Gov. Johnstone to
embarrass, distract and confound the measures of America in
her defence, and that he is furnished with the solid means of
accomplishing those purposes. A young man of his household,
only a few months ago, passed from Philadelphia to England
by the way of HoUand. The object of this voyage may be
t
8o4
TO JOHN ADAMS.
Bruxbixbs, 14 June, 1780.
Dear Sir:
I am indebted to you for your favor of the 6th.
The American vessels lately arrived in Holland do
not, that I hear of, bring any material public news,
except the last which came from Boston the begin-
ning of May, and informs us of the Marquis de la
Fayette's arrival there, and that they expected there
also Mons. de Rochambeau's army, which may be
easily conceived, especially as it was immediately afler this
young man, with some others, had been the defenders of Mr.
M. in a house in Philadelphia against the rage of his fellow
citizens last year. ['Fort Wilson riot.*] I have myself many
reasons for inducing me to believe that Mr. Morris is really the
character that most people in Europe that have ever heard of
him, suppose him, and I have no doubt that effectual proofs
would soon appear against him, if Congress was to adopt the
practice, which he used for many years against almost every
person in America, viz : of opening all letters to him and from
him. Among his brother's papers were found above 150 letters
addressed to different persons in Europe and America, that had
been opened and detained. Of this fact I have a certificate
signed by the King's officer at Nantes. How many more letters
had been opened by Mr. Morris (who it must be remembered
had learnt his profession under his brother R. M., in Philadel-
phia), and advantage taken of their contents, every person is
left to judge.** William Lee to Richard Henry Lee^ 26 April,
1780.
The charge that Morris was a British agent was apparently
based upon an extract from a letter "from a gentleman in high
office in America " dated January, 1780, and printed in the Eng-
lish papers.
>
8o5
a means of giving the enemy at N. York suflBcient
warning to put that place in the best posture of de-
fence their force will admit, and to recall Clinton
from Carolina, of whose motions these vessels do
not bring any certain intelligence. Nor do I learn
that Mr. Laurens has embarked, altho' bills have
already appeared drawn upon him in Holland by
Congress. This I do not comprehend, nor some
other public matters; therefore shall suspend my
judgment, sincerely hoping that the party, which
have already created so much distraction in Con-
gress and America, will be ultimately disappointed
in their dangerous and abominable designs. As
to Mr. Deane, I always tho't, and am now con-
vinced, that he was only made use of as a stalking
horse, to cover designs and views that his patrons
dared not openly to avow.
I cannot say what will probably be the issue of
this campaign in the West Indies, where the enemy
will be strong. Graves, with 6 ships of the line
and 3000 troops, will probably go to Jamaica,
where Sir P. Parker has 6 of the line, 2 fifty's, and
4-44 gun ships, besides frigates and about 12 or
1500 soldiers in the island. Walsingham carries
to Rodney 3000 troops, and 5 or 6 ships of the line;
and 4 others were sent separately, so that Rodney
will be very powerful, after providing a convoy for
the homeward bound fleet. But we may suppose
that Walsingham and the other ships will not get
to Rodney before the middle or end of July.
8o6
Our last English papers are only to the 6th, but
some persons who left London the 8th, on account
of the .tumults, give a flaming account of the pro-
ceedings there on the 7th. and 8th. The people
have pulled down and burnt several houses of most
of the Roman Catholic places of worship.* The
military and citizens have had some rencounters
and several lives lost on both sides. 'Tis likely,
however, that the ministry and the military will
prevail over the people, who do not seem to have
provided themselves with the proper instruments
of defense, and have the corrupted hands of what
is called the opposition, as much against them as
the King. This nation appears to me quite lost,
and that in fifty years they will be no more consid-
ered in the political scale of Europe than the Al-
gerines; but they will die hard, and we must en-
deavor to let the exertions of their dying agonies
be exercised on themselves. The Dutch seem to be
feeling some of them, and losing all their ships,
while they are differing with each other, whether
they should patiently endure or not every thing
the English please to do. The language of the
English with respect to America is as incompre-
hensible to me as it is to you, unless they are led
*The Gordon riots, which really increased the influence of
the ministers by producing a reaction in favor of authority. By
a rumor of the day, these outbreaks were attributed to French
corruption. See FrankUn*s fVorks, vii., 87,
8o7
by the ministry to give implicit confidence to their
partizans that are at large in America, and perhaps
permitted to be in Congress and posts of import-
ance.
Yon ask, will the 22 millions for next year; with
the men lost in America and the W. I. by diseases
and the chance of war; will seamen be easily found?
The 22, or even more, millions will be easily found,,
as long as the Bank of England can coin with
more facility than paper money in America, and?
while even the French as well as the Dutch,
tempted by high interest, will lend them money.
Soldiers will be found with more difficulty; but as-
long as the European powers will permit their sail-
ors to be seized on the high seas, and forced on
board the British navy, there can be no fear of
their wanting seamen. 'Tis computed by judic-
ious men, that this time full one-half of the British
navy is manned by foreigners, impressed in Eng-
land, or seized on the high seas, and forced on
board their ships of war. I sometime since men-
tioned Portugal to you, and every day proves to
me more and more the necessity of treating her as
a coadjutor with G. Britain, unless she will shut
her ports against the English men of war and pri-
vateers. Refusing to admit prizes, is only a pitiful
evasion of what she ought to do: which is to refuse
admittance to all ships of war, privateers and armed
vessels. * * *
i
8o8
TO ARTHUR LEE.
Anvbrs, 23 June, 1780.
The above extracts (viz: from General Advertiser
and J. A. to W. L.) prove a certain connection, and
that if Mr. I. does not eflFectively succeed, an ex-
cuse is ready, and the blame to be laid on another.
But if he gains anything, the whole will be attri-
buted to his superior [ ] and abilities. It seems
however that the present object of this connection
and its adherits on this side the water, is to get
Franklin removed, as Adams has his eye on the
place; while the leaders and partisans of the same
connection on the other side the water, seem to be
playing a bolder game, and levelling their attacks
directly against the Independence of America, as
may be seen in the following extract from a
Philadelphia paper. Dear Sir, the foregoing pieces
will show the great necessity for caution and cir-
cumspection in A. Lee in all his motions. Pray
tell him so, and also that Jenings is as much, nay
more, devoted to Carmichael than ever. He is at-
tached to AdamSj who flatters him,"*" and from
resentment against Franklin^^; who it is said, has
*"A gentleman from Boston tells me he heard there that
they were written by one Mr. Jenings. I wish his countrymen
knew more than they do about that same Mr. Jenings." John
Adams to Edmund Jenings ^ 23 September, 1780.
t '* 170 seems to have voluntarily undertaken the honorable
post of agent for Adams, to get all his long-winded and crude
8o9
been authorized by Congress to appoint to a certain
place (which I suspect is consul general\ and
mentioned Jenings and the examiner of accounts,
as persons either of whom might be proper. But
Franklin has not tho't so, and very possibly 142
\Rossf\ stays to exercise that oflBce. You will
easily see the management of R. Morris in this
business, and as 'tis likely 94 will not go to Hol-
land^ plots will be on foot to get Deane — iiier
\Courtierf'\ there. * * *
TO JOHN ADAMS.
BruxBI^LBS, 8 July, 1780.
I have been prevented by indisposition, other-
wise should have had the honor of writing to you
sooner, on a subject which appears to affect the
honor of America, of Congress, and of its agents in
Europe. The copy of Gen'l Clinton's letter that
was intercepted, which you sent here by Mr.
Jenings, having afterwards appeared in most of the
productions inserted in the London papers. Among this is a
history of a voyage from Corun: to P., in which Adams speaks
of the person at 102 [Madrid f] in the highest strains of praise
and commendation. I saw the original in the hand-writing of
Adams,** William Lee to Arthur Lee^ 16 June, 1780. Adams
suggested to Genet some material to be worked into the com-
munication from London. Works, vii, 155. And to Digges he
wrote a letter probably intended for publication in the English
papers. Works^ vii, 167. So that 170 is presumably Digges.
(
8io
public papers, there was a formal contradiction of
its authenticity, first in the Hague Gazette, and in-
serted in such a manner as to make the world be-
lieve that this contradiction came from Sir Jo:
Yorke, the English minister. The Leyden Ga-
zette * confirmed in some measure this contradic-
tion, in which it was followed by the Courier du
Bas Rhin, tho' it had before given the letter at
length, as having been originally published by
order of Congress. But after the intelligence of
the surrender of Charleston, this same gazetteer,
in No. 51 of June 24, 1780, positively states that
letter to have been a forger}^ and concludes in
these injurious terms: — "done it vaut mieux se
bien defendre et se bien battre, que de supposes des
lettres, qui ne peuvent abuser le public qu'un
moment, "t You must be sensible of the injury it
♦ The editor of this sheet was John Luzac.
t Adams contributed the following to the history of this letter.
It "arrived first at L*Orient, in a Philadelphia 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 America, who says it was a mere jeti d* esprit
written by an officer in the army, upon the North River. I
have been all along afraid that our couutr3rmen would at length
imitate their enemies in this kind of imposition ; and I always
thought that, whenever they did, they would be ingenious at it.
It must be agreed this is ingeniously done, and conveys a great
deal of solid truth and important instruction under this fiction.
8ii
will bring to America, and the cause of Liberty, if
the world is permitted to be impressed with the
Idea that Congress, and its agents, are base enough
to be guilty of such a mean and pitiful conduct, as
to forge and publish the grossest falsehoods as solid
truths. Mr. Dumas, who is styled by Dr. Frank-
lin and Mr. Deane the American agent at the
Hague, and who is actually paid with the money of
America, has a particular connection with the
Editor of the Leyden Gazette, and I have reason to
believe has a correspondence with the Bas Rhin.
Therefore one would naturally imagine, as it was
his duty, he would have taken some measures to
prevent such a censure on America, &c., from
spreading farther than in the small circle in which
the Hague Gazette circulates. The Bas Rhin
Gazette, as well as that of Berlin, is generally
looked on as a Prussian Court Gazette, being
printed in the Capital of the Prussian Dominions
on the Rhine, and I have no doubt, on the Prus-
sian Minister at Paris being spoke to on the subject,
a repetition of such conduct would at least be pre-
vented in the Editor of that Gazette. * * *
Yet, I cannot think the ingenuity of it a justification or excuse.
We have no need of such aids as political lies. . . . All that we
can do, is to write Congress and beseech them to suppress such
practices. The signature of Charles Thomson, hitherto sacred,
will no longer be credited, if something is not done to discoun-
tenance such abuses.'' Adams to William Lee, 20 July, 1780.
Franklin's connection may be seen in his letter to Dumas, 5
Jnne, 1780. Works, vii, 72.
e
8l2
TO SAMUEL. W. STOCKTON.
Bruxbi:.i:.BS, 9 July, 1780.
We have no advice yet of old Mr. Laurens, and
the young gentleman being a prisoner is no small
consolation to the society at Passy, where the con-
duct of the affairs of America has grown worse and
worse, until it has actually become a scandal for
any man of the least character to be in any manner
concerned with them. The supplies for the Amer-
ican army that should have been in America last
fall, are not yet shipped. The league of Sam.
Wharton, Jno. Ross, Dr. Bancroft, young and old
Jon* Williams, seem to have no other contest, but
who shall take to himself the best share of the pub-
lic money that is intrusted to Dr. Franklin, in
which sport they are most eminently assisted by
Mr. Chaumont, who has young Moylan of Phila.
as his agent at L'Orient, and young Williams at
Nantes. The proceedings of these people with Dr.
F. and Cap. P. Jones, respecting the Congress
Frigate, the Alliance, for near two years past, are
really too enormous for me to detail; but I must say
that in my opinion, it will be impossible for the
American affairs to be properly conducted in
France, while Dr. F. continues sole minister, com-
mercial agent, agent for prizes, treasurer, and in
short absolute head and proprietor of all American
pBToperty, dignity, honor and even liberty in
France. *
* *' July 30. spent the afternoon, and drank tea with Mr. W.
813
TO ARTHUR LEE.
Anvsrs, 8 October, 1780.
Dear Sir:
I am very sorry to inform you that your intended
Minister to Holland, Mr. Henry Laurens, was
taken by the English frigates on the Banks of New
Foundland and is brought Prisoner to England
where by the last accounts he is very ill, at a little
place in Devonshire, so as to be unable to be
brought to London.
The English papers give out that all his papers,
instructions and commission were taken also, but
this is not believed by those that know the arts of
duplicity of your enemies; however this seems
authentic, that General Clinton's dispatches dated
the latter end of August demand a re-enforcement
of 10,000 men, which if not sent he insisted on
being recalled. On this the King and his Council
determined that Clinton should be immediately
informed that his conduct was in all respects highly
approved, that he should have the assistance re-
quired as soon as possible. General Pawcitt is to
go immediately to Germany to make fresh con-
tracts, if he can, for new bodies of troops, and to
hasten the levying recruits for the German corps
already in America. If no assistance can be got
Lee, Mr. Jenings and his nephew, Mrs. Izard, her two daughters
and son, Mrs. I/ee and her children, and an agreeable circle of
Americans.*' John Adams'" Diary,
<
8i4
from Germany, G. B., and Ireland are to be gleaned
of all the regular troops to send to Clinton. This
is the present determination as all fear of an inva-
sion is over, since the French seem to relinquish
any such design; but what may take place if
Jamaica should be taken I cannot tell, nor can I
say whether the Dutch will defend their posses-
sions in the W. Indies or their trade, both of which
have been and continue daily to be attacked by the
English.
Portugal has at last driven the English ships of
war and Privateers from her Ports and forbid them
or their prizes to enter thpre again. The division
which was to have followed Monsieur Ternay has
not yet sailed from Brest; it is said that it is to sail
the 15th inst. but your enemies are preparing a
a large squadron of ships to follow it, either to
America or the West Indies. You will hear from
me at large by the first sure conveyance. Your
friends in this quarter are as well as the times will
admit. With high respect I remain,
Le Baron de Bach.
N. S. Take care of some Marylanders who have
been lately sent from England, as it is confidently
said, with permission to take the oaths to the pres-
ent Government, in order the more effectually to
create divisions in that State, by means of their
connections there, which are said to be among the
815
principal families in that country. Your enemies
still dream of unconditional submission only.
TO ARTHUR LEE.
Anvbrs, 17 October, 1780.
Dear Sir:
I have before given you notice that your enemies
had determined to make a strong push this fall and
next spring against North Carolina and Virginia;
and that on receiving a late demand from Genl.
Clinton, for a reinforcement of 10,000 men, other-
wise he insisted on leave to come home, the King
and his Council decided to inform Genl. Clinton,
that his conduct was in all points highly approved,
and that he should have every assistance in their
power to send him, and as soon as possible. The
vessel with this reply to Clinton, sailed from Eng-
land the loV* insi, for New York. So far you may
rely on to be true. A gentleman from Passy says,
that the Alliance was arrived at Boston, as DT F.
told him, and that Capt. Landais had been put un-
der an arrest.* We have been highly disappointed
**'In the evening [19 August, 1780], M. Gau, commandant
of artillery, who arrived from Boston, informed me that the
Alliance^ an American frigate, had just arrived. It had left
L'Orient on the 9th of July. The captain, named Landais, bom
a Frenchman, had left L'Orient without waiting for the King's
despatches. He wished to cruise, although laden with powder
which he was ordered to bring straight to Boston ; his crew,
8j6
in finding that the combined fleets in the West In-
dies have not attempted anything this campaign,
but perhaps they will not be idle in the fall and
winter.
MT Ivaurens, the minister from Congress to the
States of Holland, was taken on the Banks of New-
foundland, carried to England, and is committed to
the Tower of London, on suspicion of high treason.
His material papers were destroyed, but some let-
ters of private correspondence, on mercantile affairs,
were taken with Mr Laurens. "
Your minister, MT J. Adams, has been for some
time at Amsterdam, and the other day a member
of Congress, a MT S., passed thro' here, in his way
from Paris to Amsterdam, where it is said he is
under the guidance of Doct. F. to negotiate the
money business that M'. Laurens was to have man-
tired of hia follies and liia vexations, bad shut him up in hli
cabin and had given the command of the frigate to his mate,
Ott board were two French officers, aides-de-camp of M. de la
Fayette, and Mr. Lee, who had been a long time in France, a
deputy of the CoDgress. They told us that on the gtli of July
the body of troops which they were to send to us, and which
they called the second division, hail not yet started. Besidea
this, they gave ua no very certain news respecting the affaire of
Europe," Journal of Claude Blanchard, 56.
"Among the documents takea were copies of letters frcm
NeufviUe, Commodore Gillon, Mr. Stockton, Col. Derrick, v
8i7
aged, and some say he is to be minister in Holland
or Portugal, I know not whether he is in any
public appointment, but he travels in the style of a
public minister. *
MT Deane lives at Passy with DT B[ancroft].
These two, it seems, are in the privy council there.
Capt? Paul Jones is still at L' Orient, endeavor-
ing to fit out the Ariel, in which he has hitherto
found insurmountable difficulties.
The Northern League of Neutrality is acceded to
by Holland and Portugal, from which kingdom the
British ships of war, privateers and prizes are now
excluded.
Ten ships of the line are now about sailing from
Brest with about 5000 troops, some say to reinforce
MonsT Ternay, and others that they are for the
West Indies.
In Europe the belligerent powers are, on all
sides, busily preparing for another campaign; and
in England orders are already issued for raising 9
new regiments of foot, & one regiment of horse,
to reinforce the British Army in America; since
they have little hope of getting a fresh supply of
men from Germany. Your spirited countrymen,
will, no doubt, be prepared to repel these invaders,
* It was James Searle, a member of Congress from Pennsyl-
vania, who reached Paris, 10 September, 1780, with despatches
from Congress, and as an agent to negotiate a loan for the State
of Pennsylvania.
8i8
as triumphantly as they have hitherto done those
that preceded them.
Lb Baron de Bach.
TO ARTHUR LEE.
Bruxbixes, 6 November, 178a
Dear Brother :
I received yours from Boston of Sep? 9*.^, and am
well pleased at the determination to withhold your
complaints for the present, rather than increase the
public embarrassments by expressing them. * * *
The capture of MT Laurens (who is committed
to the tower of London for high treason, and closely
kept without the use of pen or ink, or permission
to see his friends) was doubly unfortunate, as his
papers were taken also; which has occasion'd a
memorial from the British Court to the Prince of
Orange, relative to what has passed with the
regency of Amsterdam, which he laid before the
States of Holland. The regency of Amsterdam
have avowed their proceedings, and demanded the
concurrence of the States of Holland; what turn
this business will take time must discover, but
nothing effectual can at any rate soon take place in
our favor, as there is not any body fully authorized
to act for America.
MT Adams is now and has been for some months
at Amsterdam, where he seems decided to stay the
winter.
8i9
M^ Searle is gone there; I saw him on his way
thro' this town and was surprised at his not bring-
ing me a letter from any one. From some unlucky
circumstances I had not an opportunity of getting
any material information from him relative to the
actual situation of affairs in America. By his style
of travelling and proposed manner of living in
Amsterdam during the winter, it seems clear that
he is on public, and not private business. He, it is
said, professes a devoted attachment to Franklin.
Russia, Sweden and Danemark have finally rati-
fied their treaty of the armed neutrality, on the
original plan of Russia. Portugal has acceded to
it The Emperors of Turkey and Morocco have
nearly adopted the same idea. The States of Hol-
land and Friesland have already, and it is expected
that the other 5 states of the Netherlands will very
soon accede to the Russian system, so Great Britain
has not a single ally in this part of the world, but
some of the insignificant petty princes in Germany.
The affairs in Ireland still wear a serious aspect,
but in England people grow every day more in-
sensible, and are now as contented slaves as any in
the world. The new Parliament is not a whit
better than the old; and the minister, or rather the
King, will be as absolute as ever. Norton goes
with a pension to the house of peers. * Cornwall
*By too great freedom of speech on financial reform, Sir
Fletcher Norton had given offense to the King; and Lord
820
is Speaker by a majority of 34 votes. Burke, Saw-
bridge, t Hartley, Temple, Luttrell, Cruger, Lord
George Gordon, are left out, but the two first will
be brought in by and bye.
The Parliament met the 31 ult? The King in
his speech boasts of victories in Carolina; The war
must certainly be continued another year, and
demands supplies.!
The reinforcements for America, that are to sail
as soon as possible, perhaps about Xmas, are to
consist of 9 regiments of foot, and 3 of dragoons
dismounted, to be remounted in America. The
regiments of foot, by drafts from others are to be
complete 9,000 men, and the 3 dragoons are to be
1,000 men, which in the whole is to make 10,000
complete. The great push is to be made first in
Virginia and N. Carolina; if success attends them
there, they are to advance northwards.
North, without previous notice, set him aside, '*lanienting
the precarious state of Sir Fletcher's health," although Sir
Fletcher protested that he had never been in better health.
Charles Wolfram Cornwall was elected Speaker, 203 to 134.
t Sawbridge had been much condemned for his conduct dur-
ing the Gordon riots, and lost votes for voting in favor of toler-
ating popery. Burke was defeated at Bristol, but subsequently
came in from the borough of Malton. The Parliament con-
tained 113 new members.
t The opportune news of the defeat of Gates by Comwallis,
enabled the King to put a better face to the situation than he
had hoped. The majority for the government was very lai^
and carried every measure the ministry proposed.
821
The whole exertions are to be against North
America, keeping on the defensive against France
and Spain; who are to be amused in the meantime
with negotiations, and advantageous offers (which
are never intended to be complied with,) to induce
them to desert America. This, you may be as-
sured, is the enemies plan of operations for the
ensuing year.
On our side the Spaniards hear the proposals
made to them without giving any reply; which
induces the idiot King and his roguish ministers
to think they shall succeed in dividing the allies,
as they have with their opponents at home.
The division that was to have followed M.
Ternay is still at Brest; but reported that it is to
sail in 3 or 4 weeks.
The supplies for the American Army, that
should have been sent away above 12 months ago,
are still in the ports of France; in short the man-
agement of your affairs there has gone from bad
to worse, and unless the director is speedily
changed, the consequences will be severely felt
The change in the minister of marine in France,
it is expected will invigorate their operations.
Chaumont has been lately at a stand (it is said) in
his payments, but we hear M^ Neckar will coun-
tenance him, but this is only rumor. He says his
engagements for America have hurt him, when I
know his unpaid accepted bills have been travel-
ling thro' Germany for some years past.
822
America must, as I always said, rely entirely on
her own efforts, and then she may be sure of carry-
ing her point. Think not of the conquest of
Canada, until the enemy are quite driven from the
13 States. I can't enter into the reasons for this
advice, but believe me, they are so important that
if the conquest of Canada is attempted, while you
have a single enemy within your boundaries, the
consequences will be fatal. MonsT Rochambeau
and his troops should be instantly ordered to Vir-
ginia. * * *
TO RICHARD HENRY LEE.
Bruxbi.1.^, 3 DecY 1780.
My dear Brother :
Since mine by your sons, I have not received any
letter from you, but have written to you several;
indeed since that I have heard but of very few ar-
rivals in any part of Europe, from Virginia, except
the fleet that came under convoy of the Fier
Roderigue. * * *
No letter has come to me from MT Ellis since
1778, written a few months after he entered on the
estate, and being quite uninformed of the state of
affairs in Virginia, and of the money in circulation,
or of the actual laws regulating the currency, I
cannot advise any particular plan of conducting
the business, but must refer to your discretion.
823
However, if at any time in the next year it becomes
practicable to send me some tobacco, either to
France or to Holland, I beg it may be done, only
have the freight specified in the bills, and let the
tobacco be consigned to me, or order. This I much
fear will be impracticable, as the London Gazette
now tells us in Octr Clinton had sent from New
York a body of forces to invade Virginia. Orders
for this purpose were sent from England last
summer, and since the middle of July repeated ad-
vice of this plan was sent the present Governor of
Virginia, that preparations might be made to give
the invaders a proper reception. These savage
robbers, that are not to be equalled in iniquity but
by their Licenser, who is a more horrid wretch,
than any one among them, will I apprehend do a
great deal of mischief to individuals; everything
moveable they will steal, and according to custom,
will burn and lay waste what they cannot carry
oflF. Providence however seems to be completing
her great work by ridding America of every Tory
rascal and traitor that is in her.
Tho' I believe there are very few of this discrip-
tion among you, yet I shall be happy to hear that
the few there are, openly declare themselves; as it
is certain, that one concealed traitor is more danger-
ous to the community than ten open foes.
The councillor has now a valuable and interest-
ing paper on the British navy.* The Dutch are
824
arming by sea with spirit, and placing their land
forces in their maritime towns, having at last come
into the armed neutrality with Russia, Sweden and
Denmark.
These powers will have at sea next spring a fleet
of 50 sail of the line, and as many frigates to sup-
port the plan of free commerce, as published by
Russia last spring, which you must have seen,
against the insolent pretensions of Great Britain
and the piratical robberies of her Royal and private
armed vessels.
We are on the eve of a war, all the maritime
powers of Europe against Great Britain, who is
without a single ally, unless the latter recedes from
her ill-founded claims and demands a peace.
Prance and Spain go on in their system, and
maintain a superiority in the European seas, — ^per-
haps before this, if the winds and weather have not
prevented, D'Estaing with 42 sail of the line, has
gi\*en Harby, off Cape Finisterre with 26 sail of the
line, a blow that the British navy cannot recover
this war.
Your a^nts in Spain have done nothing but got
a little mv>ney; some of their old connections from
the A«ArW IwiYt^ been at Madrid for several months,
which the ssuj^'KHis Spaniard does not like, and
cv>u«^uetttlY fights shy.
The tttau^^ment of >'Our affairs in France seems
to grow w^MT^e and worse, for the old junto, Silas
825
Deane in the midst of them, have by some means
or other got the whole management uncontrolled
into their hands. A reform must take place there,
and by the capture of M^. Laurens, your aflFairs in
Holland are not in so good a state as they might
be, MT Laurens with all his letters and papers fell
into the enemies hands.
When any person is sent to Europe in a public
character, he should at least have good common
sense. Surely the several states will now pay more
attention than they have done lately, to the re-
spectability of the persons that they send to repre-
sent them in Congress; and a little more steadiness
in rigidly adhering to fundamental resolutions,
will give weight and consequence to their deter-
minations. How an actual member of Congress
can do his duty in America, and execute commis-
sions at 3000 miles distance in person, is a problem
that we thickheaded people here can't solve.
What infatuation induces our country again to em-
ploy Gen^ Stevens ? Was not the loss of the battle
of German town sufficient? but the whole stake must
be again lost at Camden. A defeat of Cornwallis
there would have ended the war. God bless you
all, and believe that we love you and yours sin-
cerely. Adieu.
826
TO ARTHUR LEE.
Anvkrs, 6^.1» DccY , 1780.
Dear Sir:
We have heard from you from Boston, and
L/ebanon, and your two correspondents from this
neighborhood have also heard from you. We are
happy to hear of your safe arrival, and also of the
6,000 acres of laud.
I have written to you frequently since you left
us, but as the capture of y\ minister, M^ Laurens,
and the whole of his papers and letters, shows that
the conveyance is not always safe; to show you
how many letters miscarry they shall be numbered
regularly, beginning with this, no. i.
Amongst MT Laurens' papers was found the plan
of a treaty between the States of America and the
7 Provinces of the Netherlands, which had been
settled between your friend, and an agent of the
Pensionary Regency of Amsterdam. This, with
a copy of some of the letters, were laid before
the Prince of Orange by the British ambas-
sador. Sir J. Yorke, and by the Prince before the
States of Holland; expecting, no doubt, that the
Regency of Amsterdam would disavow, or apologize
to Great Britain for the business.
The Regency on the contrary openly maintain
that they had done what was right, and demanded of
the States of Holland an approbation of what had
been done. This so irritated the British court, that
827
Sir J. Yorke was ordered, and did present to the
States General the most extraordinary memorial
that has been seen in Europe in this century. You
will see it in the public prints. * No answer has yet
been given, for as it sounds like a declaration of
war, the Dutch probably wait till the British can-
non roar; to which they are prepared to make a
proper return. They have formally agreed to
enter into the armed neutrality with Russia,
Sweden and Denmark, which three have already
ratified their treaties, on the plan originally pro-
posed by Russia. These 4 powers will have at
sea in the spring a fleet of 50 sail of the line, and
as many frigates; and if Great Britain attacks Hol-
land, she attacks the other three, or if she at-
tempts to prevent either of them from supplying
France and Spain with naval stores.
Some people think Great Britain will be mad
enough to make th« attempt, which must prove
her ruin, as the enclosed paper must convince
every impartial man; but it seems more probable
that this armed neutrality will produce a general
peace in 1781, especially if Great Britain should
receive any check in her plans against America.
This is a critical moment for your country, as it
appears very probable that the northern powers,
with Holland, might now be easily induced to
♦It is printed in Diplomatic Correspondence of the Revolu
tion, IIL, 269. See Adams letter in his Works ^ vii., 329.
828
acknowledge your independence, if you had proper
agents or ministers in Europe to negotiate such an
important business; for it is said that the King^ of
Prussia is your friend, and that Austria has no
very warm feelings for Great Britain.
But you have no minister in this part of the
world; there is a MT Searle at Amsterdam, who is
said to be the Consul-General of America in Hol-
land, and at the same time a member of Congress,
and a colonel in your militia, which people in
general can't believe, because they see the im-
possibility of one man's performing the duties of
those diflferent offices at the same period.
Your minister in Spain [Jay] and his coadjutor
{Carmichael] have done nothing but get a little
money; indeed your enemies for several months
have had two and three agents at Madrid publicly,
who have contrived to come at your friends, or to
, so that your aflfairs hei'e are no farther ad-
vanced than they were twelve months ago.
You have some able and respectable Roman
Catholics among you; would not one of them be
most proper to send as your representative to
Spain ?
In France the ministry steadily pursue their old
system; tho' MonsT Sartiue is turned out and the
Marquis of Castries is in his place; therefore your
political aflFairs, of course, go on as they did, but
the management of your other aflFairs, we are told.
829
grows worse and worse. S. Deane lives at Passy,
and seems to direct and manage in yT business as
formerly.
The supplies for your army, that should have
been shipped last winter, are most of them still ly-
ing in the ports of France, and the famous Paul
Jones is now at Brest or L' Orient. The reinforce-
ment that was to have followed MonsT Ternay im-
mediately, is not yet gone; some say your minister
is the cause, having hinted that it was not neces-
sary; but this one can hardly believe.
What the cabinet of Versailles has determined
(or what seems most probable, that they have not
determined anything yet) relative to the operations
in America next campaign, the world is not in-
formed.
You will, surely, make a reform at least in
France; and confine your minister to politics, and
intrust solely to a Consul-General, or mercantile
agent, who should be formally introduced to the
French ministry, all your monied and mercantile
transactions, purchasing and sending out the sup-
plies for your army, and supplying, &c., your
ships of war that may enter the ports of France.
You know what the enemy are doing with you.
The designs against Virginia the Governor of that
state has been frequently advised of, since the mid-
dle of July; therefore it is supposed he will not be
taken unprepared.
830
The discovery of Arnold's plot, it is imagined,
will lead to the discovery and punishment of his
principal associators, so as to deter similar attempts
hereafter; for tho' some of the leaders may have by
their address got into appointments on this side
the water, it is not impracticable to catch and
punish them. Curious and attentive observers
think you have escaped the greatest danger that
has ever threatened you; as the British ministry,
on the gaining one Arnold alone^ are evidently
more dejected than if they had lost a whole army.
Clinton had before demanded to be recalled, or to
send him a reinforcement of 10,000 men to main-
tain a defensive campaign only. The number has
been promised, tho' they know the number is not
to be got, perhaps not the half; but this is a plan
of Lord North's that Clinton should be obliged to
come home, and Cornwallis have the chief com-
mand, in order to please the King, with whom
Cornwallis has become a mighty favorite, since
the insolent cruelties he has exercised in* Carolina.
The great push is to be made against Virginia and
the Carolinas; but if Gen\ L/Cslie's expedition,
which is chiefly designed as a diversion to Gen'.
Gates, thereby to save Cornwallis and Charleston,
proves fruitless, you may look on the war with re-
spect to you as ended. The British cabinet are
heartily sick of the war, and the only bar to peace,
and an acknowledgment of your Independence, is
the King; whose will is law in England.
831
Be steady and true to yourselves, and your ene-
mies can't hurt you ; they will expend at least 25
million sterl? next year, for which if they get it
they must pay as good as 10 pT ct interest.
The English papers tell us that S. Petrie, who
was so confidential at Passy, at the late general
election went over to England, and became a can-
didate for the borough of Hindon, and is now a
petitioner against that election before the House of
Commons: is it to be credited that he would have
ventured to do all this, unless his proceedings in
Paris and at Passy had been under the directions
and by the permission of the British ministry ?
It is said that the English East India stock has
fallen lopTc* in consequence of the proceedings
against Holland.
The imprisonment of MT Trumbull, son to the
Governor of Connecticut, and his examination at
Bow street, you will see an account of in the Brit-
ish papers. 'Tis strange that men of common
sense will accuse themselves, and involve others by
their voluntary confessions, in a country where the
torture is not known to the laws. 'Tis said that a
strict search is making after all those mentioned by
MT T 11, but we do not hear that any of them
has been yet apprehended.
The conduct of your enemies seems in every way
to be felo de se. 'Tis evident to every one that
they have received infinitely more advantages from
spies and traitors, that have been permitted to be
at large in America, and to mix in your councils,
than you have from the unimportant information
you get from England ; and by this last measure
they set you the example how to act with such
characters in America ; especially with those who
were dispatched from England to Maryland to work
in secret while the British arms were openly in
action, as soon as the British cabinet decided on
making their great push against Virginia and the
Carolinas, that Maryland may be prevented from
giving any aid until it is too late. ♦ ♦ ♦
The 7 ult? D'Estaing with Guichen, his fleet and
convoy, left Cadiz to come to Brest, with 45 sail of
the line.
The English fleet, of 26 sail of the line, under
Darby, was cruising oflF Cape Finisterre the 16
ult? . Should they join in battle, the English navy
must receive an irreparable wound, but the winds
have been violent most of the month and chiefly to
the East and North, so that I hardly expect they
will meet. About 20 of the last Jamaica fleet have
been foundered at sea, and the Lyon, a 64 gun
ship, is supposed to be foundered also. With the
highest esteem, &c.
Le Baron de Bach.
833
TO ARTHUR LEE.
AifVBRS, lo December, 1780.
It appears here that your operations have been
much embarrassed by the depreciation of your
paper currency, which surprises us much, since
the effectual remedy seems plain and simple, and
within the power of Congress.
Perhaps it is for this very reason that the remedy
has been overlooked, or so long neglected. A fund
must be established in Europe, to be applied solely
and most sacredly to the payment of the interest
on your paper currency.
This fund here should be placed under the di-
rection of three persons at least, who should be all
men of worth, honor and trustworthy; and not a
shilling should be touched without the draft is
signed by all the three. These commissioners
should every three months balance the accounts,
and give several copies to the public ministers re-
siding in the country where the fund is established,
to transmit to Congress; and if upon examination
of these accounts, he should find that one shilling
has been applied to any other purpose than to the
payment of drafts drawn from America, for dis-
charging the interest aforesaid; or, if the accounts
are not delivered *to the minister, within three or
six months at farthest, after the expiration of every
three months, in either case the minister, with the
approbation of any two or more of your public
834
ministers in Europe, should be authorized to sus-
pend one, or all of these commissioners, and ap-
point others in their place, until the pleasure of
Congress is known.
As these commissioners should be men of charac-
ter, they should have genteel salaries, and if it was
;^iooo ster? each pT an"?, the great importance of
the business would well warrant it ; at the same
time they might be employed in other services for
Congress.
The interest of your paper should be annually
paid at the Continental or public treasuries in each
State, by drafts on the fund in Europe; and the in-
terest on bills emitted in any State, according to
the last plan published by Congress, should be pay-
able either at the Continental treasury, or any other
public treasury of either of the States.
Such a plan regularly executed for a year, would
give a credit and currency to your paper equal to
the bank notes of England, or Holland; and then
you could never be at a loss for the means of sup-
plying your army.
The introduction of specie into America, even of
a hundred million, would not answer the purpose
of a circulating medium of commerce; because
during the war it would be inevitably hoarded up,
as what you have now certainly is, for there can be
no doubt of there being at this time much more
specie in America than at any former period.
835
This fund, in Europe, must be established and
kept up by borrowing until you can support it by
remitting your commodities. * * *
Our friend W. Lee expects to hear from you soon
and fully about what relates to him in Congress and
Virginia.
Your former minister, Mr Silas Deane, we are
told, since his return to France has been continu-
ally employed in invectives against his country;
according to him, America is ruined, and must be
subjugated by England; therefore all the aid France
gives, is so much thrown away. We are surprised
at this, as he lives atPassy with your minister, and
seems to be his favorite and prime councillor.
M*". Deane adds also, that your grand Congress is
composed of fools and knaves; we hope he has not
experienced them to be so. *
♦** Soon after my arrival here, which was on the evening of the
23d., I had a visit from Francisco [Deane], a long one, daring
which we went over much political ground, which convinced
me every thing we had heard of the very extraordinary con-
versation of this man, was strictly true. Our country, accord-
ing to him, was already conquered ; the power of Great Britain
rising above all control ; that of her enemies almost spent ;
Holland absolutely to be crushed in the course of three months ;
the armed neutrality in consequence annihilated ; the British
manifesto extolled for its cogent reasons above all the similar
acts of the belligerent powers ; all Europe blind to their own
interests, which, in fact, were in direct repugnance with those
of America, particularly those of Holland and all the northern
powers ; Congress a mere cipher, having lost all its influence
836
I wish you every success, but you ought never to
forget that your security must depend on your own
abilities and exertions, and not on any foreign aid.
everywhere in America ; and to crown the whole, an apology
for the infamous apostate Arnold." Francis Dana to John
Adams, January, 1781. A letter printed in Donne (II., 363)
would show that Deane either was in the pay of the British
court, or was to be approached with an offer, conditioned upon
his undertaking to detach individual States from the Confeder-
ation. The former relation is the more likely in the light of
subsequent events ; and that the ministry did not place full
confidence in him is shown by the intercepting of his letters
for America. **I have only been able to read two of them,"
wrote the King to North, 19 July, 1781, "on which I form
the same opinion of too much appearance of being concerted
with this country, and therefore not likely to have the effect as
if they bore another aspect." And again (August 7th), "I
own I think them too strong in our favor to bear the appear-
ance of his spontaneous opinions, but that, if supposed to be
authentic, they will see they have by concert fallen into our
hands. The means Mr. Deane should have taken as most con-
ducive of the object he seems now to favor, would have been
first to have shown that the hands of France are too full to be
able to give any solid assistance to America, and to have
pointed out the ruin that must attend a further continuance of
the war; and after having given time for these opinions to be
digested, then have proposed the giving up all ideas of inde-
pendency, and have shown that the country is not in a state to
subsist without the assistance of some foreign power, and that
consequently so mild a government as the British one is the
most favorable that America can depend upon."
By October Deane had retired to Ghent, a move that con-
vinced the King of his sincerity ; and it was from that place
that he wrote the letter to Governor Trumbull, also intercepted
by the British, and printed in a garbled and altered version by
Rivington.
»37
TO BARON SCHULENBERG.
BruxblI/BS, 38 December, 1780.
I have not sooner than this replyed to the letter
your Exc7 did me the honor of writing tome ye 12
of last June, because the events of the War in
America, as well as in Europe last season, were so
unimportant, that it was not worth while to take
up your Excy> time. Our friends, France and
Spain, have lost a campaign; but their Navy is
unimpaired, for it is now more powerful than it
has been at any former period, while the English
have expended in the last Caixipaign, upwards of
25 Million Sterling, lost above 15,000 Men, and
their Navy decaying. In America their situation
is critical. Gen^. Clinton confin'd closely to N. Y.,
which we cannot attack without a Naval Superior-
ity: in South Carolina, notwithstanding the vic-
tory at Camden in August, which the English have
boasted so much about, it appears by 1,^ Cornwal-
lis's dispatches dated ye 20 September, that he had
not been able to venture into North Carolina, and
he says that in South Carolina he was surrounded
with Enemies and difficulties. Since that, on the
7th of October, he sustained a heavy loss in the de-
feat of Col, Ferguson and his Corps; so that 'tis
supposed by most people in England that Genl Les-
lie will not be able to extricate L^ Cornwallis from
his difficulties in South Carolina.
The treacherous defection of Genl Arnold has
838
been attended with no other consequence but en-
raging the American Army rather more than they
were before against the wickedness of their Ene-
mies. Arnold has been tried by a Court Martial
and found guilty of peculation of the public money,
and many other bad Practices while be commanded
in Philadelphia, for which he was publicly repri-
manded at the head of the American Army, where
he was become contemptible ; but in remembran-
ces of his past services, he was continued in the
command of a Post, as he had been rendered in-
capable of active service by his wounds. On the
whole it may be said that we have got clear of one
wretch, and the English have added another to
their Standard.
In this situation the extravagance of y5 British
Councils seem to have no bounds, for we now learn
that they have already commenced open hostilities
against the Dutch, because the States General de-
termined to join the Northern Powers in the
League for an Armed Neutrality, in opposition to
y? orders and threats of the British Ambassador at
y^ Hague. By commencing Hostilities at this
season of y* year, while all the Northern Ports are
frozen up, the English conceived they will strike
so heavy a blow on the Dutch Commerce before
the Spring that the Northern Powers will not
then venture to come to the aid of Holland. In
this speculation they will probably be deceived,
839
especially as I suppose the Northern Powers will
immediately stop all the British vessels that are in
the Baltic and not let them pass the Sound into
the North Sea* Some of my countrymen have a
desire to make some essays in the Commercial way
to the Port of Embden, but they wish to know first
what manufactures can be readily got there on
reasonable terms to load a vessel without much de-
lay; What American productions, such as Rice,
Indigo, Tobacco, furs and Potash would meet
with a good market there; — what duties or Im-
posts they are liable to. A commencement once
made, I am satisfied would soon produce a large
and beneficial communication between his Majes-
ties Dominions and America; therefore I trust
your Excellencies goodness will excuse me for de-
siring to be informed to whom I can properly ap-
ply for the information wanted.
I do not speak from any authority of my Country,
but as an individual, I can't help mentioning the
indecent and unjust strictures on the conduct of
Congress and America that have appeared on
several occasions in the Courier de Bas Rhine,
printed at Cleves. A different style and conduct
in the Editor of that Gazette would certainly tend
more to create an individual harmony and good
understanding between his Majesties Subjects and
my Countrymen.
840
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CO^GKBSS.
Brussbls, February loth, 1781.
Sir:
Be pleased to inform Congress that I have re-
ceived information, which I think is to be depended
on, that the British Cabinet has lately determined
not to send any more troops for this campaign to
North America* I therefore submit to the wisdom
of Congress the propriety of making every possible
vigorous effort this year to expel the British troops
from the continent; for there may be reason to ap-
prehend, if this is not done, and Great Britain can,
by any means, extricate herself from the irresist-
ible northern storm she has raised against her by
the mad and foolish attack she has made on the
Dutch, that her whole force will be employed next
year against America, especially if she does not
meet with some signal losses there this campaign.
The secret proposals for peace which Great
Britain is now making at Versailles and Madrid,
are altogether insidious, and only intended to im-
pede the active operations of France and Spain this
year, whereby they hope, by getting the start, that
they may obtain some decisive advantages in the
East and West Indies, for which countries their
expeditions are all now on the wing. The King of
Prussia has been our steady friend, though wisely
so, and has been of much service to us; therefore,
from motives of gratitude, as well as of justice and
sound policy, he ought not to be much longer
neglected; for it is most certain that his wisdom
directs greatly the present system of Europe.
I have the honor to be, &c.
TO THE MARQUIS DE CASTRIES.
Brxtxbllbs, II February, 1781.
When your ExcT is acquainted with the anxious
zeal I have always had for the success of the joint
cause of France and America against y? common
Enemy Great Britain, you will think that I do not
stand in need of an Apology for taking up your
time with this Letter; for tho' heretofore the ad-
vice of those Americans who were only actuated
by honest and generous feelings for their Country,
and who in the present War, might reasonably
have been supposed to know when, where and how,
a fatal blow might be given to the common Enemy,
has been too much disregarded, I am not discour-
aged,* but shall proceed.
I am informed, and believe the information true,
that the British Cabinet have determined not to
send any more Soldiers to America for this Cam-
paign; therefore I would propose, in order to finish
the war on our own terms, that 15 or 20 Ships of
*This sentence erased, "because I trust that there is not now
any of his majesties ministers or their dependants engaged in
dirty jobs or plundering schemes of commerce/'
842
the Line with some Frigates should be immedi-
ately sent directly to New York, and when they
are once within Sandy Hook, they may prevent
the whole Navy of Great Britain from coming in to
the relief of New York, and may wait there in
safety, until the Americans are collected in suffici-
ent Force to take it. Adml Arbuthnot has with
him for the protection of New York about 12 Ships
of the Line, which will be chiefly employed in
blocking up the French Squadron at Rhode Island,
so that their force from Europe may get within
Sandy Hook before he has any notice of its com-
ing; but if by chance they should meet at Sfca,
your Superior force must destroy him. Such a
measure will also free the French Squadron now
at Rhode Island, and MonsT Rochambeau also, and
give him a Liberty of acting where the occasion
may be most pressing in order to destroy the com-
mon Enemy. Should this plan meet your Excel-
lencies' approbation, and it is accordingly adopted,
the squadron should go as straight as possible to
New York. It will be advisable that the real des-
tination of the Squadron should not be commui-
cated to any but the commanding officer, and to
deceive the Enemy, it may be proper to have it
generally given out that this squadron is destined
for the West Indies.
If any measures have been taken to intercept
Adni*. Darby and his 20 Sail of the Line, now
843
about sailing from Portsmouth with most valu-
able convoys for the East and West Indias and
North America, this expedition to New York will
be unnecessary, because the taking or destroying
Adm^ Darby's fleet and Convoys will effectually
answer the purpose of bringing the Enemy to our
own terms; at the same time I must beg leave to
observe that, knowing them so well as I do, I am
perfectly convinced they only mean to gain time
and advantages in the present campaign by secret
propositions of Peace either at Versailles or Madrid.
Tho' contrary to my own opinion of the Emper-
or's disposition, I could not help being uneasy at
various accounts lately of his determination to take
part with Great Britain, but I am happy now in
being assured that he is not disposed to act in any
manner against us.
TO RICHARD HENRY I.EE.
BruxKIXBS, 20 February, 1781.
My dear Brother:
The last letter I received from you was dated in
October 1779. * * * *
I have not heard from Congress, nor received
letters from any one relative to discharging the
sum due to me for my appointments, while in the
public service; but I understand, there are letters
on this side which mention, that when MT Izard's
844
appointment was settled, and payment of the bal-
ance ordered in Europe, the consideration and
settling of mine was postponed; for what reason I
cannot conceive.
I hope no one will think it unreasonable, or in
any manner derogating from M^ Izard's merit, if I
desire only to be put on the same ground with
him; for tho' mine was an active, laborious and
expensive employment, I make no particular claim
for having done my duty to my country and prin-
cipals, in the best manner I was capable of.
Mr Izard, besides the satisfaction of an unanimous
vote of Congress approving his conduct, was al-
lowed for expenses i,6oo Louis d'ors pT annum; and
near 500 Louis d'ors pr an. for salary. — On the same
footing my demand will stand thus: To expenses
from the i** OctT 1777, when my service began as
commissioner, to the 13 Jan. 1780, being 3 months
after receiving the notification of my recall at 1,600
Louis d'ors pT an., is in livres ;^88.ooo
To salary for the above period. @ 11.-
428 livres p^ an. 26.189
;^ii4.i89
Deduct 3.000 Louis d'ors I rec'd from
Com!" at Paris. 72.000
leaves a bal^* due to me from Congress of ;^42. 189
I do not know the name of a single delegate now
845
in Congress from Virginia, and so many changes
have taken place in that body that I do not know
a single person there, who would be proper and
willing to get the business settled for me; there
fore I must rely entirely on your kindness to get it
negotiated for me, and if possible to get a draft on
some part of Europe remitted to me for the bal-
ance. I have written often to Congress on the
subject, but they have either not received or not
answered my letters, that I know of.
I have no doubt you will answer me on this
subject as soon as you can, and by repeated oppor-
tunities, which you may do in such a manner as to
be unintelligible to the enemy should your letters
fall into their hands — Our brother Arthur Lee has
a cypher that you can use if necessary. *
***The decision of Congress respecting your letter of April
I3th, which came to hand only the 4th of this month, is herewith
transmitted. The period of pajrment will perhaps be more
distant than you wish ; but I am at liberty to assure you from
the Superintendent of our finances, that it is his intention to
take the earliest possible opportunity to close this business."
James Lovell to William Lee^ 20 September, 1781.
** September 12th, 1781. The committee to whom was re-
ferred a letter of the 12th of April last from Mr. William Lee,
report:
"That upon principles admitted by Congress in the settle-
ment of an account similar to that transmitted by Mr. Lee,
t^ere appears to be due to him a balance of 42, 189 lirres Totir-
■ois ; whereupon,
" Ordered, That the account be referred to the Superinten-
846
Yourself and Governor Jefferson were frequently
advised during the last summer, and I hope not
without effect, of the determination of the British
cabinet to bend their greatest force against the
two Carolinas and Virginia. After the taking of
Charleston, and particularly after the battle of
Camden, in their usual style of wisdom, they fully
expected by Xmas last to be in complete possession
of the two Carolinas and part of Virginia as far as
the confines of James river at least, and that this
campaign would be crowned with the conquest of
the remaining part of Virginia, Maryland and
Pennsylvania.
At present, however, they have determined not
to send any fresh troops to America for this cam-
paign; indeed, we know they have not any to send;
therefore it is reasonable to imagine, that weakened
as they are, last campaign, the force they have now
in America cannot advance much in the way of
conquest; but America will be culpable if she does
not make a proper use of the favorable moment
and by a vigorous exertion drive the enemy entirely
off the continent.
A very fine French fleet of 25 sail of the line will
sail from Brest in a few days; its true destination
is not publickly known ; some say to North
dent of Finance, to take order for payment of the balance, with
interest at the rate of six per cent, per annum from this day, as
soon as the state of the public finances will admit.''
847
America and others say to the West Indies; but
wherever it goes it ought to fall heavy, and by a
deep blow at once finish the war, for the English
have no equal force to oppose it
The grand fleet and whole army of Spain are
still amusing themselves with the seige of Gib-
raltar; where there is only a paltry, sickly garison
of about 2CXX) men.
Your minister at Madrid is no more than a
private gentleman; and England has there pub-
licly known agents, Mr. Cumberland, secretary to
the Board of Trade, and Mr. Hussey, an Irish
priest; who confer with the Spanish ministers and
act in the honorable capacity of spies, tho' they
are not publicly received as ministers.
The British Declaration of War against the
Dutch was the 20*.^ December, since which above
100 Dutch merchantmen have been taken; an ex-
pedition is now publicly sailing from Portsmouth
against their East India settlements, and orders
have been long since sent to attack the West India
islands; to all which the Dutch have only replied
by a proclamation that they will grant letters of
marque and reprisals against the English, but as
yet there is no manifesto, nor a single Dutch man-
of-war or privateer at sea, tho' the winter has been
remarkably open, and the coast of England from
the Thames quite to the Orkneys, has been totally
defenceless.
84S
Be not surprised at this, there are rascals and
parricides in other places besides America; — ^but if
I mistake not, before the summer ends the English
will sorely repent their attacking the Dutch.
'Tis not known yet whether Russia, Sweden and
Denmark will immediately enter into the war
against England; but they are well known to ex-
press high indignation at her conduct against HoU
land.
The Emperor is at present determined to remain
quite neuter, if the English will let him do so, but
they are every day seizing and plundering the
ves9sels of his subjects in the same piratical man-
ner, as they have done those of other nations.
The King of Prussia will, I think, as heretofore
continue our friend in the cabinet; 'tis therefore to
be regretted, that Congress has let him remain so
long neglected, especially at this critical moment,
when the great advantage is so evident that
America might obtain from having ministers at
almost every court in Europe, whether they were
publicy received as such, or not On the whole I
am clearly of opinion, that a general peace is
within this year, unless some unexpected and un-
foreseen occurrrences in America should happen,
that may induce the King of Great Britain to
risque every thing elsewhere, in hopes of obtaining
his fevorite object, the Subjugation of America. —
You have the game therefore in your own hands.
.r1
849
TO RICHARD HENRY I.EE.
BRUXKlitBS, 13 April, 1781.
My dear Brother:
Inclosed you have copies of the two accounts I
transmit by this same conveyance to Congress; the
reason of my altering the original account No. i,
and new stating it as in No. 2 is mentioned be-
tween the two accounts; and I must further observe
that the feelings and prevailing sentiments in
America, which dictates the resolves of Congress,
Sep: 20, 1776, when the appointment to be a com-
missioner was refused, were very different from
those which produced the resolutions of the 6*>
Aug? 1779; when even the President, and other
members of Congress were intriguing for such ap-
pointments. This however should in justice be
considered in rewarding those who undertook the
appointments at the different periods.
As I do not know that I have one friend, or ac-
quaintance in Congress to push forward this busi-
ness for me, I must rely on your kindness to write
to some member of your body to bring it to a con-
clusion; and to take care, that whatever sum Con-
gress may think proper to allow, may be transmit-
ted to me in bills on Europe.
Col. Searle and M^ Dana* passed thro' here
*Dana had been appointed to represent Congress at St.
Petersburg, and was on his way to that court His election
occurred 19 December, 1780.
850
yesterday, on their way from Paris to Holland;
they both assured me that Bills of Exchange on
Europe were plentiful in Virginia, Maryland and
Pennsylvania, the exchange 70 for one in the old,
and 52 for one in the new paper. — In this state of
things I should have hoped to receive some remit-
tances from the estate, but now I can hardly ex-
pect any thing this year, as Virginia will be the
seat of war.
By repeated conveyances last year I gave the
Governors of Virginia and Maryland advice of the
determination of the British cabinet to push their
chief force last winter & this summer against the
Carolinas & Virginia. — Some of those letters must
have got to hand, as the vessels they went by ar-
rived safe; but y^ warning seems to have had no
effect, from the very defenceless and unprepared
state that Leslie and the Traitor afterwards found
Virginia in.
I am so very feeble, and reduced by a continued
and severe illness, ever since Ocf last, that I am
not able to enter into the large field of European
politics, which indeed is somewhat inexplicable.
Heyder AH, in the East Indies, having made an
irruption into the Carnatic, with 8o,cxx) horse,
totally defeated and cut to pieces a large British
army; has taken the whole country of Arcot; and
it is said, had laid seige to Madras, after retaking
Pondicherry. This is by far a more sensible blow
851
on our enemies than any they have received from
every power in Europe, since the commencement
of hostilities to this time; or than they are likely
to receive this year from them all together, as
things appear at present, so very contemptibly are
aflFairs conducted on this quarter of the globe.
The conduct of your affairs in France seems to
have grown worse and worse; at last some cloath-
ing is gone, the 29*^ ult? , in the Marquis de la
Fayette, under convoy of the Alliance. The
freight paid to this old ship, which will hardly
swim to America, they say at Nantes, would have
built there, from the stocks, and sent completely
fitted to sea, a frigate of 36 guns, and in less time
than she has taken to be fitted for this voyage; but
M"" Chaumont is said to be a part-owner, which ac-
counts for all. He, and MF Williams have had the
sole management of the ship and her cargo.
Extractof a letter just received from Bourdeaux,
dated the 7*^ April 1781.
"The marquis de la Fayette belonged to a company
who purchased her of the old E. I. Co., in which
trade she had made some voyages. They sent her to
the W. Indies, in which voyage she sunk money to the
owners, and being found unprofitable they ordered her
to be laid up here.
** Le Ray de Chaumont became proprietor and chart-
ered her to M! Franklin. Bills to a considerable
amount are drawn, by order of the state of Virginia, on
85^
D'Acosta Fr^res, who have admitted them to be pro-
tested. The credit of particular states is in disrepute. ' '
In Great Britain they have this year created a
perpetual debt of 21 millions, to borrow 12 mil-
lion; and they will create besides an unfunded debt
of 8 million more over and above their annual in-
come. Thus, the bubble of credit and paper has
been carried to a height incredible, and almost in-
conceivable by the mind of man. But if Heyder
Ali pursues his conquests in the East, this bubble
will soon burst, and then farewell to British inso-
lence and barbarity forever.
My whole family unite with me in aflfec^* love to
you and all your's; & beg to remember as to all our
brothers, sisters & friends. MT Adams has bor-
rowed for Congress, in Holland, one million florins,
upwards of ;^90.ooo steri^, which is supposed to be
a prelude to a farther and more considerable loan.
TO FRANCIS LIGHTFOOT I.EE.
Bruxblles, 12 February, 1782.
That you may know y5 fate of such Letters as
you may have written, 'tis proper for me to inform
you that it is near four years since I have rec? a
Letter from you of any kind, and above seven
years since I have received one about private busi-
ness; I flatter myself, however, that you have taken
care to pay ofi" with paper money all the debts of
853
every kind that I owed in Virginia, or, at least,
that you have made legal tenders for y\ purpose,
with the said money, in which I hear the Debts
due tome have been discharged; and to pre^fent
any omission or mistake in this business, I again
enclose you a List of all the Debts I owed in Vir-
ginia in May, 1777; — since which none can have
been contracted by me.
You will find also enclosed a Copy of my account
against our Father's Estate, the Balance due to me
the 5th of Nov*: 1781, being jCz^ggS . 9 . y}4 Ster^^
which account I wish you to get certified and
sign'd by the Acting Executors of our late Father's
Estate. When this Account is so certified and
sign'd, I wish to have it recorded in Westmoreland
County Court; and I request of you to let me know
by repeated Letters what is done in this business.
— In September last Congress ordered that the
Superintendant of Finances should pay me 42,189
livres, as soon as the slate of y^ Public Finances
would admit. The time and manner of payment
being thus left entirely at the discretion of the
Superintendant, you will render me a most par-
ticular and essential service if you can prevail on
the Superintendant to remit me, or pay this money,
directly in good Bills on Paris or Amsterdam. I
have mentioned this subject to both our brothers
A. L. and R. H. L. , and of y^ latter I have desired
to be informed particularly, of all y^ damage that
854
has been done on the Estate at Green Spring dur-
ing the last Campaign; to have all y? fruit Trees
immediately replaced that may have been de-
stroyed; to have promising young Fellows, put
apprentices to the diflFerent trades necessary for the
use of such an Estate; and to have the whole of
Powhatan Swamp Converted into a Timothy
meadow as fast as possible. This should be the
grand object at present, even to y^ partial neglect
of crops of Tobacco. This Letter being entirely
on Private business, I shall conclude with telling
you that my family (except myself) are in tolerable
good Health; it consists of Mrs. Lee, one Son,
William Ludwell, 7 years old; two Daughters,
Portia 5 years, and Cornelia 2 years old. The last
was, born in this Town.
You will readily agree that in times like the
present, with a broken Constitution and reduced
Fortune, these are enough to provide for, as they
ought to be. However, I cannot despair of seeing
brighter days, and of once more embracing you in
Peace and happiness, when we can, with pleasure,
look back on all the dangers we have passed.
Heaven bless you and our dear Sister.
855
TO RICHARD HENRY LEE.
Bruxbi«lbs, II March, 1782.
My dear Brother:
I have writteu to you several long letters lately,
one of which will go by the Marquis la Fayette.
Since my last a new spirit has arisen in the British
House of Commons: General Conway made a
motion that the prosecution of an offensive war in
America, should be put a stop to. This, after a
very long and warm debate, was carried against
the ministry by I9 majority. The motion was
then modelled into an address to the King, who
gave an evasive, and I think rather insolent answer;
on this the House of Commons without a division
passed another resolve, that he that should advise
or attempt to carry on an offensive war in America
contrary to the sense of that House, should be
deemed an enemy to Great Britain, and punished
as such.
Thus for the present, the plundering and burn-
ing plans, that have been concerted to be carried
into execution this year under Arnold, are put a
stop to. The nation at large is really anxious for
peace, and it is clear that the ministry will there-
fore be obliged to make some attempts that way
this year; while all the force of Great Britain will
be principally employed against the navy of
France: but as the King thirsts as much as ever for
the blood and devastation of America, unless they
856
suffer some farther losses, so as to render them
utterly incapable of going on one moment longer,
I fear that peace will hardly take place this year;
tho' if America by one vigorous exertion would
get possession of New York and Charleston, the
business of war would end immediately. * * *
TO THE SECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
BRUSSBI3, 31 March, 1782.
Sir:
Although I have not the honor of a personal ac-
quaintance with you, yet I trust that this letfer,
being on subjects which concern the interests of
our country in general, I shall not stand in need of
any apology for writing it.
You will be informed, probably, both by the
newspapers and private letters, before this gets to
your hands, of the late revolution in the British
Ministry; the old set having given place to a new
Ministry, composed of the Rockingham, Shel-
burne, and Grafton parties. This change has been
forced on the King, very much against his inclina-
tion and that of his secret advisers. Lords Bute and
Mansfield, by the general exertion of almost the
whole body of the people of England, both in and
out of the House of Commons, who ardently wish
for a peace, especially with America; and it ap-
pears that independence will not be any great im-
857
pediment, though they will endeavor to barter, as
a consideration for acknowledging it for a bene-
ficial treaty of commerce, the Newfoundland fish-
ery, and some other points.
It seems evidently to be the general wish of the
nation, that a peace with America should be im-
mediately made almost on any terms, and on that
principle it is that they have forced the present
Ministry into place; but as I am not quite clear
that the principles of Lord Shelburne, or those of
his friend, Mr. Dunning, are in any manner
friendly to America, and the King's inveteracy
continuing as great as ever, it is not possible to
say how far the negociations for peace may be
traversed and impeded by secret manoeuvres and
intrigues; therefore, in my opinion it will be wise
in America to be well on her guard, and take her
present measures as if the war was yet to continue
some years. I have not yet heard of his departure,
but the 22d instant was fixed for General Carleton
to leave Portsmouth in the Ceres, of thirty-two
guns, for New York, to take upon him the com-
mand in chief in America. The late British
Ministry died as they lived, for one of their last
oflScial acts was to give the traitor Arnold, by
patent, one thousand pounds sterling pension per
annum for his and his wife's lives.
It has been mentioned to me by a gentleman in
the Government here, that the Emperor is disposed
858
to enter into a commercial treaty with America,
and afterwards that a minister or resident from
Congress should reside at the Court here, this being
the principal commercial country belonging to his
Majesty. Though this communication was not
official, yet it appears as if it had been made to me
from their knowing that I was formerly a Com-
missioner of Congress at the Court of Vienna;
therefore I think it my duty to inform Congress of
the circumstance through you, that they may take
such measures in it as they think proper.
I will not presume to advise on the propriety or
impropriety of appointing a Minister to treat with
his Imperial Majesty, because Congress must be
sufficiently informed that the capital manufactures
of this country in woolen, linen, and cotton, and
coarse hats, and the iron and steel manufactures at
Leige, will be of great utility at all times in
America; and the consumption of tobacco, indigo,
rice, furs, skins, and salt fish is not only very con-
siderable in this country but in the adjacent inland
ones that always draw their supplies through the
ports here. I will only venture to say, in my
opinion, fifteen thousand livres Tournois per
annum would be a sufficient appointment for an
American Minister to reside at this Court, for his
salary and expenses together. Should such a
Minister be appointed his commission should run
thus: **To negociate, agree upon, conclude, and
859
sign a treaty of, &c., &c., &c., between his Im-
perial and Apostolic Majesty Joseph the Second,
Emperor of Germany, King of the Romans, of
Hungary, Bohemia, &c., &c., &c., and the Con-
gress of the United States of America, and after-
wards to reside as Minister from the said Congress
at the Court of Brussels, in the Austrian Nether-
lands, to transact such affairs as may be given to
him in charge." I mention this because there
was a capital mistake in the original commission
sent me to treat with the Court of Vienna, which
I took the liberty of pointing out at the time.
You will find enclosed with this a copy of the
London Gazette and sentence of the court-martial
on Captain Dundass of the Boneta, which prove
pretty explicity a breach of the articles of capitula-
tion at Yorktown by Lord Cornwallis and Captain
Symonds. I do not know that the situation of
affairs will render it necessary to take notice of
this breach on the part of the enemy, but it ap-
pears to me proper that Congress should be in-
formed of the fact.
With the highest consideration and respect, I
have the honor to be, &c.
TO SAMUEL THORPE.
Bruxei,i,ES, June i8, 1782.
Dear Sir:
It was not in my power to write to you last Post,
86o
tho' I much wished to give you as early intelli-
gence as possible of what we are confidently assured
here; viz, that the Preliminaries of Peace were
sign'd last week at Paris; and instead of o. Peace
with America only a Truce of 12 years is agreed
upon; but if this Truce is not ripened into a Peace
before y? settlement of y^ general business, I am
sure it will be attended with very disagreeable
consequences, especially to G. B. France always
wished to bring the affair to such a conclusion, in
order y^ more effectually to accomplish her deep
lay'd design, of keeping America a perpetual
Thorn in y* side of G. B., and she must be now
delighted at seeing her adversarys run so easily
into the snare. It is much more y? probable that
a War will break out in Europe before y? expira-
tion of 12 years, in which France and England
must be Antagonists; in that case, suppose there is
now only a Truce with America, she will infallibly
take a part with France: but if there is a full peace
now, America will then either remain Neuter, or
probably take part with G. B. Besides, a Truce
will be y? most effectual plan that can be devised
to preclude for ever that intercourse and commerce
which well disposed [persons] wish should take
place immediately between G. B., and America;
for you may depend upon it that during the Truce,
no British Subjects nor a farthing's worth of Brit-
ish or Irish goods or manufactures, will on any
86i
Account or in any shape, be admitted to enter
within any of y* 13 United States of America.
Events have so fully confirmed my presages for 14
years past that I have become confident in my
Political Predictions in what concerns G. B. and
America; and therefore if you think it will be ot
any utility, you are at Liberty to communicate
what I have here said, where you judge it will be
of use. I hope you now understand clearly what
I meant by saying some time ago that G. B. for
her own sake should take care that y^ Indepen-
dence of America should be Independent
Now if you please to a little private business.
A Flemish Merchant seems to have had very ill
usage, from a British Privateer, as the inclosed
case will show you, which, at his desire, I am to
request that you will get the present Attorney
General's opinion as soon as possible; or that of
any other councillor learned in the Law, who may
be thought to have more learning and skill in such
matters than y* Attorney General. You will
much oblige me by returning y^ case and opinion
on it, as soon as you possibly can, marking the
expence you are at in the business, which you may
charge to my Account.
I am well pleased to see y^ Corporation and y^
Court on such good terms as they seem to be at
present; but I shall be mortified if the people
loose the present favorable moment, and do not
r
862
eflFectually secure their Liberty against y^ attempts
of such another Administration as y* last was, by
purifying the House of Commons by means of
enlarging the represented body and throwing the
decay'd burro's into the neighboring tithings and
hundreds, as was done at Cricklade. You have
got something in y^ Contractors and Revenue
OflScers bill, but you may still be ruined if you
stop there.
P. S. Remember that I do not speak of the
Preliminaries being sign'd, as a matter of certainty
(for I neither am nor desire to be in y^ secret of
any Cabinet), but as a Report in which I think
there is some probability; but whether they are
sign'd or not, as yet, it will not make any diflFer-
ence in the Argument relative to a Truce or a
Peace with America. I cannot pretend to have
any Influence; but I have taken no little Pains to
dispose the several parties on this side of the
channel to a fair and equitable peace, and flatter
myself with y^ hopes that such a one may be ac-
complished, if your present ministers do not follow
y* example of their predecessors, and suffer them-
selves to be hurried away by their late good
Fortune to make extravagant and silly demands.
863
TO RICHARD HENRY LEE.
Brxjxki<i«BS, 22 June, 1782.
I have to thank you for your letter of the 23^ of
last April, tho' am much vexed at the fate of
y^ Articles sent from Bourdeaux. I have never
heard from our B^ A. what he did with the Dollars
you sent by him last year to Pliil^ to remit to me,
nor a word of the ;^22o.8. Specie you sent to him
for the same purpose last March; tho' there are
several vessels arrived in France and Holland that
left Phil* and Baltimore late in April. I perceive
we have suffered terribly, and are likely to suffer
more, from y^ invasion of the Enemy last year: but
it is in vain to repine at what we could not, nor
can not help: therefore rest satisfied with the re-
flection, that everything was done which could be
done to save my property from the ravaging hands,
of a cruel and savage Enemy. 'Tis too late in life
for me with a debilitated state of health to fix on a
plan for y^ future happiness of my family without
more infonnation on some points than I have at
present. I wish therefore to know as soon as pos-
sible, what kind of Education can be got for my
Son in Virginia; whether any of our houses in
Williamsburg or that at Green Spring are in a
proper habitable condition for us, and which of the
house Servants are still alive and capable of service.
On these points I request you will give me the ear-
liest and repeated information by various convey-
864
aDces, and your advice ou the propriety of going
over with my family; which will be a Serious and
important measure to me, in point of inconvenience,
fatigue, and expence. I should be glad also to know
what progress has been made in converting Pow-
hatan Swamp into a Timothy Meadow. I am sure
that you will not omit any opportunity of remitting
what you possibly can to me, which will be equally
necessary, whether I remain some time longer in
Europe or go soon to Virginia. You say y"; Taxes
are heavy this year, and I much fear they will be
more so hereafter, as I see that the revenues of Vir-
ginia, as well as those of the Continent, are still
continued in the same hands, that have already
burthened America with a debt that will require
half a century to pay off.
TO ARTHUR LEE.
6ruxeu.es, 19 July, 1781.
Dear Brother :
In consequence of the information you gave me
in your letter of (y1 last date of which the 25'." of
March), I wrote to Dr. Franklin above 10 daies ago
desiring to be informed, if he had received orders
from y' Superintendent General of Finance to pay
me the money due to me from Congress. To this
letter I have not received any answer, tho' y^
usual time allow'd for receiving an answer from
1
865
Paris to a letter written from hence is 4 or 5 daies;
therefore, I do not expect any answer from Dr.
Franklin, nor do I believe he either has, or ever
will receive such order as you Mention, and I can
only wonder that you could ever believe such orders
were ever given to him. You will much oblige me
by procuring and sending to me either a bill of
Exchange or an order payable a Month after sight
for y^ principal debt, and interest thereon till paid,
agreeable to y^ resolution of Congress in September
last, either on Dr. Franklin or MT John Adams,
who has within a few months opened another loan
at Amsterdam which, report says, has succeeded
better than y^ first. You will not forget y*; neces-
sity of sending several duplicates of either a bill of
Exchange or an order for this Money. Our B^ .,
R. H. Lee, sent by you last year in April 68,100
Dollars in Loan office certificates to remit to me,
from Phil* ; what did you do with them, and what
are they now worth in livres? He also sent to you
in March last ;^22o.8. Virginia currency in Specie,
to remit to me; of that money you do not mention
a word, tho' I hear good Bills on Europe were
plenty, and y^ Exchange a great deal under par.
I have no proofs here of the debt due from De
Berdt & Co.; they must, I suppose, have been
lodged in y* proper office in PhiK before y^ At-
tachment was taken out. Anthony Stewart had a
full power of attorney and regular proofs of the
866
debt, with the Account Settled and Signed by
Burkitt & Sayre, the surviving Partners. I be-
lieve A. S. appointed Mr. Hill of Phil^ , partner
in y^ Madeira House of Hill, Lamar & Bissett, to
act for him in the business. Mr. Hill is now in
Phih and I believe A. Stewart is in N. York; from
one or y^ other of them you may probably know
where y^ papers are, and as soon as I can get a
power of Attorney made out, I will send one to you*
Should you know where Mr. Lotsom now is, pray
inform him that I wrote to him in May last saying
that the principal money he placed in my hands,
was let on Interest to Comte Clonard in Paris, as I
could not fix on any eligible plan of employing it
in trade, having not been able, even at this time,
to get y^ former aflFairs finished in which his money
was adventured. There are some accounts still to
settle, and until they are finally closed 'tis impos-
sible for me to say whether there will be any profit
or not. There has been a great deal of ill Fortune,
as well as bad management in what has been under-
taken ; therefore he may think himself in some
measure fortunate that y^ principal is not lost ; at
least I think so now, which has determined me not
to be concerned in any adventure, where I cannot
act openly as y* principal Agent, which hitherto
has not been practicable in this Country. But
things seem now to be changing in their Political
aspect I wish Mr. Lotsom would let me know if
867
it is agreeable to him that his money should re-
main in Count Clonard's hands; in y^. mean time
he may draw on me for Twenty thousand Livres
payable three months after sight in Paris. He
must always give me advice by tetter of what
Bills he draws. Tho' his bills are to be made pay-
able in Paris, they must be directed to me here.
I will send him an exact state of the amount of
his money in my hands, as soon as I can get y?
fonner aflFairs finally settled. Should any oppor-
tunity occur of serving me on this side the At-
lantic, I suppose you will not neglect it, as you
know I am perfectly idle, and I can assure you
that my dangerous illness last year arose princip-
ally from inactivity and want of employment after
upwards of 20 years spent in bustle and continual
motion.
TO RICHARD HENRY LEE.
Cl^EVES, 29 July, 1782.
Dear Sir:
I am sorry to be obliged to confirm now what I
have said to you in several letters within 3 months
past, viz, that there is no prospect of peace for this
year. Since the death of Lord Rockingham, Lord
Shelburne is made treasurer, and ostensible prem-
ier, with an administration of his own composing,
on the express convention with the King, to con-
868
tinue the war, and refusing to acknowledge the
Independence of America.
An interior cabinet is already formed, as in the
reign of Lord North, where all schemes are first
formed before they are carried to the cabinet coun-
cil to be confirmed.
General Arnold is again openly at court, high
in the King's favor, and frequently closeted with
Lord Shelburne.
These are facts, the truth of which you may rely
on and make known where you think they are
most necessary to be known; as from them you
will see as clearly as I that the war in America
will be renewed again, unless you take advantage
of the enemy's present weakness, and strike an-
other blow.
The time when and the manner how this war
will be renewed perhaps is not yet determined; but
from Arnold being again in high favor, I suppose
the King has revived the plan he had adopted last
winter of sending Gen^. Frazer,* (who is since
dead,) as Commander in Chief, and Arnold as
second, to bum and lay waste every part of
America that they could come at
M^ William Pitt, only 22 years old, is Chan-
cellor of Exchequer; Lord Grantham, secretary in
the place of Lord Shelburne; Tommy Townsend,
* Simon Fraser, sometime Master of I/>vat. He died in
1782.
869
secretary in the room of M*". Fox, and Lord Keppel
quits the administration as soon as they can get
any body to fill his post; it is to be offered to Lord
Howe, as soon as he returns from his present
cruize in the channel.
Colonel Barr6 is paymaster of the forces, and the
treasurership of the navy has been offered to the
Lord Advocate of Scotland (commonly called Lord
Starvation) who is just arrived in London, to
advise with the old Scotch Junto, before he accepts
it
On the whole it is thought that England never
had so feeble, uninformed in business, and un-
connected an ladmiuistration, as this Lord Shel-
burne's will be.
A breath from the King's nostril will dissolve
the whole in a moment, and it seems as if the
nation would behold their dissolution with great
complacency.
Nothing but absolute incapacity to procure men
and money, will prevent the enemy from carrying
into execution next year the scheme the King and
Lord Shelburne have plotted, to carry desolation
thro' America; therefore I hope, advantage will
be taken of their feebleness this year.
I really do not see how it will be possible for
Lord Shelburne to procure money; and as to men,
5,000 from the Irish establishment, 5 or 6,000
British and Irish recruits, and drafts from the
870
British regulars and guards, and about 2 or 3,000
German recruits, will be all the force they will be
able to get, to replace their losses this year and to
carry on their operations next year in the West
Indies and America.
It seems agreed on all sides that Gibraltar must
fall this year. The Dutch fleet are out cruising on
their own coast, but without appearing to design
any more mischief to the enemy's trade, than they
did last year, tho' the English have not a single
ship-of-the-line in the North sea; for every one
they have, as soon as they can be got ready, are
sent to join Lord Howe, who is cruising with 22 sail
on the coast of Ireland to meet and protect a large
fleet from Jamaica, that is expected every day.
The combined fleet of 27 Spanish and 13 French
sail-of-the-line, and about 25 frigates under Don
Cordova, have been taking their summer's amuse-
ment in cruising, for about 3 weeks, between, Scilly
and Lizard without taking a single vessel there,
tho' Lord Howe passed by them, having remained
in their sight for two days, and single ships were
going frequently to join Lord Howe on the coast of
Ireland. — Don Cordova it is said has now gone
back to Cadiz.
A very large and valuable French fleet from
S*. Domingo is arrived safe.
It is reported that Spain has, at length, deter-
mined to acknowledge the Independence of Amer-
ica.
■-.. \
871
Last spring Russia, whose object is to have the
war continue as long as possible, to keep the part-
ies nearly equal, threatened the Dutch, if they did
not make a separate peace with Great Britain.
The Dutch however refused, and since the disaster
of the 12*:?* of April in the West Indies was known,.
Russia has been quiet; for the English have re-
vived their old ideas, and talk of nothing less than:
totally annihilating the navies of France and Spain..
The English papers tell us that Sir James Jay,
since his arrival in London, has had long and
frequent conferences with Lord Shelburne, and
that he is authorized by Congress to settle the
terms of reconciliation between Great Britain and
America.
The English affairs in the East Indies are again
on the decline ; which has made the East India
stock fall 15 p^ c^ , and is still falling. At the be-
ginning of the war it was 282 p"*. 100 stock, and it
is now only 127.
I wish you may get this letter, which goes from
Flanders to Chesapeak, as it contains a full tho*
concise state of public affairs in Europe.
M*". Grenville, who was sometime in Paris, under
the pretext of negotiating a general peace, ha§
been returned to London about a fortnight, and
goes a secretary to his elder brother. Lord Temple,
who is to be created Duke of Buckingham, and
have Lord Rockingham's blue ribbon, and succeed
to the Duke of *
♦The letter ends here.
872
TO SAMUEL THORPE.
Bruxellbs, 27 August, 1782.
Last Post bro't me your favor of the 20^.^ instant
covering your two notes for £^0() S? due the 10
September next, being the amount of the two bills
I remitted to you y^ 9*.^ inst and Col. Faning's
note for ;^89., which you had received for me.
For the recovery of this debt from Col. F. I am en-
tirely indebted to your prudent and decisive con-
duct, and I beg you to accept my sincere acknow-
ledgements for the same. There having been
made last sessions an Act of Parliament for laying
a stamp Duty on inland bills, I am sure you will
excuse me for asking whether notes such as yours
come within the Act; for this being a novel device
in Finance, the circumstance may easily have es-
caped your recollection. I have ever tho't it was
the best method to be explicit and open, as being
the surest way of avoiding misunderstandings be-
tween friends ; therefore I shall be so now with
you. As a proof of the confidence I had in your
judgement Integrity and friendship for me, on
making my last Will a good while ago, I took the
Liberty of naming you as one of my Executors,
trusting that your friendship for the Father would
be extended to his Infant Children, which charge
I must hope you will have the goodness to take
upon yourself whenever the Period for its execu-
tion may arrive. On recollection lately, I think
873
there are cases and opinions in your law Books
that say, all Debts due from an Executor to a de-
ceased Testator are ipso facto annuPd and void on
the Testator's death unless there is something to
show, that the Testator and the Executor under-
stood and intended it shouM be otherwise.
In this situation of things, as life is precarious, I
submit to your consideration whether it may not
be proper for you to send me a certificate con-
ceived somewhat in the following terms:
Whereas W. L. Esq, late Merchant and Alderman
of London, but now resident in the City of Bruxelles
in Brabant, has tho* proper to nominate and appoint
me, S. T., of Aldgate, in the said City of London,
Haberdasher, an Executor of his last Will and Testa-
ment, and whereas I now stand indebted to the said
W. L. in certain sums of money had and received from
him or for his use, and I may so continue to be in-
debted at the time of the decease of the said W. L.
now I do hereby declare and make known to all whom
it may concern, that whatever sum or sums of money
debt or debts may be due and owing from me to y^
said W. L., by Bond Bill note or open Account or
otherwise, at the time of his decease, whenever and
wherever he may happen to depart this Life, shall be
equally due, payable and inure to the use and benefit
of the Heirs, Assigns, or estate, of the said W. L. as
fully and amply to all intents and purposes both in
Law and Equity, as if I, the said S. T. bad not been
so nominated and appointed by the said W. L. an Ex-
874
ecutor of his last Will and Testament. In witness
whereof I have (with the approbation and by the
desire of the said W. L. ) hereunto set my name in
London aforesaid this day of .
In 5 or 6 weeks I hope to be able to furnish you
with ;^500 — but should that fail I expect to re-
ceive £()00 in England, when you may be supplied
with what part you want. I suppose by two
months' notice you mean either by Letter or by a
draft payable 2 Months after sight. You have
managed the affair of Faning with so much judg-
ment and success, that I could not stand excusable
to myself if I did not request you to undertake the
following business. The Money for which you
have a certain Alderman's draft, was not lent to
him, but to Mr. Sam*. Brailsford, who was then a
Merchant and resident in Bristol, and who, to me,
has acted much more reproachfully than the
Alderman, however atrocious his conduct has been
on other occasions. You have inclosed a letter to
Mr. B. which please to read, seal, and forward per
Post, and when you get his answer read that also
before you forward it, that you may know what
passes between us. I have understood that Mr. B.
left Bristol some years ago to reside in the Coun-
tr}', where I do not know; but possibly you may
get his address from ir. Downe in Bartholemew's
Lane in the banking house that was Lascelles,
Marlar, Pell & Downe, or by writing to M^. Tho?
875
MulHtt in Bristol, for whom M^ Alderman Bull
will at any time give you a frank, as they are
intimate friends.
You have M*: Brailsford guarantee for the pay-
ment of W ^ge's draft, and if he does not answer
my letter properly and put the debt in a way of
payment in the course of next month, it will be
necessary to commence an action against him to
prevent the act of Limitation from taking place
until better times, when I can take the trouble off
your hands.
Your plan of indorsing the Lottery ticket when
you buy one for me is good, for Life you know is
precarious; but send me the N° that I may sing and
be merry when I see it announced a ;^20,ooo in
the papers. You may see by this that nothing
less will satisfy me. Don't forget Banks and the
Civilian when you are at leisure.
TO ARTHUR LEE.
BKUXKhhnSf 30 August, 1782.
Dear Brother :
Some days ago I sent from hence two packets for
you to be forwarded from Paris, containing dupli-
cate Proved account and power of Attorney to pros-
ecute the Attachments against the effects of De
Berdt & C?, and a protested bill for ;^300 Sterling
to be recovered in Maryland. Yesterday I received
876
a Letter from Dl Franklin, a Copy of which you
have on the other side, which cost me some trouble
and expence to obtain : you will perceive he does
not deny having received my former letter on this
subject of the SV* of July, which he never answered,
but now when pushed he tells me plainly that I
am not to expect the money from him; thus you
see what advantage has been taken of the loose
wording of y*; resolves of Congress to buffet me
from Phil*^ to Passy, and from Passy to Phil* , and
I suppose y*: next kick attempted, will be to Mad-
rid or Petersburg. This, you know from my former
Letters, was what I expected would be practiced;
therefore, 'tis unnecessary to observe on the
Doctor's letter, tho' I can't help remarking the
Malignant and studied insult of the paragraph be-
ginning — **I hope" &c. You will therefore
oblige me much by getting immediate payment of
this debt from M^ Morris, either in his own bills of
Exchange on Paris or Amsterdam, or in money
equal to the value according to the Exchange, for
it will be doubly cruel after being curtailed in my
Demand and spending my own Money in Europe
on the public Account which I was obliged to draw
from England at a considerable loss, to compel me
to receive the debt in America in a manner that I
may loose 15 or 20 p ct more in the Exchange.
Should any objection be started that you are not
legally authorised to receive "the money, I am to
877
inform you that my Bl F. I^. Lee, has an old but
ample power of attorney to act in all cases for me;
therefore he can easily authorise you to receive the
money, if you should find that such an authoriza-
tion is requisite.
TO RICHARD HENRY LEE.
Bruxki«LBS, I October, 1782.
You ask me in your favor of the 18*? of last July
whether I have any written or verbal assumption
from our late Br , Col. P. L. Lee, to pay all our
Father's Money Legacies. In reply I must answer
that I have not, and for my own part, I never
asked, nor would I ever have accepted of any such
assumption from him, so as to have made my de-
mand a debt due from him alone. Equal Justice
however calls some one to declare, what I shall be
always ready to testify on Oath when call'd upon,
viz, that I have never applyed to any body for the
payment of what was due to me and my Sister
agreeable to her regular assignment under the Will
of our Father, but to Our Br , P. L. Lee, for these
reasons — first, he was the Sole acting Executor or
Administrator, therefore he was the only regularly
legal Person for me to apply to, and from him only
did I ever receive any partial payments, a full pay-
ment not being made at this day. Secondly —
Having had full access for years to, and made re-
i
878
peated examinations of, all the Books, Bonds, Notes
and Accounts and papers that my father left at his
Death, I always found that there was much more
money due to my Father's Estate in G. B. and
America than was amply sufficient to pay all the
Debts due from the Estate and all the Pecuniary
Legacies or Devices in my Father's Will ; and of
my own personal knowledge, I can declare that
our B^. , P. ly. Lee, as Executor to our Father, re-
ceived almost the whole that was due to him at the
time of his Death by Bond, Note, Account, &c, ex-
cept some very trifling and insignificant sums in-
deed, and a demand against M^ Fitzgerald, a mer-
chant in London, who has long since become a
Bankrupt, tho' many years after my Father's
death; but this demand I never took into Account
as a good debt. Thirdly, the produce of the whole
of my Father's Estate for the years 1750, 175I1
1752, and I believe, of 1753 also, was received by
our B*! , P. L. Lee, and as to myself I can declare
that the whole expended on me for Education and
Cloathing from Nov. 1750, when my Father dyed,
to Sept. 1758, when I came of Age, did not
Amount to 50;^ Sterling ; besides that, for the
three last years I acted for my Brother, as his Clerk-
Steward and principal manager of his whole Es-
tate, for which in Justice he ought to have allowed
me a Salary of 30 or 40;^ St'g p. annum, exclusive
of my maintenance.
879
*
For these two last reasons therefore, I always
tho't it just that our B"*. , P. L. Lee, shou'd pay the
whole of our Father's Pecuniary Legacies or De-
vises out of that part of his Estate, which he solely
received and injoy'd. I have only to add, that I
earnestly request of you to have the Account I
lately transmitted to our B^ , F. L. Lee, against
my Father's Estate settled and put in a way of pay-
ment immediately; otherwise the Duty I owe my
Family will compel to institute a Suit directly in
order to bring the affair to a conclusion. On this
head let me beg for your answer as soon as pos-
sible, and by various conveyances.
TO RICHARD HENRY LEE.
Bruxbi«i«ES, I October, 1782.
I have received and thank you for your letter of
y^ iS^.'^of last July. If M^ Beale does not pay the
money you demand for my Tobacco, he will have
much outwitted Ml Valentine, and gain'd a con-
siderable advantage of me, for I know he cannot
return me better Tobacco, since I know from long
experience that there is none so good or so val-
ueable made in Virginia, except by y*: Burwells,
near Williamsburg, and y*. famous E. D., near
York. However, for the future I now request that
no more of my Tobacco made on y^. Estate, may be
disposed of in any manner, without particular
880
orders from me. I do not know what your present
currency is. How much is a Guinea, or a Dollar
in Specie, legally worth j * * *
The plan you seem to think best to be adopted
for my Son, I know is utterly impracticable to any
good purpose, therefore you can easily judge of my
embarrassment to determine what is best to be
done, in my situation. A good Seminary for
y? Education of youth being so very essential to
y* well being, happiness and prosperity of a Com-
munity; I am greatly astonished that your Govern-
ment permits y^. College of William & Mary to be
neglected. If some wise and vigorous measures
are not taken to remedy this evil, 'tis evident that
your State must ever be dependent and inferior to
y*: Northern and Eastern States. A word or two
on Politics. But first, I must Say that your re-
serve on that head is less warranted now than ever,
because you have some body to write a letter for
you and no name being signed or place mentioned,
no one could tell from whom it came, therefore it
could be of no consequence should it miscarry, or
fall into y^. hands of a Public or Private Enemy.
No military operation of y*: least importance has
happened in Europe last Summer. The Dutch
have acted worse if possible this year than they did
the last: They are a wretched, undone and ruined
People forever, beyond redemption ; therefore I am
sorry that M*: A[dams] has but y*; other day Signed
88i
a Treaty of Commerce between them and America;
by which they have, in my opinion, many ad-
vantages and America not one. Gibraltar is not
taken, nor likely to be so, at least as far as we
know; though y*. Duke de Crillon has been be-
sieging it upwards of 3 months, with 36,000 men
French and Spaniards. The combined fleet of 50
sail of the Line is moored in y^ Bay before it, and
L^ Howe is gone with 35 Sail of the Line to throw
in succors, so that every day we expect to hear of
bloody work. The Negotiations for Peace will be
bro*. to a conclusion, or at least a certainty of a
conclusion, within six weeks from this time —
whether for Peace or War, I will not take upon me
to decide, tho' I may conjecture it will be for
y? former. The only obstacles to a General Peace
for some months past, have certainly been these:
Spain insists on Gibraltar, without giving any
thing in Exchange; France insists on having the
Newfoundland Fishery, agreeable to her Treaty
with America, and some particular advantages in
y* E. Indies. These Demands England has not
yet consented to, and probably will not consent to
them all. * * * *
TO BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.
Bruxbi«];es, 7 October, 1782.
I have the honor to send you herewith a copy of
i
884
the hands of my banker in Paris^ Mill I receive
youi farther orders, as I have not any immediate
prospect of employing it to a certain advantage in
commerce, for it will not be pmdent to engage in
any enterprize jnst at the eve of a peace. My
Banker allows only 3 per cenL per annum interest,
unless the money is lodged in his hands for a year
certain, and then he will give 4 per cent interest ;
but this I cannot agree to, as I don't know when
you will want the money. I have received in part
of Cte de C note ^^i 2,000, and ^^i 2,000 are I hope
secured, that is, I have for them a bill on the
French Treasury- of Marine for ^^12,000, accepted
and due the beginning of March nexL This bill
being paid, you may reckon in my hands twenty-
eight thousand livres. But there is an old account
of about ;^I5 sterling due from you to Mr. B.
B[rown] which I must pay. You will recollect
also that there still remains two accounts of J. A.
D[urbrick] & Co unsettled, in one of which y^
Company claims about ^^300 sterling, and in the
other about £jooo le\4es are claimed from the
Company. The Company's claim of ^^300 sterling
is clearly a just one, but being complicated and the
part>'s dispersed, I begin to fear the money will not
be recovered. The demand of £7000 against the
Company is evidently unjust, and therefore will
not be paid unless the law compels it to be sa
When the convevance is more certain than at
885
present you shall have an account current; tho'
from this letter you may easily understand the
state of your property in my hands.
P. S. If you have occasion to draw for any part
of this money, you may draw on me at Messrs.
Freres Overman, Bruxelles, but your bills should
be payable in I^ouis at Paris, and at two or three
months' sight*
TO ARTHUR LEE.
BRUSSSI3, 26 October, 1782.
Dear Brother:
By M^ Wright and Genl Du Portail (who I sup-
pose carried Dispatches to Congress from the
American Commissioners at Paris, with advice of
the formal acknowledgment of American In-
dependence by the King and Ministers of G. B.,
and y^ negotiations for a General Peace being
seriously commenced at Paris,) sent duplicates of
my proved Accounts against De Berdt & C^ , with
a power of attorney to prosecute the Suit, and a
protest for a Bill drawn by Hall & O? , in
Maryland, for ;^300 stg: on West and Hobson in
London, indorsed by Stephen West I wrote to
you by two conveyances that M'. Andrew Allen,
* Addressed to "Mr. Lotsom;'* and on the outer sheet is writ-
ten " Mr. A. Lee is requested to inclose and forward this letter
to Mr. Lotfiom."
886
who was my original Attorney and Councillor
in the attachment against y? effects of De Berdt &
C? had informed me that an account could not
tiow be necessary, as y? Debt had been ascertained
by the Verdict of a Jury in y5 Court of Com.
Pleas, where a interlocutory Judgment had been
enter'd; but before final Judgment was entered,
M^. R[eed] removed the cause by certiorari to the
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. But should it be
necessary to have the original Account, &c, if they
can't be found in the Prothonotary's office of
Pennsylv^ , they must be amongst his papers in
New York, for which purpose he has given me the
inclosed Letter to M*: And^ Elliot, [who] will
deliver y^. order.
I have received your favor of y^ 7V* of August last,
covering a resolve of Congress that I should apply
to DT Franklin for payment of the Debt due to me,
and a bill on Mess^! Overman for ;^i65.i9. Stg.
The bill is accepted, but you must be greatly mis-
taken about the Exchange, which is as high and
even higher than before the War. If you are
right, Specie Money must be in abundance with
you. The order of Congress I had a few daies be-
fore received from M': Secretary Livingston ; and
to take away all possibility of excuse from ,D^. F.,
I drew on him for the amount of the debt due to
me payable in April next; after a fortnight's con-
sideration he accepted my bills, but being satisfied
887
he will make use of every pitiful chicane to keep
the money from me, I shall not think myself se-
cure until he has paid my bills, the value of which
I am determined now to have of him, if there is
Law or Justice this side the grave. I have already
sent you Duplicates of D*! F.'s letter wherein he
positively refused last Summer to pay this Money.
M^ J[enin]gs is y^ only person here that can prove
that D^. Franklin knew I have been fixed here for
three years past, and he, in his usual manner,,
evades signing any certificate for that purpose.
The motives you can't be at a loss to conceive, as.
you know the Man. — The 127 living of -^. Morris^
will be downfall & ruin in y^ end. "Give a
Rogue rope enough & he will soon hang himself."
Be quiet and watchful, as Franklin is; and the
business will bye and bye fall into your mouth.
Adams finding that 59 is absolute in Congress is
mild as a Lamb, and thinks 59 perfectly right in
the prosecution of A. Lee, His present object is,
to ingratiate himself that he may be permitted to
be Minister in England. This opinion of Adams
is perfectly just. M*: Adams is just gone to Paris ;
he says you highly approve M^ Jay's conduct.
This I doubt, because you must be greatly misin-
formed in many respects if you do. M^ Jay and
ly. Franklin, without even consulting M^. Adams
or any Body else, have agreed to appoint young
M'. Temple Franklin, Secretary to the American
t
888
Commissioners for making peace. Gov^ Franklin,
with Genl Arnold, are the favorites.
TO BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.
Bruxbi«i«BS, 12 November, 1782.
Sir:
I have had the honor of receiving your letter of
the 20^^ of last month, informing me that you had
accepted my several bills, amounting to forty-six
thousand one hundred and ninety-six livres, nine-
teen sols, payable the la*** of April next, and you
add ** I confide, that you will not hazard the credit
of Congress by indorsing .any of them to others,
till you have heard from me that I am likely to be
in cash."
This does not surprise me, as coming from DT
Franklin, especially when I have in my hands the
following extract from his letter of the 30^ of
March last, to the Superintendent of Finance, who
had ordered him twelve months ago to pay this
money, viz: *' No demand has been made on me by
M^W™ Lee. I do not know where he is." — At
that moment, Doc^ Franklin knew where I was,
as well as any man existing, who had not his eyes
on me.
I know. Sir, that the money has been already
lodged in your hands, for the specific purpose of
paying the debt due to me, which you have
889
hitherto unjustly withheld; consequently the credit
of Congress^ is at present out of the question with
respect to me, in this business.
Therefore I am compelled to inform you, that I
am not, in any manner, disposed to be trifled with
any longer, and that you must take care to pay the
bills punctually, which you have accepted.
I have the honor to be, &c.
TO ARTHUR LEE.
Bruxbu^BS, 20 November, 1782.
Dear Brother:
I have received your letter of the 22?** and 24*.^
September with a note of the 6\^ of Oct**^- The
greatest part of its contents have been in fact an-
swer'd by several letters written to you, in the
course of 3 months past, and sent by various op-
portunities.
To guard as much as I can against farther tricks
or evasion of DT Franklin, about paying the bills
he has accepted for the debt due me from Congress,
I enclose you the correspondence that has passed
between us, since I received MT Secretary Living-
ston's letter of July last. MT Geo. Fox, a native of
Phil* , and has a brother there, spent a part of last
winter in Bruxelles, was frequently with me, and
in March went from hence to Paris. He was inti-
mate at Passy, and being now on his way home.
890
when he arrives you may possibly from him, get
viva voce proof that DT F. knew where I was the
30^** of March last This is, however, certain, that
he almost every day sees M^ Grand or some of his
family, and he always knew that MT Grand was my
banker; therefore he could not be at any loss to
find out where I was, had he been disposed to pay
me.
The trick you will see evidently originates with
R. Morris. T. Lee can tell you what passed be-
tween him and M*: L<ovell in Dec*! last, about this
business, who said to my nephew that he had
written to me on the subject, and sent 4 copies of
his letter, but I neither received original nor any
copy, of such letter, — therefore — but enough.
Whenever there is peace, which those out of the
circle of the cabinets do not see any kind of cer-
tainty of, for this winter, at least, America will do
well to rest upon her arms, and not to be in a
hurry to form farther European connections.
Her whole attention should be applied to cor-
recting the abuses and disorders, that have arisen
from the war. By providing good seminaries of
education in each of the states; a steady, wise, and
regular system of government and administration,
procure the happiness of the present age, as well
as of posterity; and by economy in expenditures
and judicious imposition of taxes, to pay oflF its
public debt, without injury to Agriculture and
891
population. These are objects well worthy of the
whole attention of your wise and virtuous patriots.
Pray present my compliments to D^ Williamson,
and when he has a leisure moment to spare, I
shall be glad to hear from him.
Col. Gorham, just come from England, asserts
that orders have been sent six weeks ago, not to
evacuate Cha*. Town. The truth of this, you can
judge of, from the fact. If it is not evacuated, it
will be a decisive proof, that the secret design of
renewing the American war is not relinquished in
the British cabinet, and of course, you should
exert every nerve, to take advantage of the
enemy's present weakness, and drive them by
force out of the territories of the 13 states next
year. L*? Shelburne and his motley band, seem to
be in a very unsteady state. The general opinion
in England, is that he cannot keep his ground;
but that cannot be ascertained till after the meet-
ing of Parliam*. the 26V* ins*. . My opinion of him
is not altered, and you know that is, that he is a
very great fully equal to D^ F.
We were told last year, that M^. Paradise had
lost all his negroes by the invasion of the enemy,
and that the lands were confiscated; but he has
lately as we are told, received a remittance of be-
tween 3 & 400 £ s\J. in bills, from his steward,
which is double of what I have received.* Pray
♦February, 1782, Gary Wilkinsou, agent for John Paradise,
892
explain this to me. — Comp*. , if you please to MT
I[zar]d and all friends. Adieu.
TO RICHARD HENRY LEE.
Bruxbi^i^BS, 22 November, 1782.
My dear Brother:
I received your letter of the 18*.^ of July last, and
answered it, via Amsterdam and Boston the, i^* of
October. A copy was sent by a M^. Bell, from Os-
tend to Baltimore or Philadelphia, and another
copy was sent to M^. Dobr^e at Nantes, to forward
from thence. Since that I have received your let-
ter of the 8^ October and 15^** November, 1781,
which my nephew Thom:, your son, was to have
forwarded from Phil^ in Dec^. last ; but it did not
leave that city till August. I feel myself much
oblig'd by the public news you gave me, which
would have been very interesting, had your letter
come to hand in the reasonable time you had a
right to expect. I have not heard of either Colo:
Monroe or Parker being arrived in Europe, but you
may be always assured that every service and
civility in my power, will be rendered to any one
that you think worthy of your recommendation.
filed a claim against the French intendant for wood cut from
the Ludwell estate. Affidavits were submitted to prove that
Paradise was neither a refugee nor a British subject, as had
been charged. — Calendar of Virginia State Papers^ III., 67.
893
I would cheerfully send you such new publica-
tions as I can get here, that are worth your atten-
tion, if I could find any method of conveying them
to you, but this I cannot do at present Indeed, I
find infinite difficulty in getting a letter to you;
for after they reach Philadelphia, as the former
practice of a certain great man there,* seems now
to have become universal in that city — the letters
are either opened and destroyed, or kept there
several months.
The public occurrences in Europe last campaign,
are hardly worth mentioning.
The Dutch have thrown away two 64 gun ships
— ^lost in the North sea. All attempts against
Gibraltar have been fruitless, tho' attended with
great loss and infinite expense to Spain.
I have much reason to believe there has been
much black work with respect to America, in the
negotiations at Paris last summer, which 'tis prob-
able will never be brought fully to light; at least I
fear so, from knowing well all those you have had
there, to watch over the interest of America.
'Tis unfortunate that MT Laurens refused at first
to act as a commissioner for negotiating a peace;
nor do I know yet that he will act, after receiving
another call from Congress to take upon him that
office; for we hear that he is most deeply affected
at the death of his son.
* Robert Morris.
894
Whether we shall have peace or not, this winter,
is really more than I can determine at present;
but we shall be able to judge better in a few days,
for the British parliament meets the 26^^ of this
month. In what state the negotiations are that
still go on at Paris, the public are not certainly
informed; but this the most intelligent assert to be
truth, that the terms insisted on by France and
Spain, particularly the latter, are such as Great
Britain cannot agree to.
American independence is, and has been from
the beginning, out of the question with Great
Britain. I am however inclined to think we must
have peace soon, for both Great Britain and Spain
are entirely exhausted both of men and money.
The revenues of France are somewhat embar-
rassed, and there is a cloud hanging over in the
north, that will probably break out into a dreadful
storm if she continues this war another year.
Notwithstanding this the preparations of France
and Great Britain are such that it looks as if they
intended a warm campaign in the West Indies
next year.
Count D'Estaing is gone to Cadiz, to take com-
mand of a strong fleet, that is to go as soon as they
can be got ready with 10 or 12,000 land forces to
the West Indies.
We have had such dreadful weather last summer
and fall, that there is a general scarcity of all
895
kinds of grain in Great Britain and Ireland, which,
has already been productive of great murmurs,
and open riots.
Here the frost is now as severe as it was any
time last winter, and every appearance looks as if
we should have a most severe winter. * *
TO WILLIAM DOLMAN.
BruxbllBS, 2o November, 1782.
The difficulty of getting a letter to you for some
years past, has prevented me from writing to you
so often as I should otherwise have done, relative
to your Estate in England, which I formerly had
the management of. Since I left L<ondon, your
Aunt, Mr* Dolman, has dyed, and I hear the little
freehold Estate she was in possession of, that you
are properly heir at Law to, is now got into the
possession of a very artful cunning man, who is
determined not to give it up without a Lawsuit.
The tenants on the Freehold Estate which I form-
erly got possession of for you, since my leaving
England refuse to pay any rent, and keep posses-
sion of the houses as their own property. This
they have been able to do Pm a very great omission
or Fault in the power of Attorney you sent to me.
For you did not give me any authority to empower
or authorize any person to act under me; therefore
when I left England, there was no body legally
896
.impowered to receive y* rents and keep possession
of the Estate for you, which y^ Tenants have
taken y^ advantage of, and intend now to keep
their several tenements as belonging to themselves*
The leases of your Lease-hold Estates in Houses,
in Several parts of the suburbs of London, which
bro't you the greatest part of your annual rent,
have been long since expired, therefore what
Estate you have now remaining, that is, to which
you have a legal right, consists of between two and
three acres of Land, part Freehold and Copyhold,
on which there are several little houses and some
little gardens as big as the floor of a 40-foot To-
bacco house.
In this situation of your affairs I did not imagine
that you would ever hereafter receive one shilling
benefit from this Estate, and that you would be
like several others that I know in Virginia who
have a legal right to large Estates in England, but
have never been able to get possession of them or
one shilling f'm them; however, lately application
has been made to me to purchase y? whole of your
Estate both Freehold and Copyhold and your right
to the little Estate that your Aunt dyed possessed
of. This person offers to pay Eight hundred
pounds Sterling for the whole as soon as ever he is
put into possession — ^but I think if you choose to
sell it, that he will give one thousand pounds
Sterling for y^ whole ; and if you incline to give me
897
full and proper powers, I think I can contrive to
get him put into possession, when he must pay
down the money. If you were to ask my advice
what to do, I should cetainly advise you to accept
this offer without a moment's hesitation, for as
things are circumstanced, when I leave Europe,
which I probably do next year, you will hardly
find an opportunity of selling this Estate, and I
am satisfied you cannot now get any thing from
the rents, as the present tenants will not pay any-
thing and are determined to keep possession as
long as they can. I remember upwards of twenty
years ago, a poor old planter in your Country, who
had a right to an Estate in England that was a
very valuable one indeed. Some person wrote to
him from England and offer' d him ;^io,ooo Stg.
for y? Estate, which his silly Friends in Virg^ ad-
vised him to refuse; the Consequence was, that the
poor old planter in the upper parts of Westmoreland
who is since dead, never got one Shilling for the
Estate, and the Tenants, who were then in pos-
session, have kept it as their own ever since.
Should you be disposed to sell your Estate, you
should without loss of time get a full and proper
power of attorney drawn up, authorizing and em-
powering me to get possession of for you as heir-
at-Law to Thomas Dolman, late of Virg^ , de-
ceased, who was BT and Heir-at-Law to W^ Dol-
man, late of old Street Road in y^ County of
898
Middlesex in Great Britain, deceased, all y^ Estate
or Estates whether leasehold Copyhold or Freehold
in y? Kingdom of G. B., particularly in y* County
of Middlesex in the Kingdom aforesaid, which
were in possession of, or were y^ property of the
said W^ Dolman, and for that purpose to com-
mence prosecute and bring to final conclusion, one
or more Action or Actions, Suit or Suits at Law
or in Equity, ejectment or ejectments and to take
all legal measures that may be requisite for the
purposes aforesaid. To ask, demand, and receive
or recover, by distress or otherwise, or to make
compositions for the same, all rents or dues what-
soever that are or may become due and owing
from or on account of any or all of the aforesaid
Estates. To rent by lease or otherways any part
or y? whole of y^ said Estate, or Estates at such
yearly rent or conditions as to me may appear most
benefitial for your interests; To sell dispose of in
perpetuity and for ever, for you and in your name,
any part or y* whole of the said Estate or Estates
to one or more person or persons for such sum or
sums of money as may appear to me a reasonable
value for the same. To substitute or appoint one
or more attorney or attorneys to act under me,
with the same powers and authority that you give
me. In short you must get some able and skillful
Lawyer to draw up this power of attorney for you,
and when you have regularly Signed it, you must
899
get two or three aflSdavits that your Father and
Mother were legally married, and that you were
born in proper time after they were so legally
married. The power of attorney and y^ affidavits
should be recorded in y* Geul Court, and you
should send me by two diflFerent opportunities
Copies of y? Records with y^ State Seal affixed to
them. I will recommend you to Richard Lee,
esq^ , of Lee Hall, to assist you in getting these
papers properly drawn up and to contrive them to
me.
TO ARTHUR LEE.
BRUXBI.LSS, 17 December, 1782.
Dear Sir:
* * * Before this reaches you, no doubt, Con-
gress will receive the provisional articles of peace
between Great Britain and America, signed by the
commissioners on each side the 30*.** ult? at Paris;
but as they are not to take eflFect 'till a peace is
concluded between France and Great Britain, I
know not how to congratulate you at present on
the occasion; for 'tis certain that Lord Shelburne,
the premier in England, and the King's confidant,
and the Duke of Richmond have declared as their
sense of these articles, that they are to be invalid
to all intents and purposes, if the present negotia-
tions with Prance should not end in a peace; and
900
. it looks very much as if they were determined to
have them so construed, as they have hitherto de-
clined to lay them before Parliament, tho' re-
peatedly called upon so to do by MT Fox and
others, that they may be irrevocably ratified.
It is also true, that M^ Pitt, Chancellor of the
Exchequer, Gen^. Conway, and T. Townsend, Sec-
retary of State, have declared in the House of
Commons, that they conceive the articles to be
irrevocable; however, this contrariety of opinion
in the British ministers, is one striking proof of
the duplicity and faithlessness of Lord Shelbume,
and will no doubt prevent Congress from taking
any measures in consequence of their being signed
until they are ratified by Parliament, or the event
of peace with France takes place, which is to bring
them into eSect, unless it be to get well supplied
with all kind of stores, and be well provided if
Great Britain should hereafter either be capable,
or desirous of renewing the war in America; tho*
indeed I do not conceive this can happen, for I am
inclined to think the terms of peace between Great
Britain and France are at this moment settled,
and agreed upon, or will be so, before the new
year begins.
England is totally exhausted, both of men and
money, and France wishes much for peace, as she
is likely to have very soon work enough on her
hands. This I can't venture to explain to you
goi
here, but you may be assured that a great and
terrible conflagration in Europe is nearly on the
point of breaking out; in which France is deeply
concerned.
The old work of stock -jobbing has been carried
on between Paris and London. I have seen a late
letter from a gentleman in London to his friend
here, in which are these words, —
**It is said that several of our countrymen, now at
Paris, and in the confidence of the American negotia-
tors, have made considerable sums, in consequence of
their early intelligence.'*
However, this moment of universal joy for
peace is not perhaps the proper period for exposing
or bringing to justice either the great or little
rogues, but that salutary work should not be
neglected when the proper season arrives.
In Holland things seem to be coming fast to a
crisis; the Prince's party have begun with raising
riots at the Hague and Amsterdam. All the cities
in Holland, Zealand, Friesland, and Oberyssell have
determined to appoint their own magistrates and
officers, that were before appointed by the Prince of
Orange. This he is determined to oppose vi et
armis.
In England, Lord Shelburne seems to have made
up his band of the dependents on the Treasury,
and those insignificant individuals, that did not be-
fore belong to any party, such as Lord Abingdon,
902
Gen? Conway, Geo. Dempster, &c. His Lordship
is determined to seize all the patronage and riches
of the East Indies, which with the Treasury, he
thinks, will bring him dependents and support
enough, especially as the Bedfords are kept down
by the immense plunder of Rigby.
Lord North, who never had any party or influ-
ence but from the Treasury, is silent, and the Rock-
inghams, somewhat weakened by the desertion of
the Duke of Richmond, whose pride and paltry
vanity was galled at his not being chosen for the
head and leader instead of the Duke of Portland.
These things I know, are totally immaterial to
America, but they may be amusing to you and our
friend MT Izard, to whom I pray you to present my
best respects.
The English papers tell us that DT Franklin has
already declared that Congress shall appoint con-
suls in Dublin, and the other principal ports in Ire-
land, as soon as there is peace.
'Tis probable that in his sovereign will, he has
also, already, fixed on the persons who are to be
consuls, not only in Ireland but in England and
Holland too.
Our best wishes and love attend you and all
friends. Adieu.
903
TO HENRY LAURENS.
Bruxeixbs, 24 December, 1782.
I have just received your favor of the 21^ inst,
and at the same time that I acknowledge my obli-
gations to you for it, I must confess that I read its
contents and that of the anonymous letter accom-
panying it, with more astonishment than anything
I ever read in my life. In answer to the Nefarious
accusation bro't against me of being the Writer or
Author of the Anonymous Letter, I can only de-
clare to you upon my Honor, which with me has
ever been and always shall be as Sacred as the
most solemn Oath, that I am not the Author or
writer of that Letter, that I do not know who the
Author or Writer is, nor anything of its Contents.
As I take it for granted that MT Adams, whom this
anonymous Letter writer seems particularly anx-
ious to traduce, has been acquainted with the
AfiFair, I must desire that you will do me the
Justice to communicate to him what I have here
written. Now Sir, I have a request to make which
I am sure you cannot in Justice or Candor refuse to
comply with.
It is this, that you will explicitly and by return
of Post give me the Name of that person who told
you in London that Will Lee of Bruxelles was the
Author of that anonymous Letter of which you
sent me a copy, and also the name of that third
Person whose hand writing was produced in proof
904
the charge. I have Charity enough to suppose
that there may be a mistake somewhere in this
business, for I am unwilling to believe that there
is one among your friends in England, or else-
where, so much my Enemy, and so infamously
wicked, as designedly and Wittingly to charge me
so untruly, with such a mean, base and horrible
deed. I shall expect your answer with much im-
patience and the mean time with great regard and
Respect I remain, &c.
TO HENRY LAURENS.
BRUXELI.9S, 25 December, 1782.
I had received and answered yesterday your favor
of the 21 inst. directing to you at the Hotel De
York, Rue Jacob. Since which I have received a
copy of your Letter, which came here under cover
to Mess!* Fr^res Overmann, and as you add in a
Postscript that ^^ the subject treated of is now be-
come very important^^^ I subjoin hereto a copy of
my Letter of yesterday's date, and shall put this
under cover to MT Grand, desiring him to send it to
you immediately, as you have not pointed out any
mode for me to direct to you.
I am utterly at a loss to conceive how this aflFair
can have become very important to any one but my-
self ; but as you say so, I am sure you must agree
with me in opinion, that I am now warranted in
905
Insisting on the Name of the Person who charges
me with the fact and the name of the third person
whose hand writing was produced in support of the
charge, being immediately communicated to me.
I shall not say one word more on the subject at
present, least passion (for I am naturally warm on
such occasions,) shou'd hurry me beyond the
bounds of temper. MT* Lee unites with me in best
Compliments to yourself and your worthy Sou, and
with great Esteem and Respect, I am. Dear Sir. &c.
TO WILLIAM BRIDGEN.
Bruxeixes, 3 January, 1783.
I received lately a letter from Henry Laurens
Esq., dated in Paris the 21st of last month, wherein
he says, **0n the i"* June last at Antwerp I rec?
from a friend in London Copy of an Anonymous
Letter which he said, he had received in a disguised
handfrom^ as he guessed^ a most worthy American
Gentleman who was honor and truth itself, '^'^ A
copy of that Copy of the anonymous Letter sent to
me by MT Laurens you will find annex' d hereto.
MT Laurens adds thus,
**When I returned to London, I made a point of
interrogating my friend respecting the supposed
author of that wicked performance; he told me M^
Lee, or in his own words, Will Lee of Bruxelles is
the man." It wou'd not be easy for me to express
9o6
the indignation I felt on finding myself thus un-
justly accused of a most infamous and wicked
action; however I wrote instantly to Mr Laurens in
the most positive terms, denying that I was either
the Author or writer of that base Letter, adding
that I did not know who the Author or writer was,
nor anything about its contents, and at the same
time desired that MT Laurens wou'd communicate
to me directly the Name of his friend in London,
who had asserted to him that Will Lee of Brux-
elles was the Author of the Anonymous Letter in
question. In reply Mr Laurens, with that Candor
and Honor which marks all his Conduct, immedi-
ately writes to me thus the 28?^ ult? — **It was late
last Evening when your favor of the 24?* appeared.
There happened to be a friend in the house who
was just on the point of departure for London. I
embraced the favorable opportunity and write to
MT Bridgen, from whom I had received the infor-
mation which you so anxiously and so very natur-
ally wish to develope." MT Laurens also auth-
orises me to send you a copy of his whole letter,
which does not at present seem to me necessary to
be done. Thus, Sir, the Charge is bro't home to
you in the first instance of accusing me of a most
base wicked and infamous action, but I will not
suppose at this time that the accusation originated
with you, therefore must now insist that you will
immediately, and in the most explicit terms, let
907
me know, on what authority, you have made this
accusation against me. I shall expect Chapter and
verse, that is, precision in dates, words, names,
&c., if you have any written authority to ground
your accusation upon. This, Sir, your Justice and
your own Honor call upon you to comply with in-
stantly and a due regard to my wounded reputation
compels me to demand of you. I shall expect your
answer by the first mail, which you will please to
put under a Cover addressed thus A. M. Fr^res
Overman, Neg**, Bruxelles.
I have the Honor to be Sir &c.
TO HENRY LAURENS.
Bruxbixbs, 3 January, 1783.
I duly received your two favors both dated the
28^* Ult? and have written to M^ Bridgen (a copy
of which you will have herewith), by this day's
Mail, which, is the first for England since your
Letters came to hand. Tho' I was astonished be-
yond description at the contents of your first Let-
ter on this subject, yet I must confess that your
subsequent ones have really plunged me into a
Labyrinth of amazement. Had not the fact really
happened one wou'd have conceiv'd it to be incred-
ible that a person so perfectly retired as I have
been for above three years past, and two thirds of
the time in such a miserable state of health, as to
9o8
call for more meditation on another world, than
concern with what passes in this wicked one in
which we live, shouM be draggled in neck and
shoulders, as the principal Agent in a dark and vil-
lainous Plot.
By whom this has been done, I must expect to
learn in a short time from MT Bridgen; but I can't
delay conveying to you my sincerest thanks for the
Manly and candid manner you have acted in the
whole affair, which has my warmest approbation,
and I shall ever hold myself your debtor, for afford-
ing me the opportunity of vindicating my at-
tainted character, and bringing the Assassin forth
to view.
MT Adams is totally mistaken in one part at least
of his mights^ for I solemnly declare that the
Anonymous letter in question never was in my
hands in any manner or form whatever, therefore
No Person without a Lye direct, ^"^ might say he
had it from w^."
If there is no impropriety in answering me, I
shall be obliged to you for telling me when you in-
tend to leave Paris, and when you do, if you pro-
pose to go to America.
TO THOMAS BARCLAY.
BruxBLI«KS, 9 January, 1783.
Dear Sir:
I have received your letter of y^ 20V* Ult? , cover-
909
ing an advertisement informing y* Public that you
are now the sole agent for the State of Virginia,
which you desire me to have inserted in y? Brux-
elles Gazette and any other that I may think proper.
In consequence I have had it inserted in y? Brux-
elles Gazette of this day, as you will see by the in-
closed, and have taken measures to have it inserted
in two others in this Country, and two in Germany,
that are extensively circulating and commercial
papers. The whole expence shall be conveyed to
you as soon as I know it. You say,
** That some time ago y? State of Virg* had appointed
you agent to complete some engagements which were
begun with y* court of France.'* And that ** You
had received a letter from the Governor in Council, ex-
pressing a great deal of uneasiness least y^ Person who
was formerly agent for y* State might have made, or
should make, an Improper use of the Power with which
he was invested; and directing you to take such meas-
ures to prevent the evil Consequences, as to you should
seem most proper/*
But you do not mention, who this former agent
was; therefore for very particular and cogent
Reasons, which you may know if you desire it, I
must request you will be so good as to give me the
Name of the former Agent, that y^GovT in council
in Virginia has expressed much uneasiness least he
should have, or may abuse his Trust. I am happy
in returning you my congratulations on y? prospect
9IO
of Peace which I believe and hope is not far distant.
The Inclosed letter to my Brother, I beg you will
be kind enough to inclose to your Correspondent in
Phil* , and forward it by the first vessel that sails
for America.
P. S. I shall be obliged to you for y? American
Papers, whenever you can meet with any private
hand coming this way.
TO HENRY LAURENS.
Bruxbi^i^SS, 14 January, 1783.
Dear Sir:
I have received your two favors of y? 7 and 8V*
instant, the first of which I should have acknow-
edged sooner had I not been reattacked by my old
Companion the Rheumatism, which I verily be-
lieve has been brought on by the vexation I have
suflFered about y? dirty business that has been y*
subject of our late Correspondence. I felt not a
little for you, who at such an unhappy period,
should be compelled to take an active part in such
an odious business. The Original Author is a
base, mean and wicked creature, and the inter-
mediate medling Characters, if not as wicked, or
more so, as they hereafter appear, must at least be
stamped as impertinently officious Blockheads,
similar to those busy, medling Fools, that we have
often seen depicted on y? Stage. I have known
911
frequent instances where Men, who have been said
by y? World, to have good hearts^ and to be mighty
good sort of men^ do much more mischief by their
ridiculous folly and oflSciousness, than the artful
and designing, by their wicked Intrigues. It is
some consolation to me that you did not from y*
beginning give any credit to y^ base accusation
that has been brought against me; and tho' I have
reason to believe yet various insidious attempts
have been made to prejudice me in y* opinion of
MT Adams, I think he must know me too well,
ever to have entertained y^ least supicion of my
being the Author of y? Anonymous Letter. If
that Gentleman conceives me to be his Enemy,
he is mistaken; for if I was, I should not hesitate
to declare my opinion openly. I am not of a
temper, nor accustomed to fear or flatter either
Princes or Kings, whose conduct appears to me re-
prehensible; that occupation I leave to the servile
and narrow Geniuses who are born to be despicable
tools in the hands of intriguing, vicious characters.
The Accuser whoever he is seems to have satisfied
you yet he was not the Author of y? original letter;
but I do not find yet be has in any manner Vindi-
cated himself from having brought, or insinuated,
a most unjustifiable accusation against me; I must
however wait for MT Bridgen's answer, to obtain a
full eclaircissement of this mysterious intrigue.
Do not, my Dear Sir, say with Woolsey, that
<
912
**in your Age, your Country has left you naked to
your Enemies." For as to Enemies I do not
know or believe yet you have any. Envyers^ you
may have, for the Poet justly says, **Envy, will
merit as its Shade pursue, and like the Shadow,
prove the substance true," and I am convinced,
that your Country has placed you where you are
from a double motive: To obtain for itself y?
Benefit of your able and disinterested Services on
a most important occasion; and to do you Honor,
in the face of y^ World. I am extremely concerned
to hear that your health still continues so bad, but
if I am not mistaken in my peep into the political
World from my cave, y^ Active occupation has
now, or will very shortly commence, when full
employment may procure some relief to your mind
and consequently be of service to your health. It
would make me extremely happy if my health and
other circumstances should permit me to cross y*
Atlantic with you in y? Spring, but y? old Gentle-
man at Passy, confines me till April, before I can
possibly take any decided resolution about my
future movements.
P. S. The above was written and just going to
y^Post, when I received your favor of the 9th,
which made its course properly to the West, instead
of the South, in order that it should reach you
safely and it is lucky yet it was not sealed as I have
this moment (JanT 14.) received a letter from MT
913
Bridget! of the— (for it has no date), which is so
candid that it must be satisfactory to me, tho' I
can't help feeling a little, that any person who ever
knew y? least of me should ever conjecture that on
such an occasion, I could commit such an act
When I have time perhaps, I may send you a copy
of Mf.B's Letter. Give me leave now to express
my concern that your health should make it neces-
sary for you to go to Bath, as well as at y? public
appearances that ye Dreadful Demon of War is still
to be gluted, with carnage, murder and Devasta-
tion.
TO EDWARD BRIDGBN.
Bruxeixes, 17 January, 1783.
Last mail bro't me a letter from you without any
date, the contents of which are so honest and can-
did an acknowledgement of your error in charging
me with being the Author of a certain anonymous
Letter, that I shou'd put myself in the wrong, if I
was not to express my entire satisfaction on that
head. You have said what every Man of Honor
would say in a similar situation, and you have said
as much as any Gentleman could require.
I think it will be more consistent for your own
reputation, as well as mine, that you should your-
self communicate to MT Laurens, what you have
written to me, rather than that I should send him
a copy of your letter; which I shall decline doing,
914
in confidence that in this point you will coincide
with my opinion and act conformably. I hope to
obtain your belief, when I assure you that my only
motive for observing on the reasons you give for
supposing me to be the Author of the Letter, is to
prevent you on future occasions from forming false
conclusions from mistaken premises. You say as
reasons for your first conjecture. ** First, I knew
of no 3? person in Flanders who was informed of
my intimacy with MT Laurens; 2^*^, I knew that
its being sent without a Post Mark must be by
the connivance of a Postmaster, and that you were
acquainted with the Postmaster at Ostend; and
lastly, that there were strokes in that letter which
resembled your hand writing as well as your
former Clerk, MT Brown.'* Now I mean to show
you that every one of those positions which you
took for granted, are every one of them mistakes.
First, I know of a certainty that there were at that
time more than three Persons in Flanders, or at
least in the Low Countries, who knew of your in-
timacy with MT Laurens. 2^^^, the omission of the
Post Mark might happen without any connivance
with a Postmaster^ since in certain cases it is a
common routine of Ofiice: nor do I know the Post-
master at Ostend, nor have I ever seen him, nor
wrote to him in my Life, nor do I know his name,
and tho' the Letter came to you by the Flanders
Mail, it might as well have been sent from Paris,
915
Ghent, Spa or Antwerp, as from Bruxelles. Lastly,
how far the Characters may resemble my hand
writing or that of MT Browne, I can not tell; but
this is certain, that they cannot resemble both — for
I hardly know two persons whose hand writing are
more easily distinguished from each other than
those of MT B and mine. You do not mention the
name of your Friend with whom you originally
corresponded on the subject of the letter; but who-
ever he is, he seems to me to be little entitled to
the sacred appelation of Friend from you, and still
less so from me, for he certainly acted in a very
unjustifiable manner to us both in keeping a pro-
found silence, after he had artfully drawn from you
the name of the person you suspected, by an ex-
press and positive promise, that if you did mention
the name ^^ he wou^d tell you whether you both had
the same Idea of the Man ;^^ for by his silence he
evidently confirmed you in your Error, and con-
vey'd an insidious tho' indirect Slander against
me. These are my sentiments, and it will require
very convincing reasons and facts to make me alter
them.
TO SAMUEL THORPE.
Bruxbi«i«KS, 17 January, 1783.
* * * I observe that DT F. has given a Cer«
tificate in vindication of Silas Deane, relative to the
charge against him about the Magazine of Old
9i6
Firelocks. Was I in London, I would make the
following reply in the Public papers:
**A correspondent, who has read DT B. Franklin's
Certificate, published in the London Papers, in vindica-
tion of MT Silas Deane, from a charge bro't against
him, the said S. D., for a gross imposition on the Con-
gress of the United States of America, in the purchase
of a Magazine of old Iron and old useless musquets,
says, it puts him in mind of an Associate appearing at
the old Bailey, in support of the character and honesty
of his fellow Laborer in the same vocation, who stood
arraigned for a high Way Robbery ; for he has seen a
publication in America, wherein D! B. Franklin is
publicly charged with being as Deep in the Mud as
MT Silas Deane is in the Mire, about this same Maga-
zine of old Rusty Iron ; and to this public Charge DT
B. Franklin has never yet found it expedient to make
any reply."
W. Woodfall would probably be glad of such an
Article. The Doctor is however protected, for
Reasons obvious, by the Court of Versailles, and
until there is full Peace, he can't be bro't to the
punishment he has too deeply merited. But I have
more than one written proof even under his own
hand writing, that he carried his hand to a direct
falsehood. * * *
Your minister here, pro tempore^ from y* author-
ity of M*: Fitzherbert, has openly assured several
Gentlemen, that a General Peace is as good as
917
signed. I hope he is not mistaken, as I would not
willingly believe that Lfi S[helbur]ne would thus
palpably deceive y^ world ; for the present there-
fore, I have only to repeat my assurances y*. I am,
&c.
TO SAMUEL THORPE.
Bruxei^i^KS, 24 January, 1783.
Most joyfully and heartily do I congratulate you
on y? long wish'd for Peace being at last concluded.
'Tis indeed more than I once expected ever to see.
God grant it may be perpetual between Great Brit-
ain and America. I am too much pleased, or I
should certainly growl at your not dropping me a
line by your last Friday's Mail, which we received
here on Monday; for we are told that the Prelimi-
naries of Peace arrived at Versailles on Sunday
night, already sign'd by George the 3?, and were
sign'd by Ircwis the i6^^ at 7 o' Clock on Monday
morning. I have not asked about the terms, be-
cause I still adhere to my old position, which is as
easily proved as that 3 and 2 make 5 — that Peace
on any terms is for Great Britain infinitely prefer-
able to a continuation of the War. But should the
terms be in any respect not agreeable to the
National Palate, the Nation can only blame itself
for embarrassing the Minister, by so greedily and
stupidly swallowing the insidious and absurd Lan-
guage of Lord North, who, in his usual knavish
9i8
manner and with uncommon effrontery, dared to
assert in the House of Commons that you were now
in a situation to demand and obtain the most ad-
vantageous terms of peace. I will now have done
with Ministers. America is Free; Ireland is as
much so as she ought to be; and England is in a
better constitutional State than she was lo years
ago, and may be soon quite secure from Despotism,
if there is Virtue enough in the Nation, to finish
the great work of purifying the House of Com-
mons.
TO THOMAS BARCLAY.
Bruxellbs, 2 February, 1783.
I have received your esteemed favor of y* 20 Ult? ,
and promise myself great entertainment from the
American papers that you were so good as to send
me by Mess. Steward and MT Meyers, when they
arrive here, and I beg you to accept my thanks for
your kindness.
It is with infinite pleasure that I can with confi-
dence congratulate you on the near approach of a
general cessation of hostilities, which I hope and
trust will be of long Duration; at least with re-
spect to America. The Gazette here is entirely
under the direction of Government — your original
advertisement was given to the Censor of the
Gazette, and he chose to have it inserted in the
manner you saw it was; his reason for so doing I
919
cou'd not obtain, and by this time you will know,
that in such cases the only reason you can get is.
Car tel est mon plaisir. I can't yet learn, whether
it has been inserted in the other gazettes as I
ordered, nor have I seen it in those you mention'd,
tho' indeed the Courier de L' Europe is seldom seen
here. The publication may be of service, for it has
lately been reported here that some little time ago
a Person was at Leipsic, Frankfort, and other parts,
of Germany, endeavoring to obtain Money and*
goods as an American Agent. He pass'd by the-
name in some places of Montague, but the descrip-
tion of his person and manners resembled those of
M*: Penet. I have not heard that this person did'
obtain either money or goods, but such attempts
should always be prevented as far as it can be done
with propriety, for they really injure the credit of
America. Can you send me the act of Congress,
prohibiting the importation of British Manufactures
into America? Or can you tell me if this prohib-
ition will continue in force any longer than the
War continues? I took the liberty of inclosing in
my last a letter to my Brother, which I hope was
in time to go by the Washington Packet; and when
you favor me with another Letter, you will much
oblige me by mentioning what Vessels there may
be at your Port bound in the course of this and
next month, either to Philadelphia or Virginia.
920
TO SAMUEL THORPE.
Bruxbi«i«BS, II February, 1783.
* * * * Your Senatorial madness seems to
be rising higher than ever, for on all sides of y?
House, riot content with striving who shall be fore-
most in unnecessarily throwing all the Power, Dig-
nity, and Trade that G. B. has left into the lap of
Ireland, they are running full Tilt at the Naviga-
tion Act, which has been the Grand foundation of
all your Naval Glory. My clear opinion is, that
this Act should be now adher'd to more strictly
than ever, in all cases, except with respect to
America, whose Vessels and Citizens should be
legally esteem'd in G. B. just as they were before
the War. This Policy would Unite the two Coun-
tries in one common Interest, and might be done
by one single Act of Parliament I look on Mr
Alderman T[ownsen]d not only as a Senator, but
a friend of the Ministers; therefore if you think
proper and find a suitable occasion, you may com<-
municate to him this idea of mine as that of a pri-
vate individual, and should he think it worth at-
tention, and be desirous of my reasons at large for
such opinions, I will readily communicate them to
him.* * *
P. S. Pray who are now these mighty and Clam-
orous Quebec Merchants? When I left London
they were chiefly a parcel of insignificant Scotch
921
Adventurers, that knew no more of Geography or
the proper Limits of Canada than the Pump at
Aldgate. In short I have not seen in your papers
a single Objection to y* Peace, that has the Shadow
of Reason or plausibility in it.
TO SAMUEL W. STOCKTON.
Bruxbli«8S, io February, 1783.
My Dear Sir:
You ask what has become of me ? I answer that
for 18 months I was at Death's Door with a horrid
Rheumatism, y? foundation of which was layed in
that dreadful Journey we had together, when we
built the foundation of y? present Union of the
Twenty Provinces^ which our old Friend De Neuf-
ville so anxiously wish'd for. You will believe
easily, that it is with no small degree of pleasure I
congratulate you on the happy restoration of Peace,
on such terms too, as no true American will find
fault with; I trust however that your Joy on y*. oc-
casion will be tempered with a manly Prudence,
and that free from intemperate distraction and dis-
sipation, America will calmly set about y^ weighty
work of reforming the abuses and disorders, that
naturally flowed from a state of War, and the
License that such an astonishing Revolution nec-
essarily produced. Digesting a proper system for
liquidating y^. Public Debt: providing for y*. Army
922
that has so nobly Shed its blood for y^ general
cause; putting y^ Finances of every state on a
proper footing, will require infinite wisdom and
patriotism; but it is absolutely necessary that they
should be settled, that y^ future Peace and Pros-
perity of America may be fixed on a Durable Basis,
and I trust that they will be settled, before any more
public Money is thrown away on the most Ro-
mantic of all romantic Schemes, that of raising at
this time an American Navy.
Accept my congratulations on your Brother in
Law's filling y^ most exalted Post in America. I
have not y^ honor of his acquaintance, or I would
request of you to make my Comp^ to him on
y*l occasion; but when you see our old friend
D^ Williamson, please to present my Comp^ to
him, and when he has a leisure moment, I should
be glad to hear from him. You say that M\
D[eane*]s Credit is very low. It is to be hoped
that his great Patrons, who I perceive are still in
y^ highest Posts of Trust, Honor, and Profit, have
repented of y*: Injury they did their Country and
of their injustice to Individuals, by Patronizing
that Man in his wicked attempts: but if you see
the English papers you will perceive that D^. F — n
has very lately step'd forth as y^ Public Champion
and Advocate for M^ D. . 's Integrity. (ParNobili
Fratrum.) I wrote to you several times last year,
none of which it seems had reached you, as appears
by your last favor of Novl 30 per M^. Myers.
923
The cessation of War has created great Confusion
amongst the mercantile World in Europe, as their
crys resound from N., W., E. and South; and tho'
the Negotiations for Peace have been so long in
hand y^ general Idea was, that it would not take
place till y*. very moment of its conclusion, and
after all, we are greatly indebted to the Emperor
for it. A Historian that is well informed, may
give the World some curious Anecdotes respecting
y^ negotiation; but this you may be assured of,
that America is not indebted to y^ kindness or Good
zvtll of any other Power for the Peace. When we
meet, which I hope will be before this year ends, I
may explain myself more fully, but least any thing
should prevent my putting my intended plan into
Execution I hope you will continue to write to me
either by England, France, or Holland, directing
as before.
TO ARTHUR LEE.
Bruxellss, io February, 1783.
My dear Brother :
Tho' my congratulations on y^ happy restoration
of Peace will reach you late, they are not y^ less
sincere and heartfelt. The conditions you will of
course have from your Minister, and may also see
them in all y*: public papers. I gave you informa-
tion that this event would take place, as soon as I
could with any degree of certainty. I hope Amer-
924
ica will be temperately discreet in her expressions
of Joy on this occasion, especially as I can assure
you with confidence, that she is not indebted to the
Good will or kindness of any Power in Europe for
what she has obtained. The Parisians have already
broached the Idea that a Statute of L . . . XVI. is
to be erected in Phil*, with an inscription in which
he is to be called Liberator of y^ Americans — This
word I wholly object to, or any other that conveys
a false Idea, or that express ye least subserviency or
dependence. I hope the Peace between America
and Great Britain will be of long duration; indeed
I see no reason why it should not be perpetual,
which it may be if America is wise and keeps clear
from the baneful influence of foreign Intrigue.
This will go by M*? Izard; therefore I send you,
as you desired it, pretty authentic Proof that DT F.
did know where M^ W. L. was in March last; and
y^ enclosed London paper will show that I was
not mistaken in saying some time ago to you or
M*: Izard that I had reason to think, the old con-
nection between S. D. and his former associates
and correspondents was not broken oflF; but the
known apostacy of S. D. from the cause of his
country, and the universal indignation with which
he was looked upon in America, had made them a
little more cautious and circumspect than formerly
in their connection and correspondence with him.
We are told that your ministers in France, Spain«
925
and Holland, have each Started for y^ place of
M[iuiste]r in England. . Therefore, DT F. has twice
written of late for leave to resign his present ap-
pointment and has plannM to get W. T. F., his
grandson, in his present place. Since this, it is
said that Mess"? Adams and Jay have compounded,
and agreed as formerly to join interests, to get the
former appointed minister to England, and the lat-
ter to France. All this however I do not speak of
with certainty, as y^ Parties have with sedulous
attention conceal' d y* whole Intrigue from me, as
much as they could. I will endeavor to be with
you in y^ Course of next Summer, but you will not
look upon it as certain until I write again. There-
fore continue to write to me as before, and any
bills you may draw on me will be duly taken care
of, if you direct them to me at Mess*? Overman's,
in Bruxelles.
172 is gone to England — he has been a principal
here in a very dirty business which is fully known
to Izard who may possibly tell you of it when you
meet. 192 has devoted himself soul and Body to
Adams being flatter'd by him with the hopes that
by his influence he will be taken notice of by Con-
gress^ in some Shape or other. I do not yet hear
of any one who is talked of as in 51.
The Political System of Europe does not as yet
seem to be much affected by y*. Peace, but there
will be a great revolution in the Diplomatique
.&>
. :.:i::c:i the 05D. Mouthere* goes
^ . .:::.<cer 'till all the Treaties are rat-
r > :o be succeeded by y^ Duke
,. -.vijemar from this Court takes his
. -..liCue. Fitzherbert goes to Russia,
l'ij!s, and Mont Stewart to Spain.
. Surrey is at present talked of to go to
■>.:< however wmII depend on the State
ji \ ' House of Commons, where L,^
xta hitherto playing a double game be-
:Ibumites and Foxites, sometimes with
..V. sometimes with the other: but unless the
^ v^ .xcIls L"? Shelburne, he will keep his Post.
-fe . us :!me I suppose that M*! Dana has been pub-
^:^ •. txxiveii as American Minister at Petersburg,
^^i '. 'Kive been assured, tho' not Ministerially,
I.,. >> :he minister himself, that y^. Emperor would
X' '.ciN s^Kid to see an American Minister author-
iv^ :o cuter into a commercial Treaty between
■>iai .iiivJ y* United States, on terms of perfect
A|aa!i:y» and he added y. sooner the better, I
>lK>uId like to see M^ Rutledge at Vienna and M^
l2a:vl ut Paris, and our best friend, you know who,
.xhsHiM bo Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Paris. P.
O* lUUletin, D^ F. going to America to form a code
v>l' Laws, Congress owes the King of France 80
Millions, to be paid at 6 or 7 Millions per Annum.
* Moustier.
927
Writer in pay of D^ F. either directly or indirectly.
Treaty sign'd with Sweden. Adhemar to Eng-
land, Vauguyon to Spain, Fitzherbert to the
Hague, Torrington here.
TO RICHARD HENRY LEE.
Bruxbi«i<KS» II February, 1783.
My dear Brother:
The happy and long wished for Period of Peace
is at length arrived, on which Event I most cor-
dially congratulate you and our Country whose
Liberty you have had so great a share in securing.
Most sincerely do I pray that the ?eace may be a
lasting one, and I am sure it will be between G. B.
and America if the latter continues to act with Pru-
dence and manly sense, and care is taken to guard
against foreign intrigue and Insolent interference
in your Councils, whereby she may save herself
from being involved in any future European Broils;
for it is more than probable, that this Continent
will be in flames before seven years expire. Attend
to your Revenue and expenditure, and take care,
in Virginia especially of being again y*: Dupes of
every foreign adventurer who puts on a fine coat
Reform your Constitution, attend to your Seminar-
ies of Learning, and above all, let no Man What-
ever, without y^ State, presume to meddle or advise
about your Government in any Respect * * *
928
TO ARTHUR LEE.
Bruxbixbs, 24 February, 1783.
My dear Brother:
I wrote to you a few daies ago, to go by Mrs.
I[zar]d, who intends to embark for Philadelphia
from L' Orient the latter end of next month.
I intend to embark myself for Virginia the last
of April or early in May, leaving my family here;
but this you will not look upon as certain, because
many things may intervene to prevent me, tho' I
wish you on receipt of this write to Mr. Valentine
at G. S.* to expect and prepare for my coming in
the month of June, and in the meantime let no op-
portunity be missed of remitting any money to me,
directing as usual, or of shipping my tobacco to
London, Amsterdam or Ostend (@ two or three
pounds sterling per hhd freight, and consigned
p^. bill of loading to be delivered to me or my order
at the port where the vessel that brings it may ar-
rive. He should also pick up all the good goose
feathers that are to be sold in the neighborhood to
the amount of 4 or 500 lbs. If he can, at a reason-
able price, get 3 or 4 carriage or two good saddle
horses, he will do well. Write this to R. H. L.
and to Loudoun.
The 17th inst^ a motion was made in the House
of Lords for an address to y^ King on the prelimi-
nary articles of peace; an amendment was proposed
*Grceu Spring.
929
and debated 'till J^ after 4 o'clo. in the morning,
when on a division 55 and 4 proxies were for the
amendment, and 69 and 3 proxies were against it.
Majority in favor of the address only 13. Lord
Carlisle violent against America; Lord Germaine
also; Lord Gower against the Peace, but voted for
the address; Richmond and Keppel both spoke
against the peace; so did Wedderburne, and pledged
himself to the House to prove that the King had no
power or authority to declare America independ-
ent. The Lord Chancellor took up the challenge
and pledged himself to prove the King's legal and
constitutional right to do it. The same motion for
an address was made in the House of Commons the
same day by Tho: Pitt An amendment was pro-
posed by Lord G. Cavendish, seconded by Mr. St.
John, full of compliment to the King, but not one
word of approbation of the peace. This amend-
ment was debated 'till yi after 7 o'clo. in the morn-
ing of the i8th, when on division 224 were for the
amendment, and 208 against it, so that there was a
majority of 16 for the amendment, and against the
Minister and consequently against the peace. This
majority was obtained by the extraordinary union
of the Northites, Fox, Burke, all the Cavendishts
and Rockinghamites, a large share of the Bedfords,
and some of the dirty Scotch, and the intrigues of
the C* of V.,* who hate Lord S. as much for mak-
* Court of Versailles.
930
ing the peace with America as it stands, as for any-
thing else, and want to get Lord North and his
myrmidons again in place. Lord S.* was greatly
faulty in political wisdom in bringing the different
Peacifications with F. S. and A.f together into de-
liberation; for had the peace with America been
first decided on, Pox, Burke, Richmond, Keppel
and all the Rockinghams must have been with the
Minister, and the Northites, Bedfords, &c. would
have been with him on the peace with France and
Spain. As it is, I can't tell how things will be
settled, but I imagine the Corporation of London
will address on the peace, and others may follow.
If this is done Lord S. will keep his place. If it is
not, possibly Lord North and all the old troop will
come in again. I wish it may not appear that a
great deal of noise against the American peace has
arisen from the extreme folly of 172,+ to whom
Adams has made many improper communications;
for 172 hates Lord S. because Lord S. despises him,
and looks uix)n him as a silly, busy, meddling
blockhead. Whether we are to have a continental
war in Europe this year, I believe is not yet en-
tirely decided. The Emperor and Russia wish to
be upon the Turks, which France cannot permit,
nor ought England to enforce it, if she wishes to
save herself; but really that unhappy nation seems
* Shelbume. f France, Spun and Amcricm.
% I think 172 is Edmnnd Jcntngi^
931
to be as mad as ever. We hear that a treaty is
signed between America and Sweden, but of what
nature, or by whom it was signed on the part of
America, I do not hear. I can with authority as-
sure you that the Emperor is very desirous of en-
tering into a Commercial treaty with America, on
terms of equality and mutual advantage, Ijut that
Court never makes the first official advances of this
kind to any other power. You will soon have a
Dutch minister in America.
You have every good wish that we can send you.
Remember me to all friends, and believe me, afiec-
tionately yours . Adieu.
P. S. Any bills you may draw on me on account
of Mr. Lotsom, and directed as before desired, will
be duly honored whether I am here or not
TO JOHN ADAMS.
Bruxkixes, 9 March, 1783.
Dear Sir :
Having been lately on a Journey I could not
sooner thank you for your obliging favor of y^ 23d
Ult*? , which I found here on my return home. In
consequence of what you tell me, I shall refer the
Emperor's Agents to M^ Dana. At the same time
I perfectly coincide with your opinion, that we
ought not to be in a hurry, now we have Peace, to
enter into commercial Treaties. I see no reason
932
for changing y* opinion I long since entertained,
that while the War continued, America should
have had Ministers or Agents in all y? principal
Courts in Europe to endeavor to obtain an acknow-
ledgment of our Independence, which might have
greatly operated in prevailing on G. B. to make
Peace with us; but if that point could not be ob-
tained, she might be prevented from getting any
assistance either in men or Money to carry on
y5 War. When we have Peace we ought to be on
the reserve and let the Powers of Europe court us,
for they will certainly receive more benefit from a
Commerce with us, than we shall. Congress, how-
ever, has hitherto pursued a line of conduct di-
rectly opposite to my Ideas, possibly induced to do
so from Versailles or Passy, where it was wished to
confine everything that related to America; which
in my opinion was one great leading cause of the
War continuing so long as it has done; and I shall
not be surprised if a reverse of conduct takes place
now, when we see American Ministers and Treaties
as plenty as Blackberries. A wise Administration
will however first consider how y^ expence is to be
furnished; and whether y^ Benefits likely to accrue
to America from such Treaties will be equivalent
to the expence of making them, and of keeping
a Watch to see that they are maintained. At all
Events, I hope and Trust that no engagements
whatever will be entered into on y^ part of Amer-
933
ica, that can in any manner involve us in the dis-
putes that may arise in Europe. If MT Dana enters
into Negotiations with y^ Emperor, I suppose he
will be well informed of y*. nature of commerce in
this country, for in many respects a Treaty with
the Emperor to be beneficial to America, must
differ from that of France. We are told here that
Congress sent to DT Franklin a particular Commis-
sion to make a Treaty with Sweden at y*. express
desire of his Swedish Majesty. Is this true? I
have y^ Honor to be, &c.
TO WILLIAM PITT, CHANCELLOR OF THE
EXCHEQUER.
Bruxei^i^BS, I4t> March, 1783.
I observe in the London Newspapers, an Abstract
of a bill you have bro't into Parliament for y? Es-
tablishment, &c, of Trade and Commerce between
the Subjects of G. B. and those of the U. S. of
Am* ; wherein it is among other things recited,
that whilst y^ aforesaid Provinces were annex' d to
G. B. the inhabitants of the said Provinces enjoyed
all rightSy franchises^ &Cy of British SubjectSy &c —
And that it is highly expedient y^ intercourse be-
tween G. B. and y^ said states should be established
on y^ most enlarged principles of reciprocal benefit
to both Countries, &c, &c. Then it proceeds to
Enact that y^ Ships and vessels of y^ Subjects of
934
America, with the merchandise on board the same,
shall be admitted into all the Ports of G. B. in the
same manner as vessels of the Subjects of other
Independent States; but the Merchandise and goods
on board such vessels^ being of the produce of the
said States, shall be liable to the same duties only,
as y^ said Merchandizes would be subject to, if
they were the property of British Subjects, &c, &c,
&C. * Now Sir, if it is the serious wish of the Brit-
ish Governm^ to revive and consolidate the former
intercourse and friendship that subsisted between
the two Countries, it appears to me that this Bill is
ver}' inadequate to the purpose; since it does not
give America the same privileges in G. B. that she
enjoys by Treaty in France, Why are the Ameri-
can Ships put on a different footing from the Amer-
ican productions? You can as easily consider
American Ships on the same footing in y^ British
Ports, as those of British Subjects, as you can ex-
empt the American productions from the payment
of Alien^s Duties. The continuation of the former
bounties and Drawbacks are demonstrably for the
benefit of G. B. alone, and therefore cannot ever be
consider M as a Grace or Favor to America. In my
poor apprehension, in order to make the inhabi-
tants of both Countries feel themselves mutually
interested in the prosperity of their different Gov-
* Printed in full in Trade of Great Britain with the United
States, 1 791.
v.- to Enact in
cited States of
(.iijoy in G. B.
privileges, Fran-
uf the said States
iiled to when they
be British Subjects.
.!u that America, now
. the wounds that she
ii G. Britain, cannot be
Jilted feelings and AfFec-
u abounded Liberality on
> Stipulation expressed or
1 equivalent return. Leave
■ »f a generous People, the de-
nnieu, in which you cannot be
; since whatever regulations you
•c hereafter reformed if you do not
r your wishes; but surely it will be
lever is done, with the appearance
lie utmost Liberality on your part,
-..s if the whole was extorted from you.
..so that it will be much more acceptable
1 to make use in the Bill of the Word,
instead of Subjects^ of the United States
ica.
have here a few hints from an Individual
.oes not pretend to penetrate so far into polit-
ubjects as very many of his Countrymen, but
936
should they meet the concurrence of your superior,
inlightenM Judgment he will feel himself singu-
larly happy in having communicated them; and as
this goes by the first Mail from hence, since the
paper containing the abstract prepared came to
hand, he hopes it may not be too late to enlarge the
system that is the object of your Bill. I propose to
embark in the course of next Month for America,
And should be particularly pleased if I couM con-
scientiously assure the good People there that the
Government of G. B. was sincerely and generously
disposed to do every thing that can be as reasonably
expected or wish'd for, to bind the two Countries
forever together in an indissoluble Bond of Mutual
Interest. Your time I know is precious, and every
moment of it occupied in most important afiairs,
therefore I cannot expect an answer; but should
you think proper to Honor me with a line it will
readily come to hand by the common mail, if di-
rected to me here, or sent to Mess. Welch & Rogers,
Bankers in Cornhill, London, to forward.
TO JOHN ADAMS.
Bruxbi,i,es, 27 March, 1783.
Your obliging favor of the 15*?* ins*, did not reach
me 'till y*. 8^*^ day after its date, but it did not
appear to have been open'd, tho' the directions was
in a handwriting that I am not acquainted with.
937
I can readily subscribe to the truth of every
thing you have said in your Letter, and from my
own experience and to prevent DT Franklin from
repeating the same unwarrantable practice with the
Emperor (which from some expressions drop't I
have reason to think was in agitation) as with the
King of Spain, I have plainly informed the Govern-
ment here, that no person in Europe is authorized
by Congress to treat with the Emperor but MT
Dana, who is now at Petersburg; and was I in
Paris, I would make a point of giving the same ex-
plicit information to y^ Imperial Ambassador there.
I know it has always been the creed at Passy that
Congress ought not to presume to make any ap-
pointments for Europe, which DT F. was not at the
head of, or commanded to be done; upon this prin-
ciple I suppose it is that he has had the effrontery,
as I am told, to nominate MT W. T. Franklin to
Congress to be appointed American Minister at the
Court of Versailles, it having been settled between
the Dl and Count De Vergennes, that the D^ him-
self, as being the most trusty person, shou'd be
sent as American Minister to London. D*". F. I
see has the superlative Modesty^ by his Agent in
London, to style himself in the English Papers —
The Founder of the New American Empire; but I
have long look'd upon him to have been born to be
a scourge to America; therefore considering the
penetrating and sagacious Judgment of your partic-
938
ular Countrymen, it has surprised me to see him
blazon'd out in the Boston Papers, in nearly as ful-
some terms as in the Bulletins that are sent from
the General Post Office in Paris to most of y^
Gazettes in Europe. The contending Parties there
seem to place a great deal of their merit in the
share they enjoy in his good graces — (See the
writings about M^. Jn° Temple, &c). It would
give me most sincere pleasure, if our Country
would learn Wisdom from Experience; in that case
I shall think it fortunate that we have received such
Imperious and iniquitous treatment from a certain
quarter, as they ought to convince every American
that there is nothing due from us on the score of
Gratitude, which may prevent us from hereafter
being intrigued into schemes, that can only pro-
duce Injury and disgrace to us. A plot seems
already form'd to get General Washington to Paris,
which I trust Am^ will have wisdom enough to
prevent the execution of, for I can never forget
from what Source the King of Spain drew the Idea,
nor by whose assistance he carried into execution
the Nefarious plan of depriving his Country of its
Liberties which he had sworn to maintain, and im-
mediately afterwards impiously attempted tocloath
his Sacrilege with the cloak of Religion, by going
to Church, taking a prayerbook out of his pocket,
and singing psalms, thus making a mockery both
of God and Man. What a Pity it is, that the
939
Genius of Sweedeti did not at that moment produce
a Brutus or a Cassitis.
Please to give me a safe direction to MT Dana,
that I may write to him, tho' I am much employed
at present in preparing for my voyage to America,
which may take place in the course of next month,
and shall be happy to be the Bearer of your com-
mands. Pray tell me if you think British Manu-
factures will now be admitted, as I shall be almost
obliged to take some of them for my own private
use. Intelligence from London mention, that great
Intrigue and exertion was used from a certain
quarter, to prevent the bill for opening a commer-
ciai Intercourse between G. B. and the U. S. from
passing in the original form as introduced by
M^ Pitt, and they have pretty well succeeded; but
all this may be cured by a judicious Treaty. Have
you heard lately from my B^ , and do you know if
he is still in Congress? Who has succeeded MT
Livingston as Secretary?
TO ARTHUR LEE.
BruxBLLHS, 2 April, 1783.
My dear Brother:
I have not heard from or of you since the 6th of
Oct. last, nor from any one in Virginia for 11
months past. Mrs. I[zar]d has since Xmas re-
ceived several letters from her husband, in none of
which are you mentioned.
940
Knowing as you do the people in England, you
will not be surprized to see by the public papers
that in February the House of Commons by a ma-
jority of 17 voted that the peace with F., S. and the
U. S. of Am^ , was an inadequate and inglorious
one. This vote was carried by a Union of the
Rockinghams or Portlands with Lord North and
all the rankest Tories in England against Lord
Shelburne. The Nation, however, at large, ap-
proves of the peace, and addresses consequently to
the throne on the occasion are numerous; but this
union has so decided a majority in the House of
Commons that Lord S. has been obliged to resign,
and his friends go out also. But for 3 weeks past
there has been such a scuffle for the loaves and
fishes between the nefarious and ill combined
union, that they had not been able the 28th ult?
to agree about dividing the spoil, consequently
there was no ministry, which kept all public busi-
ness at a stand, particularly the peace with Holland,
a definitive one with F., S., and the U. S., and
settling a plan of commerce between G. B. and
America. The heavy clouds that have been for
some time hanging over Europe, are not yet en-
tirely gone; but at this moment everything stands
still, for all the world is occupied in gazing on the
madness of England. We are told that a certain
Cabinet has been combined with Dr. F. in a plot to
get him appointed by Congress American Minister,
941
and his double refined Progeny^ W. T. F. to be
American Minister at Versailles. I feel so much
indignation over this impudent attempt, that I can-
not suppose Congress will permit it to be mentioned
in their assembly. Another deep plot is also layed
to get to [blank]. This should by all means be de-
feated. My present intention is to embark for Vir-
ginia as soon as I can meet with an agreeable con-
veyance; but as this is yet uncertain, you may
continue to write to me as usual. We are all im-
patient to hear what you think of the peace in
America, and what you have been doing in conse-
quence of it The Emperor, I am told from high
authority, is very desirous of entering into a com-
mercial treaty with the U. S. Our love to all with
you. Every blessing attend you. Farewell (in
haste. )
TO SAMUEL THORPE.
Bruxbi^lbs, II Apfril, 1783.
* * * The ministerial arrangement seems to
please you, and as it is your affairs not mine, I have
no right to complain; therefore shall only say, the
like was never seen before. But to make the whole
complete Wedderburne must be Sole Chancellor;
and then you will have at the head of your Coun-
cils one young Scotsman who is esteem'd not three
degrees removM from Idiotism in all the Courts of
942
Europe, where he has resided, and he has nearly
made the Tour, tho' bursting with pride and impu-
dence; and the disposal of all the property in the
Kingdom in the hands of another young Scotsman,
who is too Notorious to need a Comment
Oh halcvon daies for the Norths and all these
blessings you owe to the Man of the People^ thrice,
thrice happy and virtuous Isle! On the whole.
Dear Sir, if this monstrous conjunction does any
good, or if it subsists twelve months, I shall be very
greatly disappointed. You have added to my other
obligations to you, by offering to answer for my
personal security with you, if I come over, which
you think it my interest to do; but as I never cou*d
make my feelings yield Bend to my Interest, and
am not fond of forcing myself into a Man's house
that I despise, and who of course must hate me, I
do not at present feel any great propensity to
trouble with my Company the Domains where N.
S., W., M., E., &c, &c, wield the Sceptre. That
this is the case with you now — a little time will
convince all the World that Mess. F., B. and their
party think, or pretend to think what they please.
Besides I am at this time really in a hospital, my
poor boy is yet in a vary precarious state, and
y^ Girls beginning to prepare for inoculation; so
that y^ real pleasure I should have in seeing you
must be defer' d for some time. I do not see now
any more likelyhood of a vessel from hence to em-
943
bark in for Virginia than when I saw you. If
y^ horses can't be sent at a reasonable freight di-
rectly to Virginia, they must be let alone. MT*
Lee is happy to hear that the ruffles pleased.
When y* Carriage is ship'd there must be a case for
y^ Body in w*;^ y^ Harness & other light articles
may be put & also in y^ Trunk.
TO JOHN ADAMS.
Bruxbli«BS, 24 April, 1783.
Above ten daies after its date I was honor'd with
your favor of the ioV*inst*, and indeed am appre-
hensive with you that America has lost the favor-
able moment for establishing a desirable commer-
cial connection with G. B. ; but this is not y^ only
nor the greatest mischief that has flowed upon us
from y^ same source.
You will by this time be able to judge of the dis-
positions of the new British Ministry and y^ Nego-
tiator; therefore it is needless for me to say any
thing with respect to them, especially as you are so
well acquainted with their Character; I will only
observe that self important Men are generally
pleased when they are allow' d to think that other
Men have as high an Idea of their Abilities and con-
sequence as they have themselves. It appears un-
necessary now to trouble M^ Dana with any obser-
vations on y^ subject of a Treaty with the Emperor,
914
as I aa UfA flat !tis y L kj G^\ has already x*amM
a Mnriscer to go to Coiigressw aod I b^kve that
some coQversatioc has been alrcadr cr vill be soon
beld with voa Gcstlemec at Firis on die Scfaject;
and as I conjecHxie that it vill be oommniucatcd to
C^ de X. voa mav easilv ima^se into what Chan-
ncl he will endeavor to turn the bosinessw Yon
can^t have a higher opinion of M^ Saml Adams
than I have, for he was long before I left Eng4 my
constant Toast as \*. American Aristides. As to
ly. F. I am convinced that with all his Art* he
wonid soon sink into total oblivion like his friend
SiL Deane if the expenditure of the Public money
was taken out of his hands, and his adversaries
were to cease talking of him, unless the>' mean to
bring him to Public Tr>'al for his enormous mis-
deeds. I know him too well to suppose for a mo*
ment that he would pay a Li\Te of his own money
to any little insignificant French Novelist for rank-
ing him with y^ Gods. I propose to embark for
Virg^ in three weeks from this time, but in order
to make my passage convenient I have been obliged
to purchase a Ship. Will you therefore be so good
as to inform me whether an American passport will
be necessary or useful, and if it is, can I request the
favor of you to send me a blank one? I couM wish
to know whether American Vessels will now be
*And wickedness stricken oat
945
admitted into the Havannah, or any other Spanish
port in the West Indies — Should the definitive
treaty of Peace, between G. B. and America be
sign'd before I go, you will greatly oblige me by a
communication of the Event, if there is no political
reason that forbids your doing so.
TO ARTHUR LEE.
OSTBNDB, 22 June, 1783.
My dear Brother :
I have been here with my son ten daies waiting
to embark in the Virginia, Cap*. Robertson, pT
James River in Virginia. We shall sail in two
daies certainly if the wind permits, but as we are to
call at Madeira this is sent by a vessel from this
port to Baltimore; and if she has a quick passage
this may reach you some time before we arrive.
Therefore wish you to write immediately to R. H.
L. to prepare to come down to Green Spring, with
his son Thom, to meet me, for I shall have great
occasion to see them and our brother Loudoun
immediately on my arrival. Therefore shall send
an express to them for that purpose the moment I
get on shore. Can I get 3 or 4 carriage horses in
Virginia, or are they to be got cheaper or better at
Philadelphia? If they are, can you purchase two
good ones for me, and contrive them to Green
Spring by the middle of September at farthest? If
946
you can, I shall be obliged to you for doing so, but
remember I cant afford to give above 30 or 35;^
Virginia currency a piece for stout, good, and
young carriage horses from 4 to 6 years old. In
In August last I sent you some important papers.
They were directed under cover to the President of
Congress, then by Mrs. Izard put up in a packet
with her own letters, directed to her husband, and
delivered into the hands of Gen'l DuPortail.
If you have not received these letters, may in-
quire of Mr. Izard and Genl Du P. about them.
English and French news you will have more
authentic and fresh from England and Prance than
this could carry to you. It seems pretty certain
that war is by this time commenced between Rus-
sia and the Turks. The Emperor will certainly
join Russia, and in this case many think that
Prance and even England will assist the Turks.
If so, the war will be general in Europe.
I have just received your favor of the 19th April
from Alexandria with its inclosures, for which I
greatly thank you.
Adieu till I see you. *
*Mr. Lee sailed from Ostende on the last day of June, and
arrived at Gxeen Spring, after a tedious passage, on September
25th.
947
ROBBRT MORRIS.*
Ml Rob*. Morris seems to be a most dangerous
man in Am? , from the particular attention that is
paid to every creature, dependent and connection
of his that appears in Europe, by Franklin and
Jn? Adams, two Men that are Rivals, in all the low
cunning and . . . tricks of Politicks — This con-
duct puts one in mind of the Theology of the
native Indians of N*; Am? , on the first discovery
of that Continent. They never worship'd an all
powerfull, good and gracious Divinity, but they
paid their adorations and erected Temples, to a
wick'd, malignant, Artfull, and malicious Being,
such as the Devil is painted to be by the Europeans;
because, they said, that a good being wou'd not,
nor couM he from his nature, do them any harm;
but it was necessary by adoration, sacrifices, &c, to
appease the malignant spirit of the wicked
Daemon.
In this principle of their conduct, no doubt
Mess*:* Franklin and Jn*J Adams have been directed
by observing that M^ Morris, long before the War
between Am? & G. Britain, tho' supported by the
large property and still larger credit of his partner
M'. Willing, had bro't the house of Willing, Morris
& C? to a State that is calPd Bankruptcy, in every
commercial Country in Europe; and when the
* Prom a Memorandum in Lee's Letter-book.
948
Am? War commenced, he had the address to get
the direction of the expenditure of the greatest part
of the paper money issued by Congress^ 'till at
length he bro't the United States of Am^ to a Pub-
lic Bankruptcy, while he at the same time amassed
an immense fortune for himself; and even after this,
when the Congress paper money was driven out of
Circulation for the want of payment, Ml Morris
had influence enough in Congress to get himself
appointed Financier General of the United States
of Am^ , when nothing but Gold and Silver were
allowed to be Current, by which manoeuvre M'.
Morris cou'd secure to himself the payment of the
immense quantity of the former Congress paper
money that he had collected while it was current
at locx) & I200 p*? under value,*
**' Robert Morris (since yon ask me my opinion of him) was
a frank, generous, and manly mortal. He rose from nothing
but a naked boy, by his industry, ingenuity, and fidelity, to
great business and credit as a merchant. At the beginning of
our revolution, his commerce was stagnated, and as he had
overtraded, he was much embarrassed. He took advantage of
the times, united with the Whigs, came into Congress, and
united his credit, supported by my loans in Holland, and re-
sources of the United States. By this means he supported hi»
credit for many years ; but at last grew extravagant, as aU con-
querors and extraordinary characters do, and died as he had
lived, as I believe, all his dajrs, worth very little solid capital."
John Adams to Benjamin Rush^ i6 February, 1809. Prof.
William G. Sumner is preparing a biography of Morris.
949
WILL OF WILLIAM LBE.
In the name of God, Amen. I, William Lee, of Vir-
ginia, late alderman of London, being of sound dispos-
ing sense and memory, do make, publish and declare
this instrument, or written paper, to be and contain my
last will and Testament, hereby revoking annulling and
rendering void, to all intents and purposes, all former
wills or testaments by me heretofore made. First, my
soul I commit to our Gracious God and Heavenly
father, stedfastly hoping, that through his infinite
mercy and the precious merits of our blessed redeemer
Jesus Christ, it will enter into eternal salvation.
Amen. Item. I desire that my body may be com-
mitted to the earth wherever I may chance to die,
without any pomp or parade, or any unnecessary ex-
pense whatever. Item. My will and desire is that my
executor hereinafter named, do pay as soon after my
decease as may be consistent with the good of my es-
tate, all my just debts ; that is to say all demands not
debarred by any act or acts of limitation, and which
shall be supported by indifferent testimony, and no
others. The various affairs in which I have been con-
cerned ; the variety of Countries in which my transac-
tions have been, and the circumstances of the late
Revolution, which have necessarily occasioned the loss
of many material papers and vouchers ; together with
the misfortune of loosing my eyesight, which has
caused my accounts to be more imperfect than they
otherwise would have been, render this precaution
950
absolutely necessary. Item. I give and devise and be-
queath to my dearly beloved Son, William Ludwell
Lee, and his heirs forever, all that estate real, per-
sonal and mixed, lying, being and situate in James
City county, James Town, and the City of Williams-
burg, which descended to his mother, my late dear
wife, Hannah Philippa Lee, as coheiress and legatee of
her late father, the Honorable Philip Ludwell, and as
coheiress to her late sister, Frances Ludwell,* with all
the Horses, Mares, colts, Mules, asses, Hom'd cattle,
sheep, Hogs, and stocks of every kind, and all the plan-
tation utensils, that may be on the said estate at the
time of my decease, and also all my Books, plate and
furniture, that may be in my house at Greenspring, or in
the hands of any other persons or person, at the time of
my decease, except such particular Books and pieces of
plate or furniture which I shall hereinafter bequeath
to either of my two dear daughters, Portia and Cor-
nelia.t Item. I give and bequeath unto my dear
daughter, Portia Lee, and her heirs forever, all that
tract or parcel of Land lying and being on the waters
of Bull run, and in the County of Prince William or
Loudoun, which I purchased of John Page Esq., of
Rosewell, in the County of Gloucester, containing by
estimation twelve hundred and fifty acres more or less,
which tract of land was conveyed to me and my heirs
♦Frances Ludwell died 14 September, 1768.
tPortia married William Hodgson, of White Haven, England,
and died at Alexandria, Va., 19 February, 1840. Cornelia mar-
ried John Hopkins, and died in 181 7 or 1818.
951
forever by the said John Page, by deed bearing date on
the twelfth day of October in the year one thousand
seven hundred and eighty seven, and by him acknow-
ledged in the General Court on the twenty sixth day
of the said October, in the said year, and then and
there ordered to be recorded ; together with all houses,
improvements, advantages, and hereditaments and ap-
purtenances to the said tract of land, in any wise be-
longing, when she shall arrive to the age of twenty one
years, or on her day of marriage ; provided she doth
not marry without the consent of a majority of her
Guardians herein after appointed, who shall act in that
capacity, to be obtained in writing, and not before she
shall arrive to the age of sixteen years. My will and
meaning is, that if she shall marry before she shall be
of the age of sixteen years, or after that, before she
shall be of the age of twenty-one years, without the
consent in writing previously obtained of a majority of
her guardians aforesaid, as aforesaid, in either of the
above cases the devise herein made of the land afore-
said, shall be void and of no effect ; but the said land
shall pass and go to my son, William Ludwell I^ee, and
his heirs forever. Item. I give and bequeath to my
said daughter, Portia Lee, twelve hundred and fifty
pounds sterling money of Great Britain, to be paid to
her at the age of twenty one years or on her day of
marriage, but upon the same condition and provision
which hath been herein before annexed to the devise
of the land herein before given to her. And in the
meantime my will and desire is, that the profits of the
952
land herein before devised to her and the interest of the
legacy of twelve hundred and fifty pounds sterling
aforesaid, shall be applied, from the time of my de-
cease, to her maintenance and education, or so much
thereof as my executors think proper, and the overplus,
if any there be, shall be paid as before mentioned with
regard to the said money legacy to my said daughter,
Portia Lee. Item. I give and bequeath unto my said
dear daughter, Portia Lee, a Mahogany desk and book-
case, which stands in my chamber, and was used
always by her late dear Mother, together with all the
printed and manuscript Books therein at the time of
my decease. Item. I give and bequeath to my dear
daughter, Cornelia Lee, two thousand pounds sterling
money of Great Britain to be paid to her when she
shall arrive to the age of twenty one years, or on the
day of her marriage, provided she doth not marry with-
out the consent of a majority of her Guardians herein
after appointed, who shall act in that capacity, to be
obtained in writing, and not before she shall arrive to
the age of sixteen years. For my will and meaning is,
that if she shall marry before she shall be of the age of
sixteen years, or, after that, before she shall be of the
age of twenty one years, without the consent in writing
previously obtained of a majority of her Guardians
aforesaid, as aforesaid, in either of the above cases the
bequest herein made to her shall be void and of no
effect, but the said legacy shall pass and go to my son,
William Ludwell Lee, forever, and in the mean time,
until the said legacy shall be payable to her, my Will
'^
953
and desire is, that the profits or interest of the said two
thousand pounds sterling from the time of my decease,
shall be applied to her maintenance and education, or
so much thereof as my Executors herein after men-
tioned, or a majority of them, shall think proper ; and
the overplus, if any there be, shall be paid as before
mentioned with regard to the legacy itself to my said
dear daughter, Cornelia Lee. Item. My will and de-
sire is that my property in the British Funds which is
placed there in the names of Thomas Rogers and
George Welch, Bankers in London, shall not be ap-
plied either to payment of debts due from me, or oi
any of the legacies herein bequeathed until after my
other personal Estate not herein before given shall have
been applied and found insufiScient. Item. I hereby
nominate, constitute and appoint, the Honorable John
Blair of the City of Williamsburg, Benjamin Harrison
Esq:, of Brandon, in Prince George County, and my
two dear Brothers, Francis Lightfoot Lee, and Arthur
Lee, Esq. to be executors of this my last Will and Tes-
tament, and g.iardians to my children; and I also ap<-
point my dear Sister Rebecca Lee,* of Menokin, guar-
dian to my two dear daughters, Portia and Cornelia Lee?
particularly desiring, that they may be under her sole
care and discretion respecting their education. Item. I
give to each of my above mentioned executors a mourn-
ing ring of five guineas value, as a testimony of my es-
teem, and in full of every claim that they might or may
*Rebecca [Tayloe] I^ee, wife of Francis Lightfoot I^ee.
954
have against my estate as being executors thereof ; and
my meaning is that my executors, or any of them, shall
not be discharged by virtue of this will or any clause
thereof, from the payment of any debt or debts that
they, or any of them, now owe, or at the time of my
decease, may be owing to me. Item. I give to my
dear sister, Rebecca Lee of Menokin, a mourning ring
of ten guineas value. Item. My Will and desire is,
that my son William Ludwell Lee may henceforth
omit the name of Lee and take and bear the name
of William Ludwell only, that the family name of
Ludwell, so ancient and honorable, both in England
and America, from which he is lineally descended, may
be revived. Item. It is my will and desire, and earn-
est request to my executors, that they take special care
that no woodland be cleared, and that no timber or
other trees be cut down on any part of my estate in
James City County, on any pretext whatsoever, except
for the necessary purposes of my said estate ; that is to
say for firewood to be used on my plantations, for the
necessary building and repairing of the houses, for
making and repairing the fences on my lands, for to-
bacco Hogsheads and tight casks for the use of my
plantations, and for wheelwright timber to be worked
by my own people, and for coal for my blacksmiths
shop. Item. I desire that my Executors may have
two women servants at least to be occupied in and
about my house, Greenspring, and a man and a boy to
work in the gardens, to take care of the fruit trees on
my several plantations and to take [care] of my stables.
955
Lastly I give, devise and bequeath to my Son, William
Ludwell Lee, and his heirs forever, all the rest and
residue of my Estate not herein before devised, whether
the same be real, personal or mixed.
In Witness whereof I have this twenty fourth day of
February, in the year one thousand seven hundred and
eighty nine, subscribed my name and fixed my seal.
W. Lbe. [seal.]
Signed, sealed, published and declared,
by the said William Lee in our pres-
ence, as his last Will and Testament ;
at whose request and in whose pres-
ence, and in the presence of each
other, we have hereunto subscribed
our names as witness thereto.
Annb Lbb.
Thbodorick Lbb.
Charlbs Lbb.
I, William Lee, of Greenspring, in the Parish and
county of James City, and Commonwealth of Virginia,
do make, publish and declare this writing to be a codi-
cil to my last Will and testament dated (I think) in
February, 1789, which is now in the possession of my
Brother Francis Lightfoot Lee Esq. of Menokin, in the
County of Richmond, and Commonwealth aforesaid :
Whereas in my said last Will and Testament I have
given and devised to my only son William Ludwell and
his heirs forever, all my lands both freeholds and leese
hold in the said County of James City, all my Houses
I
956
and lots in Williamsburg and James Town, which 1
hold in right of his late dear Mother Hannah Philippa,
oldest daughter and coheiress of the late Honorable
Philip Ludwell, also all my lands in Loudoun or
Prince William County, which I purchased of John
Page, Esq., of Rosewell, in the County of Gloucester,
also all my negro slaves, horses, hom*d cattle, sheep,
goats, hogs, asses, mules and stock of every kind, with
all my plantation utensils which may be on my said
lands ; and furthermore have made him, my said Son,
my residuary legatee, whereby he will be entitled to
and inherit all that Tract or parcel of Land adjoining
to Green Spring, being part of the Land commonly
called and known by the name of the Main or Gover-
nor's Land, which I have lately bargained for with the
Professors of William and Mary Colledge, and with the
approbation of the Visitors of said Colledge. Now I
do hereby declare and make known, that my intention
by the before mentioned legacies and devises was and
is to give and bequeath all the said before mentioned
lands, houses, lots, negro slaves, with their increase,
and all the other property therein mentioned to my
said son, William Ludwell, and his heirs forever, when
he shall arrive at the age of twenty-one years ; and in
the meantime so much of the produce or profits thereof
as my Executors shall think proper, shall be applied to
his Maintenance and education, and the remainder of
such profits or produce* if any there be, to go and de-
scend to him with the other real and personal Estate.
But if my said Son, William Ludwell, should depart
957
this life before she arrives at the age of twenty one
years, then and in that case, I give and bequeath to my
oldest daughter Portia, and her heirs forever, when she
shall arrive at the age of twenty one years, if she then
be unmarried, or at the age of eighteen years if she be
then married, or at any time thereafter when she shall
be married, before she arrives at the age of twenty one
years, provided always that she marries agreeably to
the restrictions pointed out in my said last Will and
Testament, all that tract or parcel of land lying and
being in the siaid Parish and County of James City,
commonly called and known by the name of Green
spring, whereon are the plantations called Green
Spring, Scotland, and Vemeys, and several tenements,
also all that tract or parcel of Land adjoining Green-
spring, being part or parcel of that tract of land com-
monly called and known by the name of the Main or
Governor's land, which I lately bargained for with the
professors of William and Mary Colledge and with the
approbation of the Visitors of the said Colledge, also all
my Lots in James Town, also half of my Negroe slaves,
respecting quantity and quality, in which half all the
tradesmen are to be included, together with one half
of all my Horses, hom*d Cattle, sheep. Hogs, and
stocks of every kind, and all the plantation uten&ils,
that may be on the said lands, and the produce and
profits of the said lands and personal estate from the
time of my decease or that of my said son William Lud-
well, whichever shall last happen, shall go and descend
to my said daughter Portia, together With the real and
:- ^ = T-
iriis jgic of
Mj^ ■:' ^i^nre*:! ^iaas. i" sat iszil be :iKa mi i irri . or
sc ur- TTTTf 'iie^esdc Trnne ssc szircs^ jr the jge of
iaiLL ls£t ITil miL r^ssxrasc lil
IT TsiT^^.-^ IT .TTTtr '.' - .jn^ imt jm^ *^ ibc szd cmuitv
n' J.iize* sllr- -i niinn wi^ ^nrn xad known by tfie
"Hirrrea^ if Ziirmrcr. ind 5i-F ^narrEE. jH
inii .ris a "iie ^r- 7i"iniianE£nur^ jnd. lil
-XI Ijuiiccn :r Prnxis IrHiam C juuTj. . vmcit I pup-
^jsei f J»'i2a ?airt Bsa. n GkmssscEr Canxxtr. and.
aiic rire r^snuinin^ jne 'laif if jH ay jc^u aavesy of
xil TH*- .n:r**. Sum i Jjcrftf. ihess. &g5.
^*f evTST' *^£:nu« ami ill :f2e gianacon Ubsals tftot
^ nx rx«* *tBxu^^ itzcsm msn oa bo-, tiie ^mzixce sad,
Tix'db^ *f rtt* sKiii ireii jzni jia^iiia i escice »iil tite tnoe
jf -nv it!c^nfi*«. JT rrar if ny jqh wuiiaat LadweiL
wl2:ca ;;^'T:^ >uu:I !u2^r ranpes. ^mil ^ rod ^eaegsatt Wm
31V Si a: Jau>^'.i%r C-'neiiu. ru^cuir wixh tfte real aHt
c^jr^ciKu* ,fs;u:x* *i«;»^'u '3ti!cn; i^Tei aa aer. Iiprri I
biir;:*:*^ -icmiiMCv aitu a^'ucinc Mr. Robet Andrews of
tliv C'r^ ,*i W'-iMinjiCiir? 5Ir W^^IIioin Wukinsoix Jul
>:f :;.!«: >Li;jt» >:xwuc!L*r^ ,Y riis codicil and of anr last
U":I1 ^:jii l\>iuim:ttC -cm civ wit!t tfxoae
959
tioned as my executors in my said last will and Testa-
ment. Item. I give to the said Robert Andrews and
William Wilkinson, Jun., to each of them, a mourning
ring of five guineas value as a mark of my esteem and
compensation for their trouble in acting as my Execu-
tors. Item. I desire that this codicil may be proved
and recorded in the same Court with my said last Will
and testament. Given under my hand at Green Spring,
this twenty first day of April, in the year of our Lord
one thousand seven hundred and ninety.
W. Lbe.
Sign'd, published and declared by Wil-
liam Lee, being of perfect sense and
memory, to be a codicil to his last
Will and Testament, and, at his re-
quest and in the presence of each
other, we have subscribed our names
hereto as witness.
John D. Wilkinson of the Main.
William Moody, York County.
RiCHD. Moor, Overseer at present
at Greenspring.
Know all men, that I William Lee of Greenspring
in James City County, and Commonwealth of Virginia,
being of sound disposing sense and memory, do make,
ordain, publish and declare this to be a codicil to my
last Will and Testament, to which I shall subscribe my
name at the bottom, this fourth day of February in the
year of our Lord Jesus Christ seventeen hundred and
ninety five. Whereas I did on the sixth day of Octo-
96o
ber last, at a public sale of the lands and other prop-
erty of John Warburton deceased, purchase of his
Ex'ors one tract of land in the Main, containing by a
late survey three hundred acres, whereon the late John
Harriss some time since lived and dyed, and one other
tract of land lying in the pine woods between the land
of William Wilkinson Jun. and John D. Wilkinson
containing between fifty and sixty acres more or less,
for which two tracts or parcels of land the said Execu-
tors of John Warburton deceased have made and
passed deeds of conveyance to me, which are recorded
in the County Court of James City. Now I do by this
codicil give and bequeath the said two above men-
tioned tracts or parcels of land with all their appurten-
ances to my son William Ludwell, and his heirs for-
ever, exactly in the same manner that I have given
to him my other lands in James City County, with this
further condition, that he is, in consideration of this
devise, to pay to my two daughters Portia and Corne-
lia, the sum of seven hundred pounds current money
to be equally divided between them, their respective
portions or moieties of the said seven hundred pounds
to be paid to each of them, when they shall arrive at
the age of twenty one years, or be married, which ever
event shall first take place. But in case my said son
William Ludwell should depart this life before he ar-
rives at the age of twenty one years, then I give and
bequeath the said two before mentioned tracts or par-
cels of land with all their appurtenances, to my daugh-
ter Portia Lee and her heirs forever, she or they in
961
consideration of this devise paying to my daughter
Cornelia Lee, the sum of five hundred pounds current
Money when she, the said Cornelia Lee, shall arrive
at the age of twenty one years or be married, which
ever event shall first take place. In Witness whereof
I have hereunto set and subscribed my name the day
and year above written. W. LBS.
Signed published and declared in our
presence by William Lee, of Green-
spring, in the County of James City,
to be a codicil to his last Will and
Testament, and at his request we
have hereunto subscribed our names
as Witness.
John D. Wii^kinson.
Leon'd Heni^by.
John Nbtti.es.
Virginia to Wit ;
At a General Court held at the Capitol, in the
City of Richmond, the nth day of June 1796.
A writing, bearing date the twenty-first day of April
1790, purporting to be a codicil to this will was proved
by the oaths of John D. Wilkinson and Richard Moor,
Witnesses thereto, who being further sworn deposed,
that they saw William Moody the other witness thereto,
who is now dead, subscribe his name to the same in the
presence and at the request of the Testator ; and an-
other writing, bearing date the fourth day of February
1795, also purporting to be a codicil to the said Will
was proved by the oaths of John D. Wilkinson, Leon-
ard Henley and John Nettles witnesses thereto, on the
962
seventeenth day of the same Month the said Will was
proved by the oaths of Ann Lee and Charles Lee wit-
nesses thereto, and together with the said Codicils or-
dered to be recorded ; and thereupon for reason appear-
ing to the Court, and because the Executors therein
named had not attended to qualify as such, On the
motion of William Ludwell Lee, who made oath, and
together with Charles Lee and Robert Gamble his se-
curity, entered into and acknowledged their Bond in
the penalty of eighteen thousand pounds conditioned
according to Law. he was appointed to collect and
preserve the goods and chattels of the Testator,
until the Executors in the said will and codicils
named should appear and qualify, until the further
order of the Court. And at a General Court held
at the Capitol aforesaid the thirteenth day of June
1797, John Blair, Benjamin Harrison, William Wilkin-
son, Robert Andrews, and Francis Lightfoot Lee, the
surviving Executors named in the said will and the
codicils thereto, having severally renounced the Ex-
ecutorship of the said will, on the motion of William
Ludwell Lee, Son of the Testator, who made oath and,
together with Theodorick Lee and Robert Gamble his
securities (who severally justified as to their respective
su£Bciency,) entered into and acknowledged their Bond
in the penalty of Thirty thousand pounds, conditioned
as the law directs, certificate was granted him for ob-
taining letters of Administration of the Estate of the
said Testator with his said Will annexed in due form.
A copy, Teste J. Brown, CI. Cur.
Teste. Peyton Drew c. g. c
"^
9^3
LORD CHATHAM TO WILUAM LEE.
Hayes, Sept 24, 1774.
I/)rd Chatham presents his compliments to High
Sheriff Lee, and desires to express many thanks to him
for the favor of his very obliging attention in communi-
cating the instructions from Philadelphia. A true
friend and affectionate well-wisher to America cannot
but lament extremely that zeal overheated by persecu-
tion has carried a suffering people much as I conceive
beyond the mark. To be restored to their Charters, and
give as they judge proper their own money were it
was thought the essential objects. Declining as they
now do to recognize the Supreme authority of the Par-
liament of Great Britain to bind America by laws of
trude & Navigation, must if persevered in disarm their
friends here, while it multiplies and strengthens their
enemies. Overstrained authority on this side has united
America in one common cause. Pretensions & Claims
pushed to excess on the part of the Americans may
dispose and unite England to resist even their most
just demands. The cause of America, which I have
sincerely at heart, will I fear lose ground apace on
this side of the Atlantic as soon as their unadvised in-
structions come to be more publicly known.
INDEXES.
INDEXES.
6 March 568
3 May, 1778 429
Committee on Foreign Affairs.
12 September, 177S
jj October 499
15 February, 1775
35 March 603
zS September 739
Deane, Silas.
II August. 1777. ... 315
17 December a88
16 March, 177S .... 399
Delap, S. and J. H.
— March, 1778 .... 578
Digues, Tboniaf^.
7 October, 1779, - . - 757
Dolman, William.
20 rNOvcmber, 1781 . , 895
Dnbourg. Barben.
17 August, 1776. . . . 180
Dumas, C. W. F.
10 September, 1776 . . i8j
21 March, 1777 .... 190
Ellis, — .
I4juue, 1778 459
Pauntleroy, Moore.
33 Deceniber, 1774. . . 100
Franklin, Benjamin.
35 February, 1778. . . 367
13 March 395
13 March 397
30 March, 1779 . . . . 61 1
a? June 695
7 October, 178a. ... 881
■ 12 November 888
I Griffeu, Thomas Bartrand.
I 23 December, 1774. ■ I02
llas.seiiclevpr, Peter.
I 2 October. 1779. . . - 755
Henry, Patrick.
3 September, 1777 , . 345
Hicks, William.
31 December, 1774 . . 105
37 January. 1775. . . .131
13 June 160
Izard, Ralph.
4 March, 1775 .... 138
14 August 16S
10 May, 1778 430
3 March, 1779 ... 535
iojmie 675
asJune 689
13 July 706
17 July 7"
31 .August 737
I Jefferson, Thomas.
28 September, 1779 . . 745
jjeuings, Edmund.
11 April, 177S 416
I 24 Juue 454
19 July 466
Kenner, Rodham.
: 15 May, 1775 155
■ Laurens, Henry.
; 24 December, 1783. . . 903
35 December 904
^
969
PAGB
3 January, 1783. . . . 907
14 January 910
Le Blanc.
19 April, 1779. . . • • 618
20 July 721
Lee, Arthur.
6 August, 1777 .... 204
12 August 212
14 August 216
21 August 227
30 August 230
5 September 247
23 April, 1778 418
30 April 425
10 June 444
20 June 445
24 June 448
27 June 460
16 July 4^2
30 July 4^
8 October 482
18 October 503
27 January, 1779. . • • 5i4
7 January 5^6
21 January 523
27 January 524
28 January 533
17 April 615
4 May 624
10 May 635
26 May 644
10 June 652
14 June, 1779 ^56
20 June 670
29 June 697
PAGi:
7 July. . . .
I4july. . . .
17 August . .
I September.
4 September .
12 September .
28 September
. . .699
... 709
... 724
. . • 731
• • 735
... 737
... 751
24 December 769
29 January, 1780. . . . 774
24 March 787
24 March 795
9 April 790
24 April 800
15 May 785
16 June 809
23 June 808
8 October 813
17 October 815
6 November 818
6 December ..... 826
10 December 833
19 July, 1782 864
30 August 875
25 October 883
26 October 885
20 November 889
17 December 899
10 February, 1783 . . . 923
24 February 928
2 April 939
22 June 945
Lee, Francis Lightfoot.
16 July, 1774 85
24 December loi
13 January, 1775. ... 109
25 February 115
1 March 137
II March 151
24 May. 158
11 November. 177? ■ ■ »^3
4 January, 1778. ... 325
38 February 374
23 March 402
26 March, 1779 - • ■ ■ 607
10 May 6a8
20 May 638
2 September 733
12 February, 1782. . . 85a
Lee, Henry,
7 June. 1779 648
Mjune 659
Lee. Richard.
gjanuary, 1775 ... in
9 l-Vhrii^iry . . ■ -124'
Lee, Kidi^ir.l Henry.
17 March, 1774 .... 81
10 September 87
I January, 1775. . . . 104
17 January m
20 January 114
10 February 123
3$ February 126
3 April 152
24 May. 157
13 July 16'
22 September 171
15 October, 1776 ... 184
I September, 1777 . . 239
18 September 249
7 October 254
24 November 271
30 November 279
ajanuary. 1778 ... 314
9 January . ■ • ■ 334
24 January 346
4 February 353
13 February 355
15 February 363
28 February 370
23 March 407
30 May 440
1 2 September 477
15 October, 1778 . - . 487
20 December 509
10 February, 1779. . .519
25 February 529
25 March 594
24 June 680
14 October 758
30 October 761
15 February, 1780. . . 776
13 April 796
26 April 803
3 December Ba»
10 February, 17S1. . . 843
13 .^pril 849
11 March, 1782 .... 855
aaju'ie 863
29 July 867
I October 877
1 October 879
23 November 892
II February, 17S3 . . . 927
Lee, Thoiuas,
13 March, 1779 . - .537
971
PAGE
Lidderdale, John.
2 January, 1775. . . .105
Limozin, Andrew.
21 March, 1778 . . . . 574
Lloyd, John.
25 February, 1778 . . . 365
7 March 392
21 March 401
Madison, Rev. James.
24 June, 1778 451
Marbois, Barb^.
16 May, 1779 ^36
Mason, George.
29 July, 1775 167
Morris, Robert
21 August, 1777 .... 223
Morris, Thomas.
4 January, 1778. . . . 330
8 January 331
Nenfville, Jean de.
27 August, 1778 .... 472
22 April, 1779 622
Nicholas, Robert Carter.
6 March, 1775 .... 139
24 September 175
9 August, 1777 .... 209
Page, John.
24 June, 1778 456
Partridge, J.
24 December, 1779. . . 77^
Petrie, Samuel.
4 May, 1779 627
PAOB
Pitt, William.
14 March, 1783 • • • • 933
President of Congress.
5 October, 1777. ... 255
22 January, 1778. . . . 345
28 February 384
23 March 411
30 May 439
8 March 54©
16 March 584
17 March 539
10 February, 1781 . . . 840
Robinson, Josiah.
14 June, 1779 662
Rogers, Thomas.
8 December, 1777. . . 284
18 December 300
Schulenberg, Baron.
16 January, 1778. . . . 343
6 March 390
28 December, 1780. . . 837
Schweighauser, J. D.
21 March, 1778 .... 575
Secret Committee.
I September, 1777 . . 231
Secretary of Foreign AflFairs.
31 March, 1782 . . . . 856
Shippen, William, Jr.
9 March, 1775 .... 146
24 June, 1779 689
Speaker House of Rep., Penna.
22 March, 1775 . . . .151
972
PAGE
Stewart, Anthony.
4 January, 1775. . . . 106
Stockton, Samuel W.
13 June, 1779 654
17 Jnne 667
20 June 672
24 June 690
27 June 693
8 July 701
21 March, 1780 .... 784
9 July 812
10 February, 1783. . .921
Tayloe, John.
ID February, 1775 . . .124
20 March 150
PAGE
Thomson, Charles.
24 November, 1777 . . 281
18 December 398
2 January, 1778. . . . 320
Thorpe, Samuel.
II April, 1778 413
14 October 483
I December, 1779. . . 767
18 June, 1782 859
27 August 872
17 January, 1783. ... 915
24 January 917
II April 941
Williams, Jonathan.
5 March, 1778 .... 387
GENERAL INDEX.
Abigail, the, 557.
Accounts, commissioners*, 275,
336.
public, 522, 694.
Adams, John, on futile mis-
sions, i'95 ; ap-
pointed commis-
sioner, 402 ; as com-
missioner, 434 ; con-
ceit of, 420, 445 ; on
Deane, 437 ; on
Deane's address,
517 ; ambitions, 808;
leaves for America,
594; recall of ap-
pointment, 717 ; ar-
rives in France, 776 ;
letter to Lee, 782 ;
his powers, 788, 794 ;
at Amsterdam, 816 ;
treaty with Holland,
880; anonymous
charges against Lee,
908 ; on Robert Mor-
ris, 948 ; mentioned,
419, 425, 426, 430,
463, 925-
John Quincy, 97.
Samuel, 599, 944,
Agents of Congress, 186, 193,
236.
Alliance^ the, 762, 800.
Alliance, a quintuple, 787.
Almon, 676.
America, and Great Britain, 81,
88; question in England,
185; intelligence from, 181,
220, 248. 433. 497, 647, 655,
689, 730 ; not indebted to any
power for independence, 923,
924 ; taxes in, 458.
Amherst, Lord, 89, 168.
Appointment of ministers, 926.
Arbuthnot, 643, 669.
Aristocracy in Virginia, i.
Arms, quality of 189, 210, 695.
prices of, 498.
Arnold, Benedict, reported de-
feat by Burgoyne, 266 ; trea-
son, 830, 837 ; in favor at
court, 868.
Artope, 621.
Associations in England, 792,
797.
Austin, 287.
Austria, war with Prussia, 428,
439i 603 ; and America, 857.
(973)
974
Babson, Captain James, 228,
267.388.
Baker, William, 26, 112.
Bancroft, Doctor Edward, rela-
tions with Deane,
49, 50 ; mentioned,
2b6, 409, 422, 618,
817.
Mrs., 189.
Barclay, David, 22, 113.
Thomas, agent of Vir-
ginia, 9cii, 91a
Bamett, Captain, 726, 735.
Barr^, 869.
Bathman fr^res, 429.
Bavarian succession, 379, 385,
439. 441. 453, 458. 4^, 47©,
502,510-
Bayonne, free port, 363.
Beaumarchais, relations with
Deane, 47, 48, 226; ship-
ments to Virginia, 504, 770;
demand upon Congress, 382,
610; intercepted letter, 615;
mentioned, 324, 3S2, 421, 610,
626, 631.
Berkeley, Sir William, 2, 4.
Berkenhout, Dr., 616.
Berkley, Sarah, 75.
Berthault, 388.
Billingsport, 288.
Blackburn, John, 130.
Blake, Daniel, 581.
William, 253, 270, 365,
372.
Bollan, 170.
Bondfield, John, 366, 392, 393,
408, 418, 435. 437, 569, 576.
Bouvooloir, 46.
Boston port bill. 24, 82, 94, 1 14.
Brailsford, Samuel, 874.
Braxton, Carter, 536, 596, 651,
734-
Breteuil, Baron, 448, 464, 531.
Bribery, ministerial, 149, 378,
496 {sitt Johnstone),
Bridgen, Edward, 24, 214;
anonymous letter, 905, 912,
913.
Broglio, Marshal, 453.
Bromfield, Thomas, 29. 97, 13a
Brown (of So. Ca.), 372. 374.
Browne, Edward, Lee's partner,
105, 285 ; suggested as con-
sul, 349,. 363. 49'-
Brofvning, Oscar, 213.
Brunt, the, 572, 374.
Brunswick, Duke of, 782.
Bull, Frederick, 17, 18.
Bunker Hill, 168.
Burgoyne, General, 191, 266,
287, 321, 391, 423. 457, 471.
Burke, Edmund, 85, 88, 112,
120, 169.
Bute, Lord, 439, 457, 609.
Butler, Col. John, 486.
By land, Admiral, 788.
Campbell, Frederick, 148, 535.
Capes, E., 285.
Carleton, Sir Gny, 89, 191, 376.
Carmichael, William, secretary
^
975
to Deane, 50; Lee's suspic-
ions of, 58, 60 ; qnarrel with
Lee, 205, 207, 215 ; Lee*s
warnings against, 217, 265,
338, 351, 405 ; intrigues of,
326, 334, 355» 403, 409, 420,
495, 513. 579> 609 ; stolen de-
spatches, 425, 426 ; secretary
to Jay, 700, 708, 786, 791 ;
statement to Congress, 716,
793; mentioned, 522, 653,
724, 734.
Cartel for sailors, 239.
Carter, Col. Charles, 73, 96.
Catholics, 89, 92, 164, 323.
Champion, Richard, 99, 112.
Chatham, Lord, 6, 93, 115, 134;
letter from, 963.
Chaumont, Le Ray, 269, 422,
697, 851.
Choiseul, Duke de, 431.
Ciphers, 283, 417, 666.
Citizens, not subjects, 935.
Clarkson, Mat., 524.
Clinton, Sir Henry, 375, 376,
536, 703, 707, 709, 813, 815,
830 ; spurious letter, 809.
Clonard, Count, 866, 883.
Colden, Governor, 128.
Collier, Sir George, 700, 757.
Colston, Raleigh, 424.
Commerce, American, 515, 619,
623, 933-
Commissioners, American, in-
troduced at French court,
402, 403, 411.
Commissioners, Britistr, to
America, 468, 496, 506, 513,
521.
Common Council of London on
New York Petition, 31.
Comyn, favored as consul, 464,
471.
Conciliation, North's^ bill of,
377, 385, 433, 451.
Congress, Continentaf, r eported
action, 167 ; petition, 169 ;
rumored dissensions in, 177,
701, 713 ; on recall, 715, 725.
Consuls in French potts, 363,
427.
Continental money, 401, 8)33
(see Paper Money),
Contracts with foreigners, 209.
Conway's motion, 855.
Conyugham, Gnstavus, 223,
671.
Comwallis, Lord, 375, 8301
Coventry committee, 23.
Cutler, Samuel, 671, 672, 677.
D'Acosta, 423, 464, 6r4, 695;
Dana, Francis, 849, 933, 937,
943.
Darby's fleet, to be intercepted,
842.
Dartmouth, Earl of, 25, 88.
Deane, Silas, appointed agent
in France, 46; his connec-
tions there, 49, 50, 51 ; Lee^tf
antagonism, 59, 264, 273, 277,
280, 288 ; charge of 6ath
s
976
honesty, 60, 493, 596, 694,
•915, 922; Adams on, 437;
presents Declaration of Inde-
pendence, 187 ; appointed
minister, 193 ; appointment
of Williams, 197, 397, 399,
544, 572 ; of Ross, 407 ; rela-
tions with Thomas Morris,
213, 256, 259, 301, 367 ; on
Lee's allowance, 235 ; in-
trigues of, 334, 419, 495. 609,
688 ; against Sch weigh auser,
358 ; on I2tli article of treaty,
360 ; card, 387 ; on agents,
392 ; stolen despatches, 425,
478 ; recall, 402, 430 ; ru-
mored appointment, 513, 61 1 ;
statement to Congress, 366,
516, 522, 523, 541, 642, 654,
660, 669, 680; and W. Lee,
549, 584, 682 ; intercepted
letters, 615, 836; before Con-
gress, 713, 717 ; at Passy, 817,
825 ; a British agent, 835, 924;
mentioned, 206, 421, 422, 426,
434, 445. 629, 651, 671, 673,
675, 701, 702, 709. 711-
Deane, Simeon, 333, 337, 370,
375, 384, 421, 463, 469, 478,
601.
De Berdt & Co., 11, 865, 875,
886.
Debts, sterling, 649, 660.
Declaration of Independence,
182, 183, 187, 195.
Delancy, 128.
Delap, S. & J. H., 324, 392,
408, 418, 569, 577, 578-
Delicpore, 365.
Denmark, 533.
Despatches, the stolen, 421,
425. 440, 463, 558, 60 r, 676.
D'Estaing, 428, 469, 497, 535.
I "Detector," 660, 694.
Deux Fonts, Duke, 441.
Dickinson, John, 169, 753, 784.
Digges, Thomas, 339, 670, 724,
757, 809.
Digname, 232.
Dissensions among American
commissioners, 606.
Dobre^, 208, 248, 531, 579.
Dohrmau, 731.
Dolman's English property,
895.
Donop, Count, 288.
Dorsius, 235.
Draper, William, 89.
Drayton, W. H., 718, 734.
Duane, James, 716.
Dubourg, Barbeu, 47, 48, 49.
Du Condray, 50.
Dumas, C. W. F., 500, 504, 672,
700, 791, 801, 811, 925.
Dunkirk, a free port, 363.
Dun more. Lord, reported dead,
109; letter to Lord Dart-
mouth, 127, 140, 149; con-
vention on, 156; taking the
powder, 162 ; proposes a reg-
iment, 355; forging paper
money, 401.
977
Eden, William, 421.
Education in America, 452,
863, 879.
Elliot, Hugh, 213.
Ellis, 243, 361, 489.
Embden as a port, 322.
Esdaile, 16.
Europe, positiou of, 166, 278,
404, 430, 455, 469, 520, 603.
611, 623, 634, 641, 646, 687,
712, 728, 734, 740, 759, 769,
780, 786, 787, 798, 802, 805,
817, 838, 847, 870, 891, 893,
925-
Farmers' General, 217, 226.
Faucitt, General, 282, 527, 813.
Fauntleroy, Moore, 243, 489.
Fisheries, American, 404, 410,
467, 469.
Fitzhugh, 467.
Flood, Doctor, 69.
Folger, John, 421, 422, 425, 441,
667.
Ford, Hezekiah, 625, 706.
Fordyce, a bankrupt, 684.
Fox's motion, 361.
Fox, George, 889.
Foy, Captain, 143.
France, aids to America, 48,
263, 270 ; officers from, 181 ;
policy, 249, 279, 327 ; treaty
with America, 354, 357, 411,
584, 592; free ports, 363;
ready for war, 383 ; change
of ministry, 821, 828.
Franklin, Benjamin, Letters in
favor of Deane, 47, 49 ; comes
to France, 50 ; draft of reply
to I/ee, 53 ; and Williams,
55, 397, 568, 571 ; Lee's an-
tagonism, 61, 207, 400, 727;
letter of, 98 ; Thomas Morris,
305, 561 ; recommends Car-
michael, 335 ; proposition ot
reconciliation, 132 ; of peace,
734; on 1 2th Article of Treaty,
360; on reconciliation, 376,
378 ; opinion of Digges, 340 ;
on agents, 390, 392, 395, 401,
408 ; conversation with the
French king, 416; intrigues
of. 419, 420, 427, 445, 504,
944 ; the stolen despatches,
425 ; relations with Adams,
437 ; on plurality of minis-
ters, 437; dictator, 49 ^ 734;
•* doctor," 505 ; sole minister,
524, 535. 593. 655, 660; op-
posed to Dutch treaty, 531 ; on
Deane and his charges, 534,
915, 922; the Teschen con-
gress, 536, 604 ; on Schweig-
hauser's commissions, 571 ;
on Lee's salary, 598, 876, 882,
886, 888, 889, 924 ; loans, 653 ;
Say re, 657 ; before Congress,
717 ; on the Lees, 795 ; ap-
pointment of grandson, 937,
940 ; mentioned, 256, 426, 431,
434, 464, 465, 469, 545, 640,
711, 79i»8i2, 902.
978
Fmnklia, William Temple,
6i8, 925, 937, 941.
Gage, General, 89, 99, 156, 161,
164, j68.
Garth, 17a
Gates, General Horatio, 591.
George III., bis obstinacy, 83,
166, 354, 383, 609, 693 ; on
territorial cession, 405 ; rage
for revenge, 366 ; on peti-
tions, 2^, 30, 38.
Georgia, 171, 444.
Gerard, and Morrises papers,
353; and treaty, 359, 428,
600, 629.
Germaine, Lord George, 287,
375» 376, 690.
Germany, war in, 379, 385, 403;
mercenary troops from, 443,
511, 520, 526, 536, 603 ; policy
of, 461, 520, 526, 532, 642.
Gerry, Elbridge, 716.
Gilby, 477.
Gillon, Commodore, 653.
Girt, Launcelot, 130.
G. G., 205, 215.
Glasgow, petition of merchants,
148, 174.
Gordon nots, 806.
Gourlade, 290.
Grand, 368, 419, 464, 469.
Great Britain, relations with
America, 413, 466, 484, 511,
637 ; invasion by France, 453;
declares war upon the Dutch,
800, 802 ; associations in, 793^
797 ; riots, 806 ; trade with
America after the peace, 919,
920, 933» 939» 943-
Green, CapUin, 372, 374.
Green Spring, 363, 459, 488,
854, 863, 928, 946.
Greuville, 93, 871.
Griffin, Cyrns, 753.
Gruel, 57, 58, 208, 224, 228, 234,
240. 301, 356, 423.
Grymes, Charles, 648.
Lucy, 648.
Hake, 189.
Hardy, Admiral, 738.
Harmony in public councils,
634.
Harrison, Benjamin, 51, 176,
351.
Hartley, David, 219.
Hassenclever, Peter, 653.
Hayley, Alderman, 22, 23.
Henry, Patrick, 162.
Hessians, 190, 282, 298, 321, 323.
Hinman, Elisha, 332.
Hipkins, John, 159.
Hodge, William, imprisonmetit
of, 222, 231, 268, 280, 328, 334,
564.
Hodgson, William, 63.
Holker, 352, 421, 515, 671.
Holland, proclamation, 153 ;
Lee's treaty with, 472, 475,
478, 480, 487, 499. 509. 525.
531 ; goods in, 427 ; policy,
714, 781 ; Adams's treaty,88a
979
Hopkins, Benjamin, 41. Jackson, 724.
John, 63. Janson, S. T., 155.
"Hops," 286, 342. Jay, Sir James, 494.
Hortalez, 48. Jay, John, charged with loy-
Howe, Lord, 132, 190, 191, 271, alty, 51, 127; appointed to
288, 344, 375, 376, 39h 497- Spain, 786, 791, 824, 828, 847 ;
Hunt, 130. on Clinton's letter, 811 ; in-
Hutchinson, Governor Thomas, triguing for position, 925.
120. Jenings, Edmund, suggested
Hynson, Captain Joseph, 421, for Madrid, 195 ; on Car-
422, 425, 447. michael, 205 ; on Molleson's
failure, 369 ; suspected, 617 ;
Independence. Afnerican, 211, *>° divulging treaty. 645, 685 :
354 357 403 mentioned, 465. 658, 671, 808 ;
Indians, employment of and 925 (see note on page 930).
barbarities, 486, 642, 707. Je°«»e. 557-
Jett, Lister. 213.
Instructions to Lee, 193. jobbery in American .£Fair»,
Insurance, 342. .^„
347*
Intelligence from America, 711, j^^^ ^^e Painter, 543-
726, 757, 8q5. 837. jQijngon, Joshua, 29, 97, 420.
from England n^^t^^i^ t«^ t^^ ^*t
^ Captam, 197, 199, 231,
wanted, 663. ^^
Interest on continental loans, Johnstone, George, 439, 457,
777- 496, 510, 600, 610, 680, 708,
Ireland, 643, 668, 789, 792, 819. 803.
Izard, Ralph, appointment to Jones, John Paul, 437, 636, 702,
Naples, 194, 252 ; on Morris 7o6, 763, 812, 817.
incident, 256; payment of ^endrick, CapUin. 221. 228
allowance, 314, 362, 844 ; on ^^^ ^gg
I2th article of treaty, 359; Keppi^l. Admiral, 512, 535-
resigns, 599 ; on negotiations ^^ j^^^ ^^^^ ^^^
with Germany, 678 ;remov^ Kirkman, John, 13, 23.
from office, 718; mentioned, Knyphausen, General, 470.
58, 59, 392, 404, 420, 436, 516,
522, 524. Landais, 815.
980
Landlazuge, 388,
Lane, Tliomas, 21.
Langdon, John, 51.
Laureguais, 48.
Laurens, Henry, reported duel,
669; his capture, 813, 816,
818, 825, 827; commissioner
to negotiate peace, 893 ; and
anonymous letter, 903, 904,
906, 907, 910 ; mention, 271,
522, 812.
Lee, Arthur, connection with
Wilkes, 9 ; speech in favor
of Sayre, 13 ; intelligence for
Congress, 43, 48, 51 ; prevents
recall of Morris or Williams,
56; hatred of Deane and
Franklin, 58, 338 ; favors
Shelburiie, 94 ; pamphlet,
152 ; appointed to Spain, 194,
791 ; on Carmichael, 206 ;
described by the Ledger ^ 208 ;
papers stolen at Berlin, 213 ;
on Schweighauser, 239 ; Mor-
ris's papers, 353 ; the treaty,
359. 360; on Lloyd, 373;
financial matter, 419; Deane's
attack, 517, 524, 534; re-
called, 535, 715, 717 ; resigns,
599 ; on Williams's accounts,
631, 696; on Prussian nego-
tiations, 678; snuflfbox, 774;
mutiny on Alliance^ 800;
mentioned, A'S) 87, 170, 182,
434, 436.
Lee, Brutus, 63, 611, 651.
Lee, Cassius F., Jr., 65.
Cornelia. 63.
Francis Lightfoot, 74, 75,
671, 675.
Henry, 648, 651.
Ludwell, 241, 362, 490, 625.
Philip, 652.
Philip Ludwell, 364, 877.
Portia, 63, 651.
Richard, the immigrant, 2.
of Westmore-
land, 4.
Richard Henry, 383, 434,
495, 517, 523, 638, 645,
654, 680. 716, 735; re-
ply to Deane, 517.
Thomas, 4.
Thomas, 241, 320, 349, 358,
362, 363, 374, 491, 732,
753, 761.
William, birth, 6 ; goes to
England, 6; commcr^
cial aims, 10 ; marriage,
10; trade letter, 11;
elected sheriff, 14, 17 ;
addresses to Livery, 19,
77 ; candidate for Alder-
man, 20 ; merchants'
petition, 22, 24, 123, 124;
presents petition to the
King, 26 ; elected Alder-
man, 26, 157, 158; in-
tercepted letters, 44; ap-
pointed Commerc i a 1
agent at Nantes, 45,
52, 542, 585; receives
98 1
diplomatic app o i n t -
ment, 59, 558; instruc-
tions, 193 ; relations
with Thomas Morris,
201, 204, 212, 228, 255;
comments on appoint-
ment, 198 ; the German
mission, 196, 244, 251,
254, 264, 282, 321, 341,
343, 345, 380, 385, 390,
409, 412, 423, 429, 438,
447, 474, 499, 621, 678,
704, 741 ; errors in the
commission, 272, 283,
345, 350; Morris's
papers, 355, 365, 367,
370, 384, 408; allowance,
272, 314, 350, 362, 432,
538, 597, 608, 844, 849,
853, 864, 876, 882, 886.
888, 924; speculations,
244, 368, 706; on North's
concilation, 378, 391 ;
on tobacco con tract, 382,
545 ; Beaumarchais, 382;
appointments, 353, 393,
401.408, 569 ; prizes,399;
treaty with Holland, 472,
475, 478, 519, 525, 673,
677 ; retaining the Al-
dermanship, 507, 583,
591, 677, 767. 772; on
Teschen Congress, 514,
536; Deane's charges,
517, 521. 530, 642, 661 ;
reply, 539, 595, 605, 707;
applies for draft of
treaty, 562 ; sacrifices,
233, 494, 597. 639, 650,
701, 863 ; on Petrie*8
charge, 627, 644, 683;
on tender laws, 648, 699;
reply to Cutler, 674 ; re-
call of commission, 63,
715, 725, 753, 758; fix-
ing his residence, 731,
751; the Virginia
agency, 737, 762, 778;
mercantile matters, 797;
executes a will, 872 ;
his father's estate, 877 ;
anonymous letter, 903-
915 ; to return to Amer-
ica, 928, 944, 945; on
Pitt's trade bill, 934,
946; will, 949; death,
63 ; character, 64.
William Ludwell, 63, 651.
Lees, the English, 2.
Lemaire, 443, 446, 461, 613, 696.
Lewis, Francis, 275.
John, 454.
Lexington, battle of, 160, 161.
Limozin, Andrew, 279, 392, 408,
425, 569, 574.
Lincoln, General, 706.
Littleton, Lord, 120.
William Henry, 383,
384.
Livery of London, 12, 15, 25.
Lloyd, Col., 265.
John, recommended for
982
consul, ^i, 275, 348,
354, 365. 373, 392, 398,
569 ; and Morris's pa-
pers, 365, 372; men-
tioned, 388^ 410, 420,
522, 580.
Loan in Europe, 275.
JU>an office, continental, 602,
607,777.
I^ondon livery, 12, 15, 25 ; for-
eigners in office, 27 ; corpo-
ration, 152, 163 ; election, 483 ;
aldermen of, 507 ; consis-
tency, 710.
I^ong Island, battle of, 189.
L'Orient, a free port, 363.
Lott, 128.
Lovell, James, 434, 721.
Luzerne, 629, 686.
Madison, James, 451, 460.
Mansfield, Lord, 414, 439, 457.
Marbois, Barb^, 636.
Marseilles, a free port, 363.
Marylanders, warnings against,
814, 832.
Mathews, 699, 710.
McCreery, William, 418, 434,
438.
McEvers, 128.
Mercenaries, German, 179, 282,
298, 316, 321, 323.
Merchants, hollowness of peti-
tion, 28, 29, 90, 95, 106, no,
131, 148, 154, 162.
Merckl^, 435.
Meredith, Sir William, 23, 690.
Millar, 676.
Ministry, British, policy, 103,
112, 114, 129, 133, 141, 166,
168, 171, 185, 413, 439, 454,
456 ; in want of troops, 385,
520 ; change in, 856, 867.
Minority in Parliament, 360.
Molasses duty, 358.
MoUeson, 24, 74, 108, 368, 377.
Molesworth, Captain, 515.
Monroe, James, 892.
Montaudoin, 47, 289.
Montbarey, 613.
Monthieu, 544.
Morris, Gouvemeur, 716.
Robert, on his brother's
conduct, 255, 258,
300 ; his distressed
condition at begin-
niug of the war, 596,
947 ; a supposed Brit-
ish agent, 803 ; Lee's
estimate of, 947 ;
mentioned, 57, 357,
371, 372. 394, 402,
407, 409, 410, 420,
493. 524. 5^. 600,
663, 669, 693, 887,
890.
Thomas, appointed
commercial agent,
45» 188, 543 ; Frank-
lin's letter on, 53;
Lee's union, 56, 57 ;
commissioners called
983
upon to interfeiie,
195, 255, 561, 592;
his misconduct, 204,
212, 224, 234, 240,
301, 543 ; death, 353,
565 ; his papers, 355,
365, 367. 370. 374,
384, 395, 407, 495,
566, 585, 600; men-
tioned, 52, 54, 55,
199, 216, 232, 273,
277. 290, 331, 348,
357, 394.
Moylan, 290, 421.
Mulberry trees, 364.
Navy, American, romantic, 922.
French, a scheme for,84i.
Great Britain, 807.
Negotiations at Paris, 184.
Negroes, care of, 363.
emancipation, 130, 144,
171.
Ncufville, Jean de, 472, 499, 509,
525, 624.
Neutrality, armed, 526, 791, 796,
817, 819, 824.
New England, bill against, 137,
139, 140, 145, 146. 148, 151.
Newnham, Nathaniel, 20, 483.
Newton, John, 69.
New York committee, 31; offic-
ials, 160; traitors, 128.
Nicholas, Robert Carter, 139.
Nicholson, Captain Samuel, 197,
199, 223. 231, 409, 450, 454.
662.
Noailles, 41 z.
Non-exportation, 99, loi, 105,
109, 144, 148, 154.
North, Lord, election squib, 16;
submits American papers, 21 ;
characterized, 24, 88; bill, 82;
motion, 133, 135, 137, 141,
150; eager to resign, 361;
measure of conciliation, 376 ;
on commissioners, 513; men-
tioned, 94, 128, 414, 470, 710,
902.
North ministry, 361.
Norton, 454.
Fletcher, 819.
Nova Scotia, 433.
Oaths, 601.
Oliver, 16.
Opposition in Parliament, 470^
710, 782.
Orvilliers, 676.
Osbaldiston, Richard, 71.
Paca, W., 718.
Paine, Thomas, 669.
Palisser, Hugh, 512.
Panin, 648, 728.
Paper money in America, 649^
660, 833, 850.
Paradise, John, 891.
Parties in America, 637; m
Britain, 153, 172.
Partridge, J., 26.
984
Peace, iustructions and propo-
sals for, 599, 633, 723, 735,
744, 840, 857 ; Franklin's
proposition, 734 ; Necker*s
proposed truce, 779; negotia-
tions at Paris, 860, 885, 899,
917, 927; black work in, 893;
the treaty in Parliament, 929,
940.
Peculation, 596.
Peltier du Doyer, 387, 556, 631.
Penet, 46, 301, 356, 374, 423,
460, 464. 468, 497, 778, 919.
Peuet, Pliame & Co., 47, 58,
224, 228, 234, 240, 267.
Penn, Richard, 169, 669.
Pennsylvania, proceedings of
Assembly, 146.
Petition, general mania for, 40;
London merchants, 23, no,
III, 120, 121, 122, 123, 148.
Petrie, S., 208, 219, 297, 618,
625, 627, 644, 657, 684, 794,
831.
Picquet, La Motte, 643, 647.
Pirates, 237.
Pitt, William, 868, 900; his
trade bills, 933.
Plater, George, 787.
Pliame, 46, 301, 374, 464.
Plomer, 13.
Politics, English, 6.
Ports, free, in France, 363, 427.
Portugal, attitude of, 317.
Post office, insecurity of, 620.
Powder for Colonies, 89.
Pringle, J. J., 368. 658,
Prizes, questions arising on, 53,
220, 228, 230, 252, 267, 280,
287, 292, 324, 332, 402, 551,
764.
Privateers, regulation of, 278,
317.
Prohibitory act, 378.
Prussia and American priva-
teers, 501 ; position of, 416,
428, 439, 609, 785 ; trade with
America, 276, 299, 318, 756,
838 ; king of, and America,
321, 354, 403, 668, 678, 741.
Pulteney, 428.
Qiiebec act, 89, 92, 164; mer-
chants, 22, 920.
Recruiting in Great Britain,
164, 179, 192, 316, 323, 329,
360, 379. 385. 616.
Reed, Joseph, 51.
Richard Penn, the, 534.
Ridley, Matthew, 370.
Roberts, John, 17, 77.
Robinson, John, 337.
William, 70.
Rogers, Nicholas, 207.
Rolleston, 130.
Ross, Captain, 40, 394.
John, sent to Nantes, 46,
203, 549; sketch of,
199 ; interferes with
I^e, 215, 356, 370, 389,
394, 396, 407 ; charges
985
upon Lee, 371, 399;
seeks appointment,
354, 420 ; set aside by
Adams, 435, 437 ; men-
tioned, 52, 213, 225,
302, 354» 361, 365, 373.
374, 409, 410, 418, 419,
493, 524, 663, 671.
Rjissia, troQps from, 179 ; decla-
ration of neutrality, 790,
796 ; may injure France, 647.
Rust, Vincent, 69.
Sampson, Captain, 752.
Sawbridge, 16.
Sayre, Stephen, 13, 15, 17, 77,
213, 657.
Schulenberg, Baron, 679.
Schweighauser, J. D., 239, 357,
358, 366, 388,
393, 408, 418,
419, 435, 437,
531,571,574.
Miss, 208.
Scotch, the, 164, 174, 183, 424,
626, 942.
Scrutiny of votes, 77.
Seal for Virginia, 482.
Searle, James, 816, 819, 825,
828, 849.
Secret Committee, 362, 381.
Selkirk, Earl of, 636.
Separation of political and
financial concerns in agents,
632.
Shakespeare, John, 16, 26.
Shelbumc, Lord, election
squib, 16 ; a wicked man, 94 ;
414, 417 ; minister, 447, 867,
901; duel, 789; hostile to
America; 857, 869 ; on peace,
899 ; mentioned, 926, 930.
Sheriflfs of London, address, 77.
Shipwrights, petition of, 165.
Silk culture, 364.
Sloane, Hans, 383.
Smith, Lieut Col. Edward, 421.
Meriwether, 716, 753.
Rev. Thomas, 102.
William, 301.
Snuff-box, 775.
Sollier, 54, 215.
Spain, friendly to America,
279 ; political position, 357,
383, 386, 519, 610, 641, 698,
699, 703, 727, 741, 821 ; Amer-
ican prizes, 269 ; king of, 939.
Specie, bills in America, 489;
suggested introduction, 834.
Stanley, Hans, 383, 384.
Stephen, Adam, 825.
Stevenson, William, 61, 325,
334, 363.
Stewart, Anthony, 106.
Stock jobbing, 285, 300, 901.
Stockton, Samuel W., 528, 657,
693-
Stormont, Lord, 411.
Suflfolk, Lord, 119.
Supplies, purchase of, 276, 283;
quality of 189, 210, 695.
986
TaxBtion of America, 93.
Taxes in America, 318, 45^,
Tayloe, John, 75.
Tea in Mar>*land, 107; Virginia,
no; payment for, 87.
Temple, Lord, 93, 414.
John, 43^698, 707, 713.
Teschen, Congress of, 514, 536,
603, 74a
Thomson, Charles, 332.
Thompson, Captain, 447.
Thornton, Major, 286, 369, 428,
670.
Thorpe, S.. 297, 872.
Tobacco contracts, 59, 217, 226,
263, 3S2 ; sales and trade, 73,
74, 86, IQ5, 107, 109, 125, 145,
150. 159. 297, 490; ware-
houses, 69.
Tories in America, S23.
Townsend, Alderman, 92a
Townshend. John, 16.
Traitors in America, 832.
Treasonable correspondence,
371-
Treaty of commerce with
France, 12th article, 358;
with Prussia, 299 ; with Euro-
pean powers. 433, 931.
Trecothick. Barlow, 20, 29, 96.
Ttmnboll, John, 831.
Union of Colonies, 90L
Van Berckel. 499.
Vanghan, Samuel, 22, 288.
IVergenncs, 48, 404, 518, 534,
788.
Verplanck, 372.
Virginia, aristocracy of, i ; con-
vention, 156 ; resolutions,
IG4; disturbances, 162; re-
ply to North, 178; defence
of, 172 ; agency of, 241, 247,
737. 762, 778* 908. 91& ; s«al
for, 482 ; purchase of arms,
443, 44S, 611, 613, 695, 700.
745 ; loan for, 635, 729, 749;
paper money, 823 ; invasion
of, 699. 823, 846, 85a
Washington, George, 177, 271,
288, 391, 453, 456. 938.
Watts, 128.
Wedderbume, 361, 709, 941.
Welch. 2S5.
Wentworth, Paul. 170, 286.
West Indies. 359, 723.
Wharton, Samuel, 658, 810, 812.
White, Henry, 12S.
Wickes, Lambert, 53, 197, 199,
202, 222, 231. 251. 662-
Wilkes, John, 7, 16, 25, 40.
Williams, Jonathan, commis-
sioners appoint to receive
prizes, 52, 197. 199, 202 ; op-
posed by Lee, 55, 56, 262,
273, 277, 2S9; removal de-
manded. 60, 556, 559; the
Nantes prizes, 229. 230, 253,
267 ; Morris joins with him,
331, 54S; commissions, 366;
987
appointment suggested by
Lee, 373, 392, 397, 398, 401,
408; Adams and, 435, 436;
Arthur Lee on his accounts,
631 ; mentioned, 418, 428,
493» 541, 567, 663, 736, 770.
Wooldridge, 23, 42, 132.
Wonneley, 75, 454.
Wrixon, Major, 515.
Yorktown, breach of capitula-
tion, 859.
Young, John, 357, 358, 381.
Page 58, 6th line
195, 14th line
208, i6th line
327, I5tb line
368, 6th line
387, 6th line
390, Heading
428, 1 6th line
825, 6th line
905, Heading
ERRATA.
from top, for Dana^ read Deane.
from bottom, for Edward read Edmund,
from top, for S r read S[chweighau5e]r,
from bottom, for Jennings read Jenings,
from top, for L / C / read L\amber'\t
C\pur\L
from bottom, for vice read nee.
of letter, for Scuhlenberg read Schulenberg,
from bottom, for Thoronton read Thornton
from bottom, for Stevens read Stephen,
of letter, for William read Edward,
\
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