Papers of John Adams, volume 7

William Lee to the Commissioners, 17 September 1778 Lee, William Franklin, Benjamin Lee, Arthur JA First Joint Commission at Paris

1778-09-17

William Lee to the Commissioners, 17 September 1778 Lee, William Franklin, Benjamin Lee, Arthur Adams, John First Joint Commission at Paris

William Lee to the Commissioners

Gentlemen Paris Sept. 17th. 1778

I wish to have a conference with you on a Subject1 that very materially concerns our Country which at present is a profound Secret to our Enemies or their Agents and must remain so 'till compleated, or the success will be interrupted; any hour therefore tomorrow (at 12 oClock or afterwards) when you are alone, that you may please to appoint, I will do myself the honour of waiting on you, and in the mean time I have the Honour to be with great regard, Gentlemen, Your most Obliged & Obedt. Humble Servant.

W. Lee 53

RC (PPAmP: Franklin Papers); docketed: “Wm Lee.”; in another hand: “Sept. 17. 78.”

The draft treaty of amity and commerce between the United States and the Netherlands, signed on 4 Sept. at Aix-la-Chapelle by William Lee and Jan de Neufville. A copy of the draft, in the hand of William Lee, is in the Adams Papers and was probably given to the Commissioners by Lee when they met. See Dumas to the Commissioners, 4 Sept., and note 2 (above).