Arthur Lee to Elbridge Gerry about accounts and supplies - American History 1493-1945 - Adam Matthew Digital

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Field name	Value
Collection Reference Number	GLC01450.456
From Archive Folder	Documents Relating to 1780
Title	Arthur Lee to Elbridge Gerry about accounts and supplies
Date	6 December 1780
Author	Lee, Arthur (1740-1792)
Recipient	Gerry, Elbridge
Document Type	Correspondence
Content Description	Docketed in Gerry's hand. Tells Gerry that Congress has finally decided to satisfy his accounts "declaring that no charge against me have been proved." Comments that he thinks "a serious inquiry into the conduct of the Commissioners, must soon commence" and defends the quality of the military supplies he secured from Gardoqui & Co. in France. Briefly relates news of advantages against Lord Cornwallis and General Leslie's evacuation of Virginia. Lee had been recalled from France, suspected of abusing his diplomatic post.
Subjects	Revolutionary War Corruption and Scandal Finance Diplomacy Congress Government and Civics Continental Congress Military History Military Supplies Global History and Civics France Battle
People	Lee, Arthur (1740-1792) Gerry, Elbridge (1744-1814)
Place written	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Theme	The American Revolution; Foreign Affairs
Sub-collection	The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859
Additional Information	Arthur Lee was an American diplomat, politician, and political writer. He, along with Silas Deane and Benjamin Franklin, was appointed Commissioner to France by the Continental Congress (1776) in order to negotiate a treaty and solicit aid. Lee also sought aid in Spain and Germany and served in the Virginia House of Delegates and the Continental Congress (1781-1784).
Copyright	The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Module	Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859
Transcript	Show/hide Dear Sir Philadelphia Decr. 6th. 1780 After every delay, from a side of the House Such I need not mention to you, Congress have agreed to a report for the liquidation of my Accounts, & declaring that no charges against me have been provd, & that I was not recalld from any dissatisfaction with my conduct. The Committee, consisting of Messrs Maddison, Bee & Clark, had added - that Congress were satisfyd of the zeal & fidelity with which I had dischargd my duty. But Mr. Duane had influence enough to have this rejected. If they continue always as frugal of their approbation, it will be very valuable when obtaind. Coud five years constant Service, in the most dangerous situations have merited their thanks, I might have flatterd myself with receiving them. As I think a serious inquiry into the conduct of the Commissioners, must soon commence, I shall be much obligd to you for obtaining & transmitting to me thro Mr Lovell the most authentic attestations of the goodness of the Supplies which I sent thro the Gardoquis for the Public. Perhaps too it may be in their power to obtain information of the quality of the Muskets Gun- barrels & Soldiers Clothing send from France by Dr. Franklin Mr Deane & Mr. Williams. From this, I imargine, it will appear that; however great the impositions were in the prices, they were still greater in the quality of the things sent. The Militia have gaind several advantages in S.C. over Party. of Cornwallis's flying Army, but Genl. Leslie has evacuated Virginia to reenforce the East, & I apprehend he will then be enabled to retrieve his ground. Please to offer my respects to Genl. Warren & other friends with you I have the honor to be, with the greatest esteem Dear Sir, Yr most Obedt. Serv.t Arthur Lee [address leaf] The Honble Elbridge Gerry Esqr. Member of Congress now at Boston [docket] Whila Letter Hone A Lee Esqr Decr 6th 1780 and Jany 8 1781 political Letter From Jany 1st 1780 to 1781

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