Annapolis Jany. 3d 1784
Dear Sir.
The resolution of this day was movd by your friends with the view of giving you any opportunity you might wish to communicate your thoughts on our Affairs, or on your own conduct. You will therefore second their views by coming as soon as it may be convenient.
1
At the same time it is my opinion that no one in Congress is in any manner dissatisfyd with your conduct, & that the seeming rebuke you receivd was prompted by the french Secretary here, because you did not appear sufficiently subservient in that quarter.
2 The late Sec. for for. Afs.3
was far too much under that influence.
I must sincerely congratulate you on your safe return to the bosom of your friends & Country.
4
Adieu,
A. Lee
Receiver's copy, Dana Papers, Massachusetts Historical Society.
1 This day Congress received Dana's December 17 letter announcing his arrival in Boston and asking whether he should come to Annapolis "to render a more particular account of his late mission [to Russia]," which Congress immediately affirmed. See JCC, 26:4.
2 For Congress' May 1782 rebuke of Dana, see these Letters, 18:469n.6.
3 That is, Robert R. Livingston.
4 Dana's February 3 acknowledgement of this letter is in the Lee Family Papers, MH-H; and Richard Henry Lee, Life of Arthur Lee LL.D., 2 vols. (Boston: Wells and Lilly, 1829), 2:287.