Committee for Foreign Affairs to William Lee

The enclosed resolve it is hoped will be productive of singular advantage so far as relates to you, who must depend greatly for American inteligence on your Connexions at Paris. Congress have been and are exceedingly loaded with business, and, of late, have met with some singular interruptions in the intended general arrangement of their Foreign affairs, so that they have yet only decided in respect to Doctor Franklin their Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court of France. Our first and most pressing business is the appreciation of our currency. This point accomplished our Enemies themselves will acknowledge their hopes of conquering us at an end. The British Commissions sent on a foolish and wicked errand to America are returning home completely disappointed, and there is reason from appearances, to think, that the Land forces of Britain are gradually withdrawing from these States. It is probable that the Marquis de la Fayette, by whom this Letter goes, will obtain in Boston further knowledge than we now have of the destination of a Fleet lately departed from New York amounting to about one hundred & fifty Sail. We Shall desire Mr. Adams to give you all possible information on the arrival of this Packet, and Shall soon dispatch other Letters from this Port.

With hearty prayers for your Welfare we are Sir, your affectionate Friends,

Signed, Richard H. Lee

James Lovell