[c.16 February 1779]
The Key you sent will not explain a Letter of Doctr. Lee of Paris Aug. 31. 1778 nor will the Dictionary that has, at last, been delivered to the Committee for forgn. affairs. I hope you can assist me, tho’ I rather think that yr Brother has lately sent some other Key, which may have been lost. I give you the first Paragraph.2
"Gent: It has been hinted to me that there will be two important subjects of {negotiation}3 with the {Spanish Court} upon which I beg to have the {Orders} of {Congress}.
"1st. Providing the {Spanish Navy} with {Masts} at a stipulated and as reasonable a Price as possible.
"2d. The {Cession} of {Florida} should it be {conquer’d} to them.
"For this they would {stipulate}, whenever {peace} is {concluded} to furnish the {fund} for {sink}ing all or great part of the {paper}.
"I cannot presume to proceed at all on these {proposition}s without express {instruction}. In the mean Time what further Lights I can obtain shall be communicated immediately.
"I have the honor to be &c."
Receiver’s copy, Lee Family Papers, University of Virginia Library. In Lovell’s hand, with deciphered words interlined in the hand of Richard Henry Lee.
1 This date has been assigned because the original of Arthur Lee’s 31 August letter to the committee for foreign affairs that Lovell transcribed here for Richard Henry is endorsed: "recd. Feb. 16. 79." PCC item 83, 1:278 - 81. It seems probable that Lovell sent it to Lee to be deciphered soon after it was received by the committee.
2 In fact, Lovell provided the entire letter. See Wharton, Diplomatic Correspondence, 2:699.
3 Words printed in braces in this text were written by Lovell in cipher and deciphered by Lee.