Philada. July 16 1779
Sir
Two days ago several of your Letters came to hand the latest being of April 6th.1 It is much to be regretted that this one in particular did not earlier arrive.2 One Copy of its Contents was sent immediately to Genl. Washington and another to Govr. Trumbull but alas, too late! Fairfield had been destroyed by the Fire of the Enemy. We are mistaken however if that Enemy does not find the unprofitableness of this Kind of Warefare towards their main purpose. America must be dead indeed to all proper Spirit if such doings will not render her both Vigilant & active, as in the begining of the Contest.
It is matter of much Conjecture why you have not been able for some months back to give us interesting Accounts from Spain: All we know is through Mr. Gérard.3
We have sent so many Setts of the Journals of Congress that you will doubtless get one. They are chiefly directed to Doctor Franklin. You will find the parts in which you are personally interested to be under the following dates, April 6, 15, 20, 21, 22, 26, 28, 30, May 3, 22, 24, 25, 27, June 8.
We shall speedily write again. In the mean Time be assured that we are with much Regard, Sir, your humble Servants,
James Lovell for the Comtee.
Receiver’s copy, Lee Family Papers, Houghton Library, Harvard University. Written and signed by James Lovell. Papers of Continental Congress, item 79, U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C. In a clerical hand.
1 Arthur Lee’s October 5, November 18, December 5, 1778, and January 5, 15, 20, and April 6, 1779, letters to the Committee for Foreign Affairs were read in Congress on July 15.JCC, 14:836. Lee’s letters are in PCC, item 83, 1:310 - 11, 373 - 76, 381 - 88, 405 - 8, 425 - 26, 2:148 - 49. All but those of October 5, 1778, and January 20, 1779, are in Wharton, Diplomatic Correspondence, 2:839 - 41, 850 - 51, 3:12 - 14, 25 - 26, 110 - 11.
2 See John Jay to George Washington and Jonathan Trumbull, July 13, 1779.
3 For Gérardâs July 12 conference with Congress, see Lovell to Samuel Adams, July 10, note 5, and July 13, 1779.
4 This September 16 postscript is taken from the FC. It was undoubtedly added to the later copies of the letter sent by Lovell when he feared the capture of the earlier dispatches. See Lovell to Arthur Lee, September 17, 1779.
5 Leeâs May 21, 1779, letter to the Committee for Foreign Affairs was read in Congress on August 23, 1779. JCC, 14:989.