Philadelphia, 23d Augt 1779.
My Dear Sir
It gives me pleasure to find by Your favor of the 8th inst that you have got the better of Your indisposition & I hope shortly to have the additional satisfaction of being informed that your health is perfectly restored.
The Confederacy is still waiting for her freight,
1
I fancy a late arrival at Boston will hasten her departure.
A long Political letter has been receiv’d from Mr. Adams in which he gives a high Character of his Companion from France.
2
I hope this Gentn will receive such impressions in the Country where he first landed as will sufficiently Guard him against the pernicious Air of Philaa. From the Character given of him there is no room to apprehend much danger of his being drawn into party by the insidious acts of base, designing men, but still it may not be amiss to fortify him against any such attempts. The arrival of Mr. Adams may make a change in some Political plans, I wish he wod come this way but I do not understand he has any such intention.
The reading of Dr Lee’s vindication &c afforded me high entertainment,
3 Envy, malice, and every vindictive passion that disappointed malevolence could inspire appeared on various countenances round the Room. Fiddle head shook,4 Swivel Eye, nestled & turnd pale,5 the Chair, changed colour at every sentence,6
some others forced a sneer endeavouring to conceal their shagreen & Confusion, This you may well suppose afforded me no small degree of enjoyment.
The Base Viol has tarried a fortnight beyond the time he some time ago set for his departure,
7 he has met with something of late that has lowered him exceedingly but what it is I know not, perhaps it may be the Oath you mention.8
What can be become of Ford it is now ten days since a fellow Passenger of his passed through this City who informed that Ford had dispatched for Congress, but nothing further has been heard of him, it is hinted by some that he will not be permitted to pass this way, but those are not remarkable for their Friendship for his late employer.
I shall not be under the least concern for the fishery if a proper person can be agreed on to negotiate the business but that still remains a matter of uncertainty.
The resignation of Dr Lee at this time wod certainly be injurious, ’tho I hope when he has compleated the business that I expect he is now engaged in he will ask leave to come to America, but in my Opinion it will be best not to resign. The thought of his coming to this Country wod make some of the Villains tremble, but if he resigns it will be said he has no intention of coming here, and many injurious stories will be circulated that may make an impression that may give him or his friends some trouble to remove. The few select Friends who you have Honoured with your Confidence have considerd the subject submitted to them, their Opinions will be given you by Mr L - - or Mr L - l
9
who no doubt will write you fully on the subject.
It is uncertain when I shall take my leave of this place but I believe it will be Octor first when ever that happens or where ever I may be, to hear of Your Happiness will always be a great addition to mine.
I am My Dear Sir with the highest Esteem & most sincere affection Yours,
Wm. Whipple
Receiver’s copy, Lee Family Papers, American Philosophical Society.
1 A reference to Conrad Alexandre Gérard, who was awaiting the arrival of his replacement, the chevalier de La Luzerne. However, not until 17 September was the Confederacy's commander Seth Harding officially ordered to receive Gérard on board and on 17 October John Jay, newly appointed minister to Spain, was added to his passenger list. See Marine Committee to Samuel Tucker, 25 June, note 2; and to Seth Harding, 17 September, 17 October 1779.
2 That is, La Luzerne.
3 For the reading of Arthur Lee's "vindication," see James Lovell to Richard Henry Lee, 17 July 1779.
4 Probably Meriwether Smith.
5 James Duane.
6 That is, John Jay.
7 That is, Meriwether Smith.
8 For Smith's anger over the oath adopted by Virginia prohibiting its delegates in Congress from engaging in commerce, see Meriwether Smith to Thomas Jefferson, 6 July 1779.
9 That is, Henry Laurens and James Lovell. For their advice on whether Arthur Lee's letter of resignation should have been submitted to Congress, see Lovell to Richard Henry Lee, 17 September, 13 October 1779, note 3.