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A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1875


Item 576 of 2186
Letters of Delegates to Congress: Volume: 14 October 1, 1779 - March 31, 1780 --Committee for Foreign Affairs to Arthur Lee
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Letters of Delegates to Congress: Volume: 14 October 1, 1779 - March 31, 1780
Committee for Foreign Affairs to Arthur Lee



Sir Octr. 13. 1779. This is officially to convey to you the Knowledge of the Appointment of a Minister plenipotentiary in lieu of a Commissioner at the Court of Spain; and also a Resolve of Congress of this Day (1) upon the Reading of your Letter of the 31st of May.(2) Mr. Jay will probably be in a short Time in Europe to execute his Commission.
I am, Sir, your most humble Servant,
James Lovell, for the Comtee. of forgn. Affairs

Page 66

OCTOBER 13, 1779

Link to date-related documents.



RC (ViU: Lee Family Papers). Written and signed by Lovell.
1 Congress had resolved "that Mr. A. Lee be informed of Mr. Jay's appointment, and that, agreeably to his request, he is at liberty to return to America." JCC, 15:1165-66. Lovell had made this motion because he feared that Lee would be embarrassed by being informed of his replacement through the newspapers, which had printed extracts of Congress' resolves appointing John Jay a minister to Spain. See Lovell to John Adams, October 5, note 1, and to William Whipple, October 5, 1779, note 1.
2 Lee's May 31, 1779, letter offering to resign his commission is in PCC, item 83, 2:268-71; and Wharton, Diplomatic Correspondence, 3:196. See also James Lovell to Richard Henry Lee, this date, note 2.

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