I receivd a Letter a few Days ago from France dated the 7th of December, in which my patriotick Friend Arthur Lee is mentiond in Terms of the highest Confidence and Respect.  I will give you the following Extracts.—­” Your old Friend is a Man of Honor and Integrity “—­” He has been of Opinion that the publick Money has been too freely issued here, and has often opposd it.”—­“Insinuations, I have been told, have been made at Court against him, that he was too friendly to the English, too much attachd to Lord Shelburne, and even that he corresponded with his Lordship and communicated Intelligence to him.  This, whoever suggested it, I am perfectly confident was a cruel Calumny, and could not have made Impression, if his Colleagues had contradicted it in the Manner you and I should have done.  You and I have had Opportunity to know his invariable Attachment to our Cause long before Hostilities commencd; and I have not a Colour of Ground for Suspicion that from that time to this he has deviated an Iota from the Cause of his Country, in Thought Word or Deed.  When he left England, or soon after, he wrote a Letter of mere Compliment to his Lordship, a mere Card to bid him farewell, and receivd such another in Return; which he assures me are all the Letters that ever passd between them, and I have not a Doubt of the Truth of it”—­“Some of the Gentlemen of Character who are now in America from this Country, particularly the ——­ and ——­, it is to be feard, have had Prejudices insinuated into them against your old Correspondent.  I am extremely sorry for this, because I think it is against a worthy Character, and because I think it will be likely to have unhappy Effects both with you and abroad.”

You may show the foregoing Extracts to such of my Confidential Friends as you think proper.  They are the Sentiments of one in whom they have great Confidence, and may serve to convince them that the Insinuations of Mr Dean though artfully made and designed to prejudice the Reputation of an honest Man, are groundless, and that Dr Lee, who took an early decided and active Part in this glorious Contest, continues the consistent Patriot.

Your Letters my dear, cannot come to me too frequently.  Remember me to my Daughter, Sister Polly, Brother Tommy and other Friends, and be assured that I am

most affectionately

your

March 9th

TO JOHN ADAMS.

[Ms., Samuel Adams Papers, Lenox Library.]

Mar 9 [1779]

Mr L will write you fully by this Oppty.  I take up my pen chiefly to let you know that I am in the Land of the Living and bear you affectionately on my Mind.  While I am in this World I am resolvd that no Vexation shall put me out of Temper if I can possibly command myself.  Even old Age which is making Strides towards me shall not prevail to make me peevish.  I find that an older Man than I am, can in the apparent Coolness of Mind, stabb a dreaded