Lot
693 
[Treasury] Arthur Lee, Commissioner of the Board of the Treasury 1785-89. Free frank "Free A. Lee" signature as Commissioner on folded letter endorsed "Board of Treasury" to James Ewing, Commissioner of the Loan Office for the State of New Jersey, letter (circular) datelined "Board of Treasury Decr. 6. 1787" concerning copper coinage signed by both Samuel Osgood and Arthur Lee, "New York" straightline postmark with matching "Free" rating handstamp; Very Fine and scarce, ex-Meroni, Richard Graham Collection. Estimate $300 - 400.
Arthur Lee was brother of Richard Henry Lee and Francis Lightfoot Lee. During the American Revolution the Continental Congress named Lee its envoy to Spain and Prussia, but his success was at best mixed. Later, in Paris, after Lee helped negotiate the Treaty of Alliance (1778) with France, he fell out with Benjamin Franklin and Silas Deane. He persuaded Congress to recall Deane to America, but he was himself recalled soon afterward. In addition to his diplomatic duties, Lee was arguable one of Americas first spies and gathered information in France and Britain. He also successfully identified Edward Bancroft, secretary to the American legation in Paris, as a spy. Virginia sent Lee as a delegate to the Continental Congress in 1782.
Realized: $425