and assurance that the trunk shoud make a part of what he was allowd to bring that I allowd them to be brought in the Alliance contrary to what I repeatedly exprest to him. As the Admiralty Board is filld with Duane's friends and Creatures, they did not fail to report this and every thing else they coud cull out against me to Congress. But it has had no Effect, that I know of, on that Body, nor has any use been made [of] it without doors.

There is now operating in union against Dr. Lee's being Minister for foreign Affairs, the french interest, that of Dr. Franklin and of Mr. Duane or of the Tories. You will not therefore wonder that no choice has been made since their Candidate Chancellor Livingston, who, on being detected with his Brother in partnership with Arnold in his illicit plan of Commerce with N. York, retird from Congress, can get but three States.1 You may judge Sir, by their proposing and supporting such a Candidate, for the most confidential office in the U. S., to what a pitch of audacity toryism has arrivd in Congress. You will also judge what respect the french have for our whigg principles when they cultivate and countenance most openly the avowd Tories. Their policy in this is to have a party devoted to their measures, which they know are not for the interest of America, and which they therefore justly conclude the true whigs woud not support. But they have not sagacity enough to perceive that the Tories are only coinciding with them to gain an ascendency over the Whigs, and that they are ministering to views directly opposite to what they pretend the support of our Independence.

that it

What I always knew must now be clear to every one was not Dr. Lee but his principles that were offensive to the french Court: since in conjunction with Dr. Franklin, they have commenc'd the very same intrigues against our friend Mr. J. Adams. They know that his intentions are to honest, and his mind too firm, for their purposes; and therefore they are endeavoring to disgrace him, or shakle him with the wiles of that old, corrupt Serpent, who has constantly sold this Country to them.

1 On January 17, 1781, Robert R. Livingston was nominated by James Mitchell Varnum and Arthur Lee by Thomas McKean, for the office of Secretary of Foreign Affairs. On August 10 Livingston was again nominated by William Floyd and elected.

From what I know past relative to the Fishery, I am sure that is one of their objects; and that this manouvre is principally to trick us out of that, to which they know Mr. Adams is an invincible obstacle. I am not without my fears, that the wisdom and virtue of Congress, will not be proof against the wiles and temptations they employ. It seems to me therefore, that you shoud endeavor to have strong Instructions sent from N. Hampshire and Rhode Island to their Delegates, who certainly stand in need of them, in support of Mr. Adams and in maintenance of a full and clear right to the Fishery.

I have heard nothing of the Grant of Land made me by the General Court. I am very desirous of having that matter finisht and therefore shall be much obligd to you to attend to its execution. It is not clear to me that those french politics and a confidence in their promises of a second Division, which I believe was never intended, will occasion the total loss of Virginia. It is already almost ruind. Had the 2d Division been sent as it was promist, it woud have enabled us to drive the Enemy out of the Country, confirmd our Independency and finisht the War. But to finish the war is neither the interest nor object of France; therefore it is weak in us to expect they will perform such a promise. But if we coud not penetrate so far into their policy, yet their not having performd what they have promist for fifteen months, while they are sending larger naval Armaments to different parts of the world, to make conquests, shoud warn us that we are made the dupes of their policy and the instruments of their ambition. Your friends in Virginia are in the neighbourhood of the war, and I fear will be made particular objects of its cruelty and destruction.

I beg my respects to Mrs. Warren and Mrs. Adams and my Compts. to the two Mr. Bowdoins, Mrs. Gerry, Mr. Lowell and the rest of our patriotic friends. Farewell.

[No signature.]

ARTHUR LEE TO JAMES WARREN

PHILADELPHIA, July 27th, 1781 DEAR SIR, -I receivd your favor of the 29th of April a few days ago. The Gentleman you have fixt upon for a high office is indebted to your partiality. Certain it is, that the French have put their veto upon him which is at present absolute. That influence flows in a full stream here, and until it ebbs you must not expect to see his name in any public employment.

It was my intention to have returnd immediately into perfect privacy, but some difficulties about what I had advancd for the State of Virginia obligd me to go thither and return to settle my Accounts, which they are very slow in doing and without which I shall not demand the Salary that is due to me during the time I was Commissioner.

Congress have very injudiciously I fear, and contrary to their resolutions when there was a plot to remove me, joind Dr. F[ranklin] in commission with Mr. Adams when they know that unprincipled old man has created differences with Mr. Adams and is endeavoring to ruin his reputation. Mr. Jay, Laurens the elder and Govr. Jefferson are added. But their Instructions are such as throw them at the feet of Count Vergennes in every thing but Independency. Mr. Adams can no more escape the Snares of old Franklin with the Count to assist him, that I coud. I do not say that such treatment of Mr. Adams is unwise and unworthy; only, it is as cruel as if they had stretchd him upon an iron bed of torture and left the old man at full liberty to glut himself with tormenting him.

And yet it is not easy to determine what our friend shoud [do.] If he resigns he will save himself; if he continues he may serve the Public. If he resigns he will leave the Public at the mercy of those unprincipled men; if he continues, he may be a check upon them. or detect their wickedness. But whether there will ever [be] virtue enough candidly to enquire and duely to punish State crimes; I cannot determine. Now at least is not the time; but perhaps when foreign influence ceases, justice will have its course and vice its reward.

I Journals of the Continental Congress, xx. 651.

I cannot say how much I feel myself flattered by Mrs. Warren's remembrance of me. I sympathize with her and Mrs. Adams in the feelings I know they must have for their Country and their friend from the unworthy proceedings with regard to him in Congress. But as pity humiliates the object of it; I would have them convert it into a noble contempt of those persons who are the authors of this ungrateful treatment. His Country, unless lost to all principle, will do him justice.

My Enemies in Congress avail themselves as much as possible of Mr. Blodget's testimony, to establish a conclusion that I prevented the Clothing and other Stores from being brought in the Alliance. Not one of them believe this, but their wish is to impose it upon others in order to shield Dr. Franklin, his Agents and Partners, whose roguery they know was the real cause, and who seem to have determind that the refuse things they purchasd shoud never reach America to bear witness against them. But as the fact upon which they found their calumny is upon Oath and partially stated, I think it proper that the whole shewing what space the Goods occupyd, when they were taken in, and whether they did in any manner whatsoever interfere with the Stores, shoud also be upon Oath, and I beleive Congress will direct the Navy-board to examine Mr. Blodget on Oath to these points.

From the present situation of things it must be some years before the Land granted me can be settled or any profit drawn from it; therefore it woud be reasonable that it shoud be exempted from taxes for a certain number of years; otherwise the grant will be a burthen not a benefit. I shall be much obligd to you to attend to this circumstance, and have it inserted when the Grant is compleated.

Politics here, are all comprizd in a few words. We lean entirely on the French and on Mr. R. Morris. I wish they may prove neither broken reeds, nor Spears to peirce us. No late Advices from Europe.

Please to make my respects acceptable to Mrs. Warren and the Mrs. Adams's, and remember me to Mr. Adams, Gerry, Lowell, Russel and all other friends to the honor and independence of America. [No signature.]

Adieu.

ARTHUR LEE TO JAMES WARREN

PHILADELPHIA, April 8th, 1782

DEAR SIR, - I venture so far to trespass on your goodness as to beg the favor of you to get the interest from your Treasury, due for two years upon the enclosd 629 Dolls. of the one for forty emission of your State, and transmit the money to me by the first safe opportunity. I must also trouble you with keeping the Bills themselves for me; that they may be ready to be disposd of, or to draw the interest as hereafter may appear most beneficial.

You will oblige me much, by letting me know, whether, the grant made me by your Assembly has been located, or in what state it rests.

It gave me great pleasure to hear, that you and Mrs. Warren were settled so near Boston, and at so beautiful a Seat as that of the late Govr. Hutchinson. It has not always happend in like manner, that the forfeited Seats of the wicked, have been filld with men of virtue. But in this corrupt world, it is sufficient that we have some examples of it for our consolation.

The detection of Mr. Deane, seems not to have drawn any punishment nor even odium on those who countenancd and profited by his wickedness. Among these Dr. Franklin and Mr. R. Morris, are the most conspicuous. The latter was obligd to acknowledge in the News-papers that he was in partnership with Mr. D[eane] but pretended he thought him a man of honor. The Doctor by Letters of the strongest recommendation endeavord to deceive Congress into a renewal of their confidence in him, with a new and important appointment. There are Letters in town from Mr. Searle, late member of Congress, declaring that he has been repeatedly scandalizd by hearing Mr. Deane utter the abuse against America and France, which is containd in his intercepted Letters, at Dr. F[ranklin]'s table, without any reprehension from the Doctor. Under all there suspicions, Dr. Franklin is appointed one of the Commissioners to negociate a peace, because France wills it; and Congress are complaisant enough to say they trust in his zeal and integrity. God forgive them!

I In Milton.