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The Fishery, I am afraid, is the object and will be the sacrifice of this appointment. This question will come on in Congress, and I think your ablest members shoud be here. But Instructions from Congress will avail little, if a corrupt Commissioner is entrusted with them, who certainly never meaning to return to this Country, will feel himself very easy about our reproaches, while he is enjoying in France the reward of his Treachery. I know from what passd at the Treaties we concluded, that to monopolize the Fishery is the object of France, and I am most sure that Dr. Franklin will be the instrument of effecting it.

The Members from your State, and from Connecticut, seem desirous of admitting Vermont into the Confederation; but it appears very doubtful, whether this can be done agreable to the Confederation or consistent with true policy. The small States, upon this precedent, may dismember the great ones; or as they have an equal voice in proportioning the Quotas, may combine together to burthen the larger States with the whole expence. To acknowlege their independence without giving them a voice in Congress woud answer I conceive every purpose of attaching them to our cause, without hazarding our union by admitting them a Member of the confederation. . . . 1

A. LEE

Arthur LEE TO JAMES WARREN

[July, 1782.]

DEAR SIR, Your favor of the 1st ult. reachd me safely. I am very much obligd to you for your attention to me both as to the Paper money and the Grant. It is not a little unfortunate that the person so fit for the business shoud have been visited with so greivous a disorder, for which I am very sorry as well on his account as my own. It is probable that times of more safety in those parts will soon happen, for I think the Enemy can hardly continue the war long, and all parties seem disposd to peace.

I A letter from John Adams to James Warren, June 17, 1782, is in Writings of John Adams, IX. 511.

I wish it were in my power to give you any comfort as to the spirit that generally prevails in this Country. It seems as if patriotism was an unnatural feeling, and therefore short-livd; while prostitution and servility, were so congenial with human nature, that they revive and flourish with wonderful rapidity.

By the absolute order of France, Dr. Franklin and Mr. Jay were joind in commission with Mr. Adams for negociating a Peace. At this very time Congress had the fullest evidence and conviction that Dr. Franklin was both a dishonest and incapable man. Mr. Laurens and Mr. Jefferson were added, but the first was a prisoner, and the latter woud not go. Mr. Jay has with a very becoming spirit desird to be left out of a Commission, which is accompanied with Instructions to obey ultimately the opinion of the french Ministers. This he states, as in his apprehension, so humiliating to the Commissioners, so disgraceful and injurious to America that he cannot submit to it. I have movd in vain for a reconsideration of the Instructions. The yoke is riveted upon us, and the Man who I am sure sold us in the negociation with France, is the sole adjunct with Mr. Adams, in a negociation on which every thing that is dear and honorable to us depend. He, good man, felt no qualms at such a commission, no sense of dishonor or injury to his Country. On the contrary he expressd the utmost alacrity in accepting it, and I believe most cordially; since it puts him in the way of receiving money, which is the God of his Idolatry.

The French, therefore, are to make a peace for us; we have presumd only to desire Independance; but whether it shall be on secure and honorable terms, whether by the stipulations annexd to it we shall participate in the Fishery, in the navigation of the Missisippi, [or] in the western territory, whether conditions trenching nearer, and more shamefully on our rights will accompany the naked and nugatory assertion of Independance, is in the sovereign arbitration of the french Court. To judge what is for our own interest, to instruct our Plenipotentiaries, for them to think and act for us, are treason against the Alliance, by which we were acknowledgd independent and sovereign. In short, the most servile display of the most servile principles, is what alone must

entitle us to the patronage of our great and generous Protector. This was not the sentiment, or language, that commenced the revolution, and I can pledge myself it is not the sentiment or language that will bring it to a happy issue. But there seems to be no public here to appeal to. Sordid pursuits and servile attachments have apparently absorbd all the Faculties of our fellow Citizens. In the last resort, I hope the jealousy of G. Britain and of the other Powers in Europe will prevent France from abusing the power which we have thus basely and imprudently confided to her.

Spain has behavd towards us with very little wisdom or decency; but it is much to be suspected that the French are at the bottom of it; insomuch that a well-informd person on the spot, writes thus: "I have many reasons for believing that the french Court does not wish to see us declard independent by other Nations, lest we shoud become less manageable as we become less dependent on her for support." I have endeavord to inculcate this truth into those to whom it woud be useful, and yet they constantly act in opposition to it.

The rapacity of a certain person after power and profit, and the little caution or wisdom that governs appointments are the reasons for the accumulation of Offices in an unprincipled and suspected Individual. The distress of our Finances which he has the art of colouring high, and plentiful promises of relief from his wonderful abilities, operate like a charm upon weak minds.

I beg you will make my best & most respectful wishes acceptable to Mrs. Warren, and believe [me] always, with the most perfect esteem, Dear Sir, your most sincere friend.

[No signature.]

JOHN ADAMS TO JAMES WARREN

THE HAGUE, 2 July, 1782

DEAR SIR,- It is a long time since I had a Line from you, and from Sickness, and various Engagements it is long since I had the Pleasure of Writing to you. I suppose that Milton Hill, furnishes

you with Amusement enough, in your beloved Science and Practice of Agriculture. I wish I had Fortune enough to purchase me an equal Farm upon Pens Hill, and enter into an Emulation with you, which should make his Hill shine the brightest. I find that the various Combinations of Street Dust, Marsh Mud and Horse dung, furnish a more delicate Employment, than the foul Regions of Machiavillian Politicks. but when Honest Wisdom tryumphs over its opposite, as is sometimes the Case, Politicks themselves afford an exquisite Entertainment, to a well regulated Mind.

It is a Problem at present whether the English will evacuate N. York and Charlestown or not. it is very probable they would if they could, but how to get away, a great Number of Transports must be had, these must be protected by a superior Fleet. If Pigot, who succeeds Rodney should go with the whole Fleet, the French and Spaniards may do Mischief in the West Indies in the meantime.

It is supposed, that Carleton has orders to make Propositions to Congress but what can they be? Reconciliation, Seperate Peace, even upon an express Acknowledgement of our Independence, can never be thought of. We must keep our faith and not violate our Treaties. it is whispered too that the Garrisons of N. York and Charlestown are to be removed to Rhode Island, which is to be fortified as a Place of Arms, etc. This Policy is beyond my Comprehension. There is but one sensible System for the English, and it is amazing to me, they dont see it, that is evacuate the United States and declare them by an Act of Parliament independent. Then, they might defend themselves better against France and Spain and other European Powers, would wish them success, and aid them by Negotiation to obtain more favourable Terms of Peace. But the present British Ministry have forced themselves into Power, partly by decrying the Capacity and Activity of the old Ministry and partly by Promises to the King and Nation that they had Address enough to make a seperate Peace with America and Holland. Both these Professions were false. They now appear to be so, and the Ministry know not what to do.

The present Ministry therefore, as I conjecture will languish

away the time undecided what to do, untill they become as unpopular as the past, unless the Parliament should be dissolved, and a new Election should give them a more decided Majority, ready to vote for American Independence, the Principles of the Armed Neutrality; Fisheries to France and Spain, Restitutions to Holland, Gibraltar and Minorca to Spain &c &c &c.

Thus it is that an Empire has, in a Frenzy, committed Suicide upon itself, almost as suddenly, as one of its Individuals could have swallowed a Pistol Bullet.

They have succeeded in propagating a general opinion in Europe that Peace will be soon made, and that their Stocks will rise after a Peace which opinions have actually raised them before the Peace, 5 or 6 Per Cent, by foreigners sending over considerable Sums to purchase in. if the Conferences for Peace should be broken off, the Stocks will fall again. Both sides will be loth to break off: but I really dont expect that any thing will come of them this year. My most profound Respects to your good Lady. Adieu. [No signature.]

JOHN ADAMS TO JAMES WARREN

THE HAGUE, August 19, 1782

MY DEAR SIR, -There is now an Harmony so entire between France America and Holland, that I think Affairs must come to a good Conclusion. if they do not it will I am perswaded be our Fault. But I am determined it shall not be mine, and I dont believe it will be Mr. Jay's.

Spain is now inclined to make a Treaty with Us, as I am informed, and the Comte d'Aranda is authorized to treat with him at Paris. This however, must not be made publick tho it may be communicated in Confidence. Mr. Dana seems weary, and I dont wonder. You have no Conception of the Torments that Mr. Jay and he and I have endured.

However the Foundations of great Things are never laid without Patience and long suffering.

Shelburne and Fox have split upon a nice Point and the lat

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