conveying a State of the origin and progress of the Treaty with Holland, an Event which will make a figure in History in Proportion to its Importance, when Justice will be done to the Integrity and Ability, the Zeal and Perseverance of him who negotiated it. All the Honest part of America do that now equal to his wishes; but there are others, and some of them in high Stations and great Confidence, who have been stunned and mortified at this Success, some of them, perhaps, Influenced by Envy and some by Interest. but you know all about it. I need not tell you that Foreigners of high rank and character would not believe it possible. That the mighty of this part of the Globe condemned the measures taken to effect it, and at last believed the accounts of the success of them with reluctance. I wish I could know your Ideas of our present domestic Situation; of men vested with Imperial powers and, what is as bad, furnished with sources of Corruption equal to a King of Britain; of the Sagacity of that Congress which has found Abilities and Integrity where the Congress in 1775 and '76, etc., would never have suspected they were to be found. but I quit a subject I hate to reflect upon. I have conceived a great Opinion of Mr. Jay. he has conducted, if I am well informed, with great dignity. I dont believe it will be your fault or his if matters do not conclude well. if I was to give you two Instructions, they should be very discretionary. I have some Conception what you and he and Mr. Dana have endured. I dont wonder if you are all weary. The Good Dr. is now appointed to negotiate with Sweden. no doubt he will succeed and add a new Plume to his Cap.

I wish Mr. Jay may make an advantageous Treaty with Spain. it will be no unfavorable Circumstance to have it done at Paris instead of Madrid, or any other place, or places where he has danced attendance on that Court. Great Expectations and fears are formed here upon the fate of Gibraltar. if it falls, we expect a Peace, if it does not, we expect at least another Campaign, but I hope we shall be prepared for either.

You have, indeed, a large Field before you. The Questions to be decided are numerous and Important, quite enough so without descending to the Trifling Consideration of the Tories; and can it be possible at this Time of day that the British Cabinet should

interest themselves in their favor. what would they do for them. surely they would not wish them to have Neponset Hill. they deserve Nothing. but if they must have anything, they can expect no more than the Money their Estates sold for, out of the respective Treasurys where it is lodged, and that I hope is more than they will ever get, at least till Britain pays for all the devastations made on the Estates of honest Men. Mrs. W. writes you by this Opportunity. Great Events must find a place in her History, especially when Impartiality and Friendship combine to Insert them. That you may enjoy Health and Happiness is the Prayer of your Friend

J. W.

Not a Word about the dear Commonwealth of Massachusetts]. Yes. The first Magistrate is; the Executive Council is The Legislature is in the Usual Stile, sometimes making wise Laws and sometimes not; however, constantly making New, or repealing old ones. The present Members of Congress elected are, Gerry, Osgood, S. Higginson, Gorham, Holton and J. W. I believe the last must stay at Home and cultivate his Farm.

Nov. 24th. The preceeding Letter was designed to go by the Firebrand, who slipd away unexpectedly and left that and many others for you behind. Other owners might have been complaisant enough at least to have taken Mrs. Adams', but even Fortune cannot change the Spots of the Beast, or alter the Skin of the Ethiopian. since she saild nothing worthy your Notice has taken place. The French Fleet are still here and not quite ready for Sea. The French Army is expected soon, in order to embark on Board the Fleet. Mr. Gorham and Dr. Holton set out for Congress in a few days. I suppose Higginson will refuse and I am uncertain whether Gerry will go.

Arthur Lee TO JAMES WARREN

IN CONGRESS, Decr. 12th, 1782

DEAR SIR, I enclose you three Newspapers containing the Essays of Lucius, Valerius and Bellesarius which deserve your perusal and being represented in your Papers. Barney is arrivd with Dispatches. He left L'Orient the 17 Jany. He keeps strict silence and none of his Crew are allowd to come on shore. The Letters were all carried to Mr. Morris, from whom Congress have not yet receivd any intelligence. When his speculations are settled we shall be favord with the news. All these restraints upon public information and the engrossing all the Letters, are by his own orders, Congress knowing nothing of it; and I verily believe for the sole purpose of speculation. I was persuaded when his friends proposd the purchasing Barney's vessel and dispatching her under his direction, that it was for the same purpose. Thro' the whole war he has made his public trust subservient to his private Speculation, and has thereby become as rich as a Jew.

You wish to have some observations on the manners of this place. They are as little worthy of panygeric as an awkward imitation of the French can make them. Broke suddenly loose from the simplicity of quaker manners, dress and fashions and affecting the vanity, and nonsense, if nothing worse, of french parade, you may conceive they are more fit subjects of ridicule than of admiration. Mr. Morris, Mr. Bingham,1 Mr. Ross,2 and others, who have made large fortunes during this war, employ their wealth in a manner not very consistent with that unostentatious virtue which ought to animate our Infant republic. Extravagance, ostentation and dissipation distinguish what are calld the Ladies of the first rank. There are however exceptions, there being prudent, amiable and worthy persons of both Sexes. But the generality seem to be intoxicated with a sudden change of manners and unexpected elevation.

I had not time to finish this Letter, being occupyd by attending to the Dispatches. The preliminary Articles are well enough, but being conditiond on the conclusion of Peace with France, which I William Bingham (1751-1804). 2 John Ross (1726–1800).

seems to me not probable this year; we still remain dependent on the issue of this Campaign at least, which if very successful on the part of the Enemy may make them retract these conditions, and if ever so prosperous on the part of our Ally, we cannot hope for any thing better, as the latter seems more averse to our participation in the Fishery, and our possessing the western Country, than the English themselves are. We are placd in this uncomfortable situation, by the ambition of our Ally, And by the obligation our Alliance is supposd to have imposd upon us not to make Peace without their concurrence. My latest Letters give the most sanguine expectations of speedy peace. But from reasoning on all circumstances it appears to me at least very doubtful. I wish most sincerely that peace may take place, and give us an opportunity of arranging our governments and Finances and of paying our Debts.

I receivd the two Joes you was so good as to send me for interest; and am very much obligd to you for your attention to my Affairs. When peace will permit the travelling in the extreme parts of your State, and I am freed from Congress, I shall revisit you, and take a view of the Country where the grant to me may be located. In the mean time I trust to your goodness and care to have the location made as advantageously as possible.

Mr. J. Adams is so persuaded, that Peace is settled that he has desird leave to resign and return home. I am not of opinion that we can spare him yet. He and Mr. Jay have acted a spirited, independent, and therefore, in my judgment, a most laudable part; and will be necessary in Europe to counteract the treachery of old Franklin. I had drawn up a vote of thanks to Mr. Adams for the extraordinary Services he has renderd us in Holland; but upon sounding I found the jealousy which Dr. F's friends, after his example, entertain of any approbation bestowd upon another, being a censure upon him woud render the passage of it doubtful. It was therefore thought more prudent not to move it. There never I think existed a man more meanly envious and selfish than Dr. Franklin. The reason probably why it is not seen so as to make men dispise him is, that men in general listen much to professions, and look little to actions.

Mr. Adams has mentiond one mark of his tricking and selfish disposition. He obtaind a promise from Mr. Jay when at Madrid, to give his voice for appointing his Grandson W. T. Franklin, a young insignificant Boy as any in existence, to be Secretary to the Embassy for making Peace, who ought to be a person of consummate prudence, ability and worth. Upon this he appoints him to that office without consulting the other Commissioners. Thus while Govr. Franklin is planning our destruction in London, his father and Son, are entrusted with all our Secrets in Paris. If it shoud be said that the establishd character of the old man will justify such a confidence; the same cannot be urged in favor of the young one, who is yet to be tried and has no character at all.

I enclose you a Paper containing the preliminary Articles. With the most cordial remembrance of Mrs. Warren's politeness and very agreable conversation, I beg you will present to her my best respects. My Nephew T. Shippen is equally pleasd with the Society at Milton and desires his respects. Farewell.

A. LEE

JOHN ADAMS TO JAMES WARREN

PARIS, Decr. 15, 1782

DEAR SIR,This goes with the Preliminary Treaty between the Crown of G. Britain and the United States of America. it is not to be in force untill France and Great Britain shall agree and sign. When this will be is not yet known. it is supposd that the principal Points remaining are Spanish or Dutch.

The great Interests of our Country in the West and in the East are secured, as well as her Independence. St Croix is the Boundary against Nova Scotia. The Fisheries are very safe, the Missisippi and Western Lands to the middle of the great Lakes, are as well secured to Us as they could be by England. All these Advantages would not have been obtained if we had litterally pursued our Instructions, the Necessity of departing from which in some degree will I hope be our Excuse.