Arthur Lee to James Warren

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 inclosd 629 Dolls. of the one for forty emission of your State,

¹

& 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.

²

It gave me great pleasure to hear, that you & Mrs. Warren were settled so near Boston, & 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, has 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 & profited by his wickedness. Among these Dr. Franklin & Mr. R. Morris, are the most conspicuous. The latter was obligd to acknowledge in the Newspapers that he was in partnership with Mr. D. 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 & 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 & France, which is containd in his intercepted Letters, at Dr. F’s table, without any reprehension from the Doctr. Under all these suspicions, Dr. Franklin is appointed one of the Commissioners to negociate a peace, because France wills it; & Congress are complaisant enough to say - they trust in his zeal & integrity, God forgive them!

The Fishery, I am afraid, is the object & will be the sacrifice of this appointment. This question will come on in Congress, & 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, & I am most sure that Dr. Franklin will be the instrument of effecting it.

The members from your State, & 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.

Please to remember me to Mrs. Warren who I hope feels the benefit to her health & spirits, of better Society & a more healthy situation.

I have not time to write to our friend Mr. S. Adams, but be so good as to assure him that I remember him with unalterable respect & affection. Genl Ward, Mr. Otis, & all our worthy friends have my best wishes.

I am, with the truest esteem, Dear Sir, yr. most Obedt Servt,

A. Lee