Arthur Lee to the Earl of Shelburne

Among the blessings of peace I number that of being able to renew my correspondence with a nobleman I so much respect and esteem. For that peace, honourable to America, and as much so in my judgment for England as the actual situation of things could give any colour of reason to expect, your country and America are indebted to your lordship's wisdom and firmness.

Upon my word, my lord, did I not know so much of the politics of St. James' and St. Stephens', I should be lost in wonder at the vote in the house of commons and the treatment your lordship has received.

¹

But I shall never forget Lord Chatham's expression, 'I was duped and deceived.' The outrageous wickedness of visiting upon your conclusion of the war, the evils which the folly of its commencement, and the rapacity, cruelty and profusion of the conduct of it produced, sprung from the same source with the deception practised upon Lord Chatham, which he so emphatically detailed in the house of peers.

I always judged that the author of those measures, who cannot be said to cover himself with the majesty of darkness, though he meant the subjugation of America, would in fact conduct her to independence. I judged, too, that he would in the end, bring himself to ruin. Nothing, surely, can more accelerate this event, than introducing again into high office the ostensible minister of those pernicious measures. For as to his whig colleagues, their reign is short; and their fall will assuredly be unpitied.

Of the people of England, on whom in fact the salvation of their country depends, it may he said, that "aliquando redit in percordia virtus."

²

They have given some proofs of this; and perhaps the last one will bring due punishment upon the author of their near approach to humiliation and ruin; an humiliation and ruin which, had not your lordship interposed, would at this moment have been consummated.

I have flattered myself that your lordship has felt some anxiety about my situation, under the various attacks that have been made upon me. They all originated with the minister,

³ whose politics so much overshot themselves in the late negotiation for peace, and who was determined on my removal, as one who could not be bent to his purposes. He found, however, my successor⁴

stubborn; and this country owes immortal gratitude to that gentleman's firmness, spirit and integrity.

Yet an attempt was made to sacrifice him, for this very service; and I had the pleasure of defending him against those men, with whom he cooperated in effecting my removal. I am now elected into congress, for the third and last year I am capable of sitting there, by the confederation. I shall then retire into private life, with the satisfaction of dwelling under that constitution which I have laboured to assist in rearing to liberty, virtue and public happiness.

But I am afraid politicians have been too sanguine in their expectations from systems of government. Corruption and intrigue seem inseparable from them all; and these are promoted or restrained more by the genius of the people, than by forms of government, or the operation of laws. Indeed it does not seem so unwise now, as it once did, in Mr. Pope, to say,

"For forms of government let fools contest;

That which is best administer'd, is best."

⁵

Nor would I promise that a little more experience will not make me a convert to his opinions.

You used to say, my lord, that you would send Lord Fitzmaurice to make the tour of America. Such a tour, I conceive, would be both interesting and instructive. Nature has displayed her powers in the sublime and beautiful far more in America than in Europe, and the progress of art, considering the time it has had to operate, is astonishing. I shall next year be at liberty to accompany Lord Fitzmaurice in such a tour, and should take a vast deal of pleasure in doing it.

I have the honour to be, with profound respect and regard,

your obedient servant,

Arthur Lee.⁶