Page:The American Cyclopædia (1879) Volume X.djvu/303

ARTHUR LEE 297 commenced a warm friendship never afterward interrupted. This was a matter of some im- portance to Lee, inasmuch as the relations between him and Franklin were by no means amicable, and indeed soon became openly in- imical. During the years 1778 and 1779 Lee continued in active employment, urging upon Spain and Holland the interests of America, and corresponding with the court of Prussia. He also acted as agent for Virginia in negotia- ting supplies of arms and stores. But a singu- lar reward for his long devotion to the cause of America was about to be bestowed upon him. In the latter part of 1779 it became ex- pedient to appoint a minister plenipotentiary to the court of Spain, and one or more com- missioners to negotiate the proposed treaty of peace with England. Lee was nominated, but left out of both appointments. This affront was due to the machinations of his enemies. His colleague Deane on returning to the United States had published an address, in which he spoke of Lee in the grossest terms, and charged him with obstructing the alliance with France and disclosing the secrets of congress to British noblemen. The subordinate agents of Amer- ica in Europe, employed to conduct the com- mercial details of public affairs, united also to attack Lee, whose vigilant eyes had detected and exposed their peculations. Through their correspondents in America they disseminated vague calumnies against him, and so persever- ing were their assaults that they ended by producing a strong effect upon the public mind, and even in shaping the action of congress. When Lee heard of his rejection by that body, he immediately resigned all his appointments, and in August, 1780, sailed for America, to de- mand an inquiry into his official conduct. He was received at Boston with indications of the highest esteem and respect ; and these evi- dences of public regard were displayed every- where on his journey to Philadelphia. He had prepared an elaborate report of his entire official proceedings as the agent of the United States, exposing the calumnies circulated against him, and now demanded of congress an oppor- tunity to vindicate himself. His opponents, however, remained silent. It was no part of their plan to make an open accusation against him. The revulsion in Lee's favor seems to have been complete, for congress declared that no charge had ever been entertained against him, and that they had never intended to fix censure upon any portion of his public conduct. As a mark of their confidence, he was requested to lay before them his views, and the information which he possessed, upon foreign affairs. This was done, and Lee added a strict account of all the moneys received or disbursed by him for congress or the state of Virginia ; and further published "Extracts from a Letter to Con- gress, in answer to a Libel by Silas Deane." He then returned to his native state, but was not permitted to remain in retirement. In the spring of 1781 he was elected from the county of Prince William a delegate to the general assembly. He was a landholder in the county, but did not reside there, and an election under these circumstances has always indicated in Virginia extended public confidence. The as- sembly appointed him a delegate to congress, and in that body he served from February, 1782, till 1785. Like his brothers, with the single exception of Richard Henry, he was an indifferent speaker, but took a large share in the business of the body. In 1784 he was ap- pointed by congress one of the commissioners to conclude a treaty with the Indians on the N". W. frontier, and prepared a valuable ac- count of the character of the country through which he passed. Lafayette accompanied the expedition, and assisted it by his name and advice. Lee remained with his associates at Fort Stanwix throughout the winter, and trea- ties were concluded to the satisfaction of con- gress and the country. On his return he was appointed to the board of treasury with Samuel Osgood and Walter Livingston, in which he continued from 1784 to 1789. In 1786 he was chosen by the general assembly of Virginia one of the commissioners to revise the laws of the commonwealth, and aided greatly in that task. When the board of treasury was dis- solved in 1789, he retired finally from public employment, and, purchasing an estate in Mid- dlesex county, applied himself to agricultural pursuits. He continued however to take an, interest in politics, and "solemnly investi- gated " the character of the new federal con- stitution. He regarded the original instrument with jealousy and dislike, as too strongly tend- ing toward consolidation ; but the subsequent amendments greatly changed his opinion of it. During his latter years he carried on an ex- tensive and interesting correspondence with many of the distinguished personages with whom his official career had thrown him in contact. Among these were Burke, Col. Barr6, Wyndham, Sir William Jones, the marquis of Lansdowne, and the earl of Buchan ; and on the continent, the baron de Breteuil, the abbe Raynal, the duke de la Rochefoucauld, and others. He also corresponded with many per- sons of literary and political eminence in the United States. This correspondence has been published, and is highly interesting. He was devoted to the improvement of the grounds around his hospitable mansion, and in planting an orchard contracted a pleurisy which proved fatal. The career of Arthur Lee was one of the most important and useful to his country which the history of that day records. The transient cloud which rested upon his name, from the machinations of those whose pecula- tions of the public money, he had exposed, soon passed away without effort upon his part ; and when he retired from public affairs, he carried with him the respect and confidence of the best and most celebrated men of his epoch. His face was striking and handsome, his eyes blue and brilliant, and his person pleasing.