CHAPTER IX.

Ir was thought to be due to the memory and reputation of Mr. Lee, to give a sketch of his services and labours in the Continental Congress, during the most difficult and gloomy periods of the revolutionary struggle. These have been undervalued in the present age. To enable the reader to estimate his character, he has been introduced with Mr. Lee, into the hall of legislation, and led with him to the business of committees. He has been asked to contemplate him as a statesman, and a man of business, because it seemed meet and just, that a republic, whose foundation he so ably and successfully laboured to lay firmly on the solid basis of liberty, knowledge and virtue; should possess an authentic and connected memorial of the life and character and labours of one of its most useful citizens.

During the sessions of 1774-5-6-7-8, Mr. Lee was at the head, or a member of every military and naval committee. The remark is equally applicable to nearly every committee on finance and foreign affairs. Besides serving on many others, which have been omitted, he was, during the sessions of 1774-5, a member of fourteen committees to draw papers; five about military matters; and nine about miscellaneous affairs. In the session of 1776, he was on two committees to draw papers, fifteen on military and naval concerns, and thirteen on miscellaneous matters in the session of 1777; he was on two committees to draw papers, twelve on military and naval, and twenty on miscellaneous subjects in the session of 1778, he was a member of four committees to draw papers, thirteen military and naval, and twenty miscellaneous. During the three last ses

sions, he had been absent, in consequence of ill health, from one to three months. It is believed that his labours were not confined to those subjects, which had been referred to his consideration, for the author remembers to have heard a gentleman of the highest respectability, repeat a conversation between Dr. Shippen, of Philadelphia, in whose house Mr. Lee lodged, while he was a member of Congress, in which the doctor observed, "that there was a constant procession of members repairing to his chamber, to consult about their reports." He was the author of many of the publications of the Old Congress, from some of the most important their addresses, down to the commission of their military chief.

of

A few days after Mr. Lee reached home, he received a letter from General Whipple, a delegate from New Hampshire, and a leading man in that state. It is pleasant, amid war and business, to observe the warm and social feelings of private life. It was, no doubt, grateful to Mr. Lee, to be thus cherished in the esteem and respect of virtuous men, from every part of the country.

"PHILADELPHIA, 8th November, 1778.

MY DEAR SIR-On my arrival here, the fourth instant, I had the pleasure of receiving your favour of the 31st ultimo, at the hand of our mutual friend, Mr. Adams. I esteem myself highly obliged by this token of your remembrance, but should have been much happier to have seen you here.

May I hope that my loss may be made up by frequetly hearing from you, which I flatter myself your retirement will afford you opportunities of gratifying me in.

You may be assured my attention will be much engaged in marine matters, and it will afford me particular satisfaction to co-operate with you in that business when you return here, which it is my sincere wish your business may speedily admit of.

I left Mr. Langdon very well on the twentieth October. He very particularly desired his respects to you. Please

make my most respectful compliments to your good lady, who, I hope, will so far retract her promise, as to give me an opportunity (when peace is happily established) to introduce her to such persons in Portsmouth as will be very happy in having an opportunity of making a visit to that country agreeable to her.

I have taken up my quarters at Liberty Hall, where you know there is a set well agreed in political sentiments, and I think I may say with great certainty, that they are as well agreed in sentiments of esteem and respect for you. I anticipate the pleasure of some long winter evening, when, with a social pipe and a friendly glass, we shall call to mind our worthy friend, and heartily join in wishing he may be soon added to our little circle.

I have nothing new at present to give you. Whenever any thing happens that I think will give you pleasure, be assured that it will be a double pleasure to me to communicate it.

I am, dear sir, with the utmost sincerity, most respectfully your's, &c.

WILLIAM WHIPPLE."

Mr. Lee did not remain long at home. He returned to Philadelphia on the twentieth of February, 1779, and as he had formerly been, so he was again, immediately engaged on the committees of Congress. This will be seen by reference to the Journal, from page 71 of the fifth volume, to page 124.

During Mr. Lee's absence, in the months of December and January, Congress had received very important communications from Arthur Lee, Esq. commissioner to the court of Madrid, in which he informed it of the views and disposition of his Catholic Majesty towards the United States. A memorial from the minister of France had been presented to Congress on the ninth of February, and a private audience had been given to him on the fifteenth. The letters of Arthur Lee, Esq. and the memorial of the French minister, had been referred

VOL. I.-E e

to a committee, who reported on the twenty-third instant, "That upon consideration of all the matters referred to them, they are of opinion, that his Catholic majesty is disposed to enter into an alliance with the United States of America: that he has manifested this disposition by a decisive declaration lately made to the Court of Great Britain. That in consequence of such declaration, the independence of the United States must be finally acknowledged by Great Britain; and that immediately thereon a negotiation for peace will be set on foot between the powers of France, Great Britain, and these United States, under the mediation of his Catholic Majesty; or that Spain will take part in the war, and his Catholic Majesty will unite his power with the most Christian King, and the United States." This committee also reported instructions which seemed proper to be given to our ministers, in the event of a negotiation for peace between the three powers. It divided the instructions into two heads. "1st. What to insist on as the ultimatum of these states." "2d. What to yield or require on terms of mutual exchange and compensation." The acknowledgment of the independence of the United States was to be a preliminary to all treaty. The next point to be insisted upon was the boundaries of the United States, according to certain limits. The third point was in these words; "That a right of fishing and curing fish, on the banks and coasts of the island of New Foundland, equally with the subjects of France and England, be reserved, acknowledged, and ratified to the subjects of the United States." The fourth was in these words: "That the navigation of the river Mississippi, as low down as the southern boundary of the United States, be acknowledged and ratified absolutely to the subjects of the United States."*

The two last clauses, the reader will perceive, brought into view subjects of vital importance; subjects which in '79, and in our own times, have occupied the atten

* See the secret Journals, volume second, p. 132, &c. .

tion of American politicians, and deeply interested the American people. Mr. Lee, as it will be seen from his votes in Congress, and from his correspondence with his cotemporaries in '79, viewed those subjects with the mind of a statesman, and legislated upon them in the spirit of a firm and enlightened policy. The interest of the east, the future grandeur of the west, had already dawned upon his vision. The interest and prosperity of both were alike the objects of his care.

The report of the committee was referred to a committee of the whole. After several days of debate upon it, the chairman of the committee, F. L. Lee, Esq. reported to the House several resolutions. On the twenty-second of March, the third resolution reported by the committee of the whole was taken up. It was in the following words: "that a common right in these states to fish on the coast, bays and banks of New Foundland, and the Gulf of St. Lawrence, coast of Labrador, and straits of Bellisle, be acknowledged, and in case of refusal, that the war be continued unless the circumstances of our allies be such as to render them entirely unable to assist in the prosecution of the war, in which case, as ample privileges in the fisheries be insisted on as can possibly be obtained that in case Great Britain should not be prevailed on to cede or declare Nova Scotia independent, the privilege of curing fish on the shores and in the harbours of Nova Scotia be required."* In lieu of this clause Mr. G. Morris moved a substitute in the following words: "That an acknowledgment be made by Great Britain, of a common right in these states to fish on the coasts, bays and banks of Nova Scotia, the banks of New Foundland and Gulf of St. Lawrence, the coasts of Labrador and straits of Bellisle, and a stipulation for the right of curing fish on the shores of Nova Scotia. Provided always, that the allies of these states shall be in circumstances to support them in carrying on the war for such

See secret Journal p. 137-8-9 and 140-1.