The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-08-22
A CENTURY OLD.
Interesting Criticism of BENZ. Franklin.
the little Booksellers" Eminent
Services as a Peace Maker at
Paris in 1899.

Just one hundred years ago today, on Aug
ust END, 1882, VIM. Lee, one OF the distin-
guished Lee family of Virginia, the members OF
which rendered such eminent service to the
American cause during the revolutionary strug
gle, wrote from Brussels to his Industrious
brother, Richard Henry Lee, letter, OF when
an abstract of the most interesting portions Is
printed below. At that time Benjamin FRANK
lin was ambassador to France, and was Win
the able assistance of Adams and Jay, endeav-
o-inslo effect treaty of peace with Great Brit
ain. The most careless reader of history will
recall with what success their efforts were fin
ally attended. The writer of the letter how
ever evidently allowed his personal prejudice
to DR.. Franklin to override his patriotism to
some extent, as will appear in the interesting
extracts given from the letter, which are as
follows:
BRUxELLEs, p Aug't, 1852.
My Dr. Br.
I can't let SO good an opportunity go as Mr..
Laurens leaves Europe without word or two,
altho have written to you very often this
summer and in all my letters given you my
opinion, particularly in one by a vessel from
this Country bound directly to the Chesapeakes
that we shou'd not have Peace this year, and
udfo SUlll my DUuUt6s VIZ We aLO ocouh u pOoh
from London and Paris that the English are So
rious in the negotiations they are now carrying
on for that object at Paris, because l ann told
that their minister there is not yet authorized
to treat with America as an Independent Pow
er, which is the first indispensable measure to
be agreed on now, before any serious or eHec-
tual negotiations can take place. therefore IL
is incumbent on America to provide for the
worst, and particularly in Virginia. for you
may be assured, that if the war is recommend
i IAk&~ SSxaAd in
closet to make the Chesapeake the great scene
of action.
When Mr.. Jay first arrived at P. from Ma
drid he was recelv d most cordially BY Doct.
Franklin, but it is imagin'd that things are
Fl stter,g advances to Mr.. A. at the Hague,
who qraciously admits to his smiles the refuse
of the Doctors retainers, q such as inc
thinks may be made useful instruments to &C.
complish his particular views. -
The Doctor still continues g ever Will CON
Time the little Bookseller He has lately dis
graced ANA. and is probably the true cause OF
the Br, ministry having continued TO Urine
even to this day abt. the formal acknoWleag-
MT of Ann. Independence. Forgottlng tnae
he is the representative OF . Great recpae, 10
has demeandd his constituents BY treaSng
hitherto abt. the great business OF Feace &c,
with Mr.. Oswald, an obscure Scotch Merch't
& Mr.. Vaughan, a young man, tne son Oh q
Ship Broker in London, who are not authoriz-
ed Agents, but rather kind OF
for the Br. Ministry. ),
These mon might be proper to treat with j, Or.
f. as printer and pamphlet seller IN fnlia.
abt the price of paper, ink. &C., but SD ely II
is disgraceful to suffer such characters to treat
with him as Minister of Congress on the hlgn
Political concerns of a respectable nation.
The public occurrences in Europe are not
worth mentioning. Nothing has been done IN
the Military way on either side but wasting an
immensely Of money in equipping useless fleets
& before Gibraltar, which still remain IN stata
quo with very small sickly garrison WITHIN
& abt. 10000 inimical troops without.
the same to all your dear Family & with ten
Observation-Disclosures of all our Relations, re-
main my Dear Br most sincerely q anect ~
- W. L.
The letter is addressed
Richard Henry Lee, Esq.,,
at Chantilly, Wsstmoreiand
County Potomac River,
Virginia.
and is in excellent condition.
\ kA