Page:Charles Lee Papers 1873 Vol 3.djvu/284
THE LEE PAPERS. 265
from the direct opposites to those qualities, virtues, and principles, without which it is impossible that the mode of government established should be supported for the tenth part of a century. These, I assert, are now the proper objects of our apprehensions, and not any real or supposed excellence in the armies of Great Britain, who has infinitely more reason to fear for her own independence, than to hope for the subjugation of yours. General Clinton's letter, which has just appeared,* has so wonderful an accord with the above essay, that I make no doubt but that some acute gentleman may, insinuate that it furnished the hint : but I can appeal to more than fifty gentlemen of this city, or officers of the army, to whom it was read, previous to the publication of General Clinton's letter, whether a single syllable has been added or varied, the conclusion of the postscript excepted, which has no reference to the affair of Monmouth.
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A Short History of the Treatment of Major General Conway, late in the Service of America.
Philadelphia, December 3, 1778. On Monday the 23d of November last, the honourable Major General Conway set out from this city, on his return to France. The history of the treatment this gentleman has received, is so singular that it must make a figure in the anecdotes of mankind. He was born in Ireland, but at the age of six was carried into France ; was bred up from his infancy to the profession of arms ; and, it is universally allowed, by the gentlemen of that nation, that he has, in their service, the reputation of being what is styled un tres brave major d'infanterie, which is no small character. It implies, if I comprehend the term right, a man possessed of all the requisite
[*Sir Henry Clinton's despatch (ante : Vol. II. page 461) was published in the Pennsylvania Packet, November 26, 1778; in the New Jersey Gazette, December 2, 1778.]