Page:Charles Lee Papers 1873 Vol 3.djvu/338

manner on a variety of subjects — concerning your interests and my own — but as I had reason to believe one or two of your letters had been intercepted, I did not chuse to communicate my sentiments by the Common Post — I have waited therefore for some other means — and I should wait longer, but as I shall set out for Virginia in a few days ; as no other means do pre- sent themselves, and above all as there is such a visible revolution in the minds of men on certain subjects — I am determin'd to delay it no longer — by a revolution in the minds of men, I mean that our Great Gargantua, or Lama Babak (for I know not which Title is the properest) begins to be no longer consider'd as an infallible Divinity — and that those who have been sacrific'd or near sacrific'd on his altar, begin to be esteem'd as wantonly and foolishly offer'd up — so that in fact it matters not much (nay I cou'd almost wish that it shou'd happen) if what I now throw upon Paper shou'd be read by all the Serjeants, Corporals Committee Men and Waggoners betwixt this place and Boston. I shall begin by Confessing that I live (and wish to live) on good terms with two men with whom you (my dearest friend) are at daggers drawn — Arnold, and Wilkinson — the former has been so cruelly wantonly and I think wickedly persecuted by the President of this abominable State and a Banditti of ignorant obsequious mercenary Clowns his Satellites call'd the Council of State, that altho' I am totally unacquainted with Mr. Arnold's merits or demerits I cou'd not help pitying him, and Pity, as you know, melts the Mind to Love — on this Principle, and on this principle only, I am Arnold's Friend and I perswade myself, not incompatibly, with the sincere love and regard I have for you — With respect to the latter, Wilkinson ; I really think that He has been a Man, more sinn'd against than sinning. I think (at least from all I have been able to gather) that he as well as your Honor, has been made a most egregious Dupe in the affair betwixt you — it is a dark, black piece of busyness and I have no doubt will one