Sir, Princeton July 23d. 1783 At the same time that forward my Brother's letter, I cannot forbear expressing the regret I felt, at being out of Philadelphia when your arrival there, might have given me an opportunity of conversing with a Gentleman, so high in the esteem of my nearest & dearest friends. We have happily reachd the goal of a great & doubtful contest; & our efforts have been crown'd with liberty & glory. But some difficulties remain, yet to be overcome, before we can enjoy in safety the fruits of peace & independence. One of those has compelled Congress to quit Philadelphia the source, in my judgment of all their embarrassmen of the thralldom they are held in, by one crafty, corrupting, & rapacious man, arose much from their residence in Philadelphia, & if any thing can rescue the finances of America from being converted to the pride & emolument of one man & his Dependants; [inserted: it must be the residence of Congress far from the influence of that pity] the People of America do not read the journals of Congress, or they woud not conceive if possible that so much power, so many places, & such corrupt patronage coud be vested in one man, whose principles [2] with regard to the Revolution, were at least questionable; & whose passion for power & money is known to be unbounded. The artful manner in which this accumulation of power & emolument has been at various times obtained, will fully prove both the subtlety & insatiableness of this man. Several members of Congress have been made his placemen since my residence in it; & if more appointments are given to Congress, they [strikeout] [inserted: may] be devolved upon the same person, & a corrupt influence establishd in every State. This consideration makes it necessary to be extremely cautious in yeilding such powers, because we know that the modern mode of enslaving the people, is nor force, but influence. I have very great doubts of the good policy of expressing such an unforgiving spirit with regard to the Refugees. Because I think it will most effectually answer their purposes & those of our worst Enemy the King of England For in proportion to our persecution of them with the compassion of the English be excited towards them, & a more ample provision obtained, and the more will it people a neibouring Colony with men inderd a thousand times more inveterate against us, by the enmity we declare against them. I cannot therefore think it wise, especially, in the Eastern States, to enable the [3] british King to plant a Colony which will always be a thorn, I may eventually prove a poisoned arrow for our distruction. It is certain the Refugees deserve no favor from us, and it is for that reason that I see with concern such measures taken, as, I think must especially operate in their favor, & by combining them together in one common cause Institution, increase their strength & immortalize their enmity. With very great esteem, I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedt. Servt. Arthur Lee [docket] Arthur Lee Esqr answered 1783