84 CHARLES LEE 



ministry on the one hand, and Howe and Washington 

 on the other, until at length, in December, 1777, 

 Howe was instructed to consider Lee a prisoner of 

 war, and subject to exchange as such whenever con- 

 venient. 



During this interval, while his -fate was in suspense, 

 the prisoner was busy in operations on his own ac- 

 count. First he assured the brothers Howe that he 

 was opposed to the Declaration of Independence ; that 

 " if the Americans had followed his advice, matters 

 could never have gone to such a length ; " 1 and even 

 now he hoped, if he could only obtain an interview 

 with a committee from Congress, to be able to open 

 negotiations for an honourable and satisfactory adjust- 

 ment of all existing difficulties. The Howes, who 

 were well disposed toward the Americans and sin- 

 cerely anxious for peace, allowed him to ask for the 

 interview; but Congress refused to grant it. Lee's 

 extraordinary conduct before his capture had some- 

 what injured his reputation, and there were vague sus- 

 picions, though no one knew exactly what to suspect 

 him of. These doubts affected the soundness of his 

 judgment rather than of his character. His behaviour 

 was considered wayward and eccentric, but was not 

 seen to be treacherous. The worst that was now sup- 

 posed about him was that he had suffered himself to 

 be hoodwinked by the Howes into requesting a con- 

 ference that could answer no good purpose. If the 

 truth had only been known, how sorely would all good 

 people have been astonished ! No sooner was the 

 conference refused than the wretch went over to the 

 enemy, and sought to curry favour with the Howes by 



1 Moore, p. 83. 



