he last asylum of liberty, Lee signed himself
with the greatest sincerity and affection.

The letter was written before Bunker Hill, but not answered until the
8th of July. In his reply, Burgoyne hinted, with references to Locke,
Charles the First, and James the Second, that he was equally well
grounded in the principles of liberty. He urged Lee to lay his hand upon
his heart, and say whether the Americans wanted freedom from taxation or
independency. He, Burgoyne, with the army and fleet, and the king
himself, was actuated only by the desire to maintain the laws. Then,
having letters from England which were to be delivered into Lee's own
hands, Burgoyne proposed a personal interview at the lines on Boston
Neck, and sent the compliments of Howe, Clinton, and Percy.

It must be admitted that Burgoyne's purpose in this proposal was quite
other than to deliver letters, or even to argue upon political
differences. In a letter to Lord North Burgoyne explained his real
purpose in entering into correspondence with a rebel. In the proposed
interview he would have cut Lee short in his paltry jargon, and pressed
upon him the real facts in the case. Next he would have shown him the
glory accruing to a successful mediator, and then, playing upon his
pride, his interest, and his ambition, would have suggested a return to
his allegiance. Burgoyne supposed that the reference to a mediator would
have brought to Lee the memory of General Monk, and would have flattered
him with the same intention to restore the state.

There is upon this plan of Burgoyne's but one comment to be made, and
that has been clearly stated by his own biographer. "If an American
General could have been found base enough to purchase his restoration to
the favour of his late Sovereign by gross treachery to his adopted
country, an English General should surely not have thought it worthy of
his character and position to bribe him to such an act."[121]

Lee was not caught in the trap, though perhaps not owing to his own
caution. Burgoyne's letter was laid before the Provincial Congress,
which forbade the meeting. In a brief letter Lee explained that it was
feared that the interview might create jealousies and suspicions.
Burgoyne caught at this statement as showing, in the American staff,
dissensions fruitful of future results; but the hope was never
justified. Lee's future share in the siege faded into insignificance,
and his damage to the American cause was not