The trunk that is the subject of this letter was coming to resemble Pandora’s box. Thomas Morris had jumbled his papers as he had jumbled his two roles, as agent for the secret committee and for Willing & Morris. The commissioners were interested only in his public papers, but the official order that Lee took to Nantes was for the whole lot. The original arrangement, therefore, was that he should sort them and deliver the private papers to John Ross.8 The arrangement broke down, because Ross and Lee promptly locked horns.9 Lee opened the trunk and examined its contents, and then in the presence of witnesses and a local official had it locked and sealed and brought to Paris.1 The furor that it aroused may seem excessive. But no one knew its contents until Lee opened it, and then only he knew. This is precisely what Ross had been trying to prevent. He thoroughly distrusted the man, and feared what gossip he might spread, particularly against Deane.2 Others shared his apprehension, as will be seen; now that Pandora’s box was sealed, it remained so.