Annapolis, where Congress was then sitting, I
was present when General Reed was repeating to some half a
dozen of delegates, the old story of his refusal of the
commissioner's offer. Washington, who was within three yards
of him, turned away, and remarked to General Knox, "I know the
fellow well; he wanted but a price, and an opportunity, to
play us false as Arnold," and passed out of the room. There
was a general titter, and upon Reed's enquiring of General
Knox what it was that General W. had remarked, Knox replied,
"If you did not hear it, I advise you to follow the general,
and request him to repeat his observation." Reed was not a
fighting man. I do not say that he was a coward, but he was
always very careful of his person. His visit to England in
1784, I could never understand. His circumstances, just
before, were very much embarrassed, he had borrowed of all who
were willing to lend, and he paid nobody. Immediately upon his
return, he paid off all his debts, including one of three
thousand dollars to General Wayne, and commenced speculating
in real estate largly[TN], when he was taken ill and died.

I have given you very near all I have concerning this person.
I have anecdotes from others, of which I will inform you
hereafter; as also, the particulars of several conversations
which I had with Washington respecting him. I have always,
from principle, been opposed to making mischief; but I have
always, at the same time, been opposed to trickery and
unfounded pretensions. Why the survivors of the Revolution
have so long permitted General Reed's treachery and baseness
to be glossed over, and himself converted into a patriot, is
to me a mystery; but the veil must be raised at last, and I
know of no one more capable of performing the task than
yourself.

"Let me hear often from you--and always be assured that I am
sincerely your friend,

SAMUEL SMITH.

I will close my budget of "documents" as "_McDonough_" would call them, for
the present. When I open it again, the information to be drawn forth will
be even more definite than that just given, and possibly, even still less
palatable to Mr. Reed. He will pardon me for troubling him with two
questions: Among the papers left by your grandfather, did you ever come
across a copy of a very r