roars of laughter from all present. General Reed left the
spot, remarking, "you shall hear from me shortly;" to which
Lee replied, "I doubt that." Nothing further ever came of it.

Conway and Reed were decidedly the two most unpopular men in
the army--with this difference, that Conway, though disliked,
was respected, until his calumnies of Washington were carried
to their extent. Of Conway's duel with General Cadwalader I
have no particulars which you do not possess. Conway became
nearly involved in another duel on Reed's account. He took up
a quarrel of Reed's but it was compromised. Reed was publicly
insulted, and submitted like a boarding-school miss. My
sentiments on some subjects have changed with my advancing
years; but I well remember the surprise which I felt, and
which the whole army expressed, that a soldier, and one
wearing epaulettes, should patiently submit to the epithet of
"liar," and a threat of having his nose pulled. It may have
been a conscientious scruple; but he did not hesitate to get
others into difficulties.

In 1783 or '84, I had business which called me to Alexandria.
To my delight, I met General Washington there, and he insisted
upon my accompanying him home. The weather was wet and cold,
and, for a wonder, as he expressed himself, he was without
visiters but me. I remained at Mount Vernon several days and
had many and long conversations with the General. While there,
one of his newspapers mentioned the return of General Reed
from England, in feeble health; and this induced a
conversation concerning that person. I reminded the General of
the coolness with which I had seen him treat Reed at the final
leave-taking of his officers; and of the remark I had
afterwards heard him make at Annapolis. The particulars I gave
you in my letter from the Senate. General Washington rose,
stamped his foot somewhat violently; then instantly checking
himself, he paced the room slowly, speaking while he walked. I
remember every thing he said as plainly as if it had been
spoken only yesterday. He stated to me, that he had no doubt
that General Reed had long been in treaty with the British
before the arrival of their Commissioners in Philadelphia in
1778; and that, after the treaty of peace, in 1783, he
received information, which placed it beyond question, that