in another he says.
"I cannot answer your inquiry about Captain Anderson. I knew
several officers of that name, but can recal nothing
particular concerning any of them. I once received a letter
from a person some where in the State of Delaware, calling
himself Henry Anderson, inquiring about his uncle Captain
Anderson, of the Revolutionary army, but I have not retained,
or mislaid the letter, and cannot call to mind his more
particular address. But even this defective information may
serve to put you on the scent.
"Your son will tell you much for me that I would otherwise
write. My rheumatism has prevented my showing him as much of
the civilities of our town as I would have liked, but you will
excuse me.
"Most truly and sincerely,
"your old friend,
"SAMUEL SMITH.
From among the accompaniments of this letter transmitted by Col. Smith, I
select, for incorporation in the present article, the following
correspondence between General Anthony Wayne and General Joseph Reed. The
"_Numbers_" with which they are prefixed appear to be of General Wayne's
own addition.
No. 1.
GEN. A. WAYNE,
My Dear General--
Only the day before yesterday I heard of your being here, and
then but by accident, or I should have addressed you upon the
subject of this communication. For several months there has
been a rumor industriously circulated in this city, that
during the last summer, you stated while in "South Carolina,"
in the presence of General Greene and other officers, that my
conduct at the battles of Brandywine and Monmouth had
subjected me to the imputation of timidity. It is added that
you referred disparagingly to circumstances which occurred at
_Valley Forge_, and revived the exploded calumny, for the
truth of which you personally vouched, that I had signified my
acceptance of the terms then offered me by the Commissioners,
which you know that I spurned with scorn.
Of course you will understand me to be satisfied that you
never did use any language of the kind, but, as these remarks
have been propogated by persons who, I have every reason to
believe, are no less your enemies than mine. I am anxious to
afford you an opportunity for thei
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