world, one or two other gentlemen could be named, who, at
nearly the same time, heard expressions from you, which
created in them sentiments unfavourable to your character. You
seem to insinuate that there is an inconsistency in my
conduct, because I afterwards reposed a confidence in you, and
because I permitted General Washington to do the same. It
would have been very dangerous, at that critical period, to
have exposed your weakness and timidity to the militia, as
such an example might have been attended with the most fatal
consequences to our cause. And as your conduct, upon this
occasion, appeared to me to proceed from want of fortitude,
and not the baser motives,--and as from the observations I
made to you at the time, you seemed to resume more spirited
sentiments in conversation, as well as from political motives,
I continued to show an appearance of confidence, and concluded
it best not to mention it to the General. The successes that
soon followed gave a happy turn to our affairs, and thus, you,
(with many others,) appeared to possess firmness in prosperity
who had shown a want of it in times of imminent danger.

If your conduct in civil life had been such as could have been
approved of, former transactions might have been buried in
oblivion. But when I see a man endeavouring to injure the
reputation of those, whose principles and conduct, from the
beginning of the contest, have been uniformly exerted to
obtain those ends intended by the revolution; and when he
denies all merit to those who are not equally violent with
himself, it is difficult to be silent.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

_Philadelphia, 10th Sept., 1782._ JOHN CADWALADER.

General Reed.

_Philadelphia, Sept. 10, 1782._

SIR,--After waiting some time, and being just about to set off
for Bucks, I received your letter of this morning, and am at a
loss which to admire most, the depravity of your heart, or the
weakness of your understanding. Your quoting General Arnold's
testimony to vindicate your own falsehood is perfectly
consistent. You shall hear further from me on my return from
Bucks. In the mean time, I have made inquiry of Messrs. T.
Smith and Shippen, whom you mentioned to Mr. Ingersoll as
hearing from you sentim