d have supposed that my
letter of the 10th, would have some weight to protract your
journey. Before I received yours of the 10th, I had prepared a
small publication, which the receipt of your letter did not
influence me to alter or delay; as no signature could change
the nature of things, and make falsehood truth, or truth
falsehood. Having there declared the insinuation in Oswald's
paper of the 7th instant to be false, I now apply the same
epithet to your avowal of them; and am sorry, though not
surprised, that your violence of temper should have occasioned
such a deviation from the line of veracity so essential to the
character of a gentleman.

I am already possessed of sundry authentic documents; a few
days will complete them,--not to show my innocence,--the
improbability of your charge, and inconsistency of your own
conduct, making that unnecessary; but to show to what lengths
a rancorous heart, puffed up by sudden and accidental wealth,
can push a man of weak judgment and ungovernable passions.

I need not give you my address, though I think it incumbent on
me to assure you, that if by investigation you mean a personal
interview, I will endeavour to make it as convenient as
possible, and will shorten the distance between us.

I am, sir, your obedient humble servant,

_Philadelphia, 23d Sept., 1782._ JOSEPH REED.

General Cadwalader.

_Maryland, 30th September, 1782._

SIR,--I received yours of the 23d inst. by the post. From the
style of your first letter, (9th Sept.) in which you required
an "immediate answer," I fully expected an immediate
interview. As you declined the interview I proposed through
Mr. Ingersoll, and left town the next morning, without saying
when you proposed returning, and having determined not to
"alter or delay" the "small publication," which you "had
prepared before the receipt of my first letter,"--I am at a
loss to know what could have occasioned your surprise at my
departure, before your return from Bucks. After having
promised to the public the most satisfactory proofs, that no
such conversation as alluded to in the queries ever passed, it
was reasonable to allow you some time to prepare your
"authentic document." Your last letter (23d Sept) informs that
they were not