Philadelphia, March 5, 1783.
Sir:
I had the honor of writing to your Excellency lately on a very
confidential subject, and shall be anxious to know, as soon as
convenient, whether the letter got safe to hand.
The bearer, Shattuck, thinks he can point out means of apprehending
Wells and Knowlton, the two persons whom your Excellency was authorized
to have taken into custody. I have desired him to call upon you to
disclose the plan.
I will not trouble your Excellency with any observation on the
importance of getting hold of those persons.
The surmise that Mr. Arnold, a member of Congress, gave intelligence to
them of the design to take them, makes it peculiarly important.
I have the honor to be,
Your Excellency’s most ob’t serv’t,
A. Hamilton.
To His Excellency General Washington.