_Philadelphia, 12th Sept., 1782._ JOHN CADWALADER.
SIR,--Mr. Clymer delivered me your letter of the 12th instant.
Your sudden departure from this city was indeed
unexpected,--your declaration to Mr. Ingersoll not implying it
to be so very soon;[E] and I should 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.