In relation to this matter, we received through the Post-Office this
morning, the following explanation from Valley Forge.
"Mr. WHITNEY:--I am unable to express my mortification at the
unhappy and unexpected accident which has prevented my meeting
the Messrs. Reed and Mr. John Spear Smith this evening, at the
time and place appointed by them, for the purpose of having
tested the authenticity of General Samuel Smith's letters to
Colonel ----, Col. ---- is my near relative, and though in his
ninety-third year, has till last Thursday, enjoyed the most
excellent health for one of so advanced an age. As he will not
permit the originals to be taken out his sight, I intended of
course that he should accompany me as one of my three friends.
His sudden and severe illness has rendered this impossible; he
refuses to part with the documents even for a temporary
purpose, and I have thus been compelled to submit for the
present to this most mortifying piece of ill-fortune.
No doubt the exultation of the Messrs. Reed will be violent,
but let me say to them, it will be but short-lived. But a
brief time will pass, and all the papers which I have
published, and many more which are yet to come, will be fully
proved and laid before the public. When Colonel ----'s health
is restored, I do not doubt that I shall prevail upon him to
place them in my hands, when I shall see Mr. John Spear Smith
with them at Baltimore and have the Messrs. Reed see them
here.