SIR: I have received your communication of the 13th instant. Before you
could have been entitled to the information you have asked of me, you
should have given up the name of your informer. That frankness which
ought to characterize our profession required it. I shall not, however,
refuse to answer you on that account, but shall be as candid in my
communication to you as your letter or the case will warrant.
Whatever I may have _thought, or said, in the very frequent and free
conversation I have had respecting you and your conduct_, I feel a
thorough conviction that I never could have been guilty of so much
egotism as to say that "_I_ could insult you" (or any other man) "with
impunity."
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
STEPHEN DECATUR.
To Commodore JAMES BARRON,
_Hampton, Virginia_.
* * * * *
No. 3.