"Monday, February 14. 1814.
"Before I left town yesterday, I wrote you a note, which I presume
you received. I have heard so many different accounts of _your_
proceedings, or rather of those of others towards _you_, in
consequence of the publication of these everlasting lines, that I
am anxious to hear from yourself the real state of the case.
Whatever responsibility, obloquy, or effect is to arise from the
publication, should surely _not_ fall upon you in any degree; and I
can have no objection to your stating, as distinctly and publicly
as you please, _your_ unwillingness to publish them, and my own
obstinacy upon the subject. Take any course you please to vindicate
_yourself_, but leave me to fight my own way; and, as I before
said, do not _compromise_ me by any thing which may look like
_shrinking_ on my part; as for your own, make the best of it.
Yours, BN."
* * * * *