"_Gloucester Lodge, April 10, 1818._
"SIR,--I received early in the last week the copy of your
pamphlet, which you (I take for granted) had the attention to
send to me.
"Soon after I was informed, on the authority of your
publisher, that you had withdrawn the whole impression from
him, with a view (as was supposed) of suppressing the
publication.
"I since learn, however, that the pamphlet, though not sold,
is circulated under blank covers.
"I learn this from (among others) the gentleman to whom the
pamphlet has been industriously attributed, but who has
voluntarily and absolutely denied to me that he has any
knowledge of it or its author.
"To you, sir, whoever you may be, I address myself thus
directly, for the purpose of expressing to you my opinion,
that,
"You are a liar and a slanderer, and want courage only to be
an assassin.
"I have only to add, that no man knows of my writing to you;
that I shall maintain the same reserve so long as I have an
expectation of hearing from you in your own name; and that I
shall not give up that expectation till to-morrow (Saturday)
night.
"The same address which brought me your pamphlet will bring
any letter safe to my hands.
"I am, sir, your humble servant,
(Signed) "GEO. CANNING."
"N.B. Mr. Ridgway is requested to forward this letter to its
destination."