reason. For my own part, I entertain but little uneasiness. I
have lived a long life, and though I am far from tired of it,
I am ready to go whenever it pleases him who gave it to take
it away.

Looking over my paper, I have directed copies to be made up
such as seem adapted to your purpose. These, and some
original, I will send to your direction, whenever I hear from
you again, and you inform me how to send them. I have but few
letters from Gen. Washington--the _originals_ I cannot consent
to part with; but copies are cheerfully at your service. I
have had a copy taken of a very remarkable correspondence
between General Wayne and General Reed, which awaits your
directions. I was on a visit to Wayne shortly after its close;
he read it to me, and I was so much struck with it, that I
requested leave to take a copy, which he gave me. You will
find it a curiosity, and it is another development of the real
character of Reed. I think I formerly mentioned I knew but
little of Gen. Wayne, with which you are not already
acquainted, and I may say much the same as to Putnam, except
what I had from conversation with General Washington. I have
never been able to make up my mind how far Gen. Gates was
concerned in the movement for his promotion, at Washington's
expense. He certainly did not openly encourage it. It is so
delicate a matter, I did not like to directly question General
Washington. Once or twice, in conversation, I thought he was
coming to the point, but he broke off without reaching it.
Many of Conway's movements against Washington had a tact and
address about them, for which Gates generally received the
credit. Towards the close, his calumnies of Washington were
disgustingly obscene--I mean Conway's. General Reed was well
known to be deeply engaged in this conspiracy. But he lacked
the courage of Conway, and was wholly without the rashness
which so frequently marked the latter. Reed was a cautious and
cunning plotter--he never looked one in the eye. Lee, who
mortally hated him, had a common saying, "that Reed's face was
stamped with the devil's favorite brand." I was once present
when he made the remark in the presence of Reed, without
observing him. Reed stepped forward, and angrily demanded
"what was that, sir?" Lee bowed and repeated the observation,
amid