Note E — TO GENERAL JOSEPH REED.
Reading edition
When Mr. Ingersoll waited on me with General Reed's first letter, 9th of September last, I mentioned to him the situation of my family, and the necessity of my leaving the city. This has been candidly related by Mr. Ingersoll to Mr. Reed, as appears by the following extract from his letter, in answer to mine on the 17th of March, on this subject.
Extract from Mr. Ingersoll's letter, dated Philadelphia, 8th March, 1783.
"The conversation that passed, I reported with candour, and I believe with precision, but still supposed, that the reply from General Reed would be founded entirely upon your answer. Your declaration, with respect to your intention of leaving town, I think I can repeat in nearly the words in which you expressed yourself.
"After discoursing upon the subject of the letter I had put into your hands, you mentioned to me that your furniture was packed up to go to Maryland; that you had been waiting for rain to lay the dust, and that if anything was to come of this business, it must be speedily.
"I endeavour to give the words used,—I certainly do not deviate from the purport of what was said."
This is not the least of the many misrepresentations in which Mr. Reed is convicted in the course of my reply.