13 Text as printed by Mr. Reed. Having no idea of its being a private letter, much less suspecting the tendency of the correspondence, I opened it, as I had done all letters to you from the same place and Peck's ddill, upon the business of your office — — sincerely wish your labors may be crowned with the desired success. * * This letter Mr. Reed “ prints from the Letter-Book.” In two short sentences there are three errors, being two omissions, and a wrong name of a place, which latter is important ; thus showing the difficulty of securing verbal accuracy in printing from copies of manuscripts, even when the attention is directed to that point alone. t The above is an exact transcript from the Letter-Book, and is precisely as printed by me, except the following transposition. The words, “ are deliberating on an answer to give the Commissioners to the adThere is another consideration with me. Congress perhaps at this instant are deliberating on an answer to give the Commissioners to an address they have received from them. Should a letter therefore from a member, (in which light you will be considered') hold out sentiments different from theirs, an unfavorable use will doubtless be made of it. Text of the Letter-Books. November 30th, 1776. Having no idea of its being a private letter, much less suspecting the tendency of the correspondence, I opened it, as I had done all other letters to you from the same place and Peekskill, upon the business of your office — — sincerely wish that your labors may be crowned with the desired success. June 15th, 1778. There is another consideration which weighs with me. Congress, at this instant perhaps, are deliberating on an answer to give the Commissioners to the address which they have received from them. Should your letter, therefore, (considered as coming from a member) contain sentiments repugnant to theirs, an unfavorable use, more than probably, will be made of it.f
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTM4ODY=