I address you with reluctance, with unease that you are too often beset, while the momentous Concerns of your Very important trust are pressing.

Soon after Coming to this place,1 I saw a letter to Colo. Parker from Mr D. Bedenger at Norfolk in which he says “I have been informed that Mr Fitzsimmons in presence of Majr Frazier of Pittsburgh and in public Company declared that a Certain Mr Bedenger of Norfolk was the author of the publication under the signature of Veritas, and as I have reason to believe this story was invented to injure me I feel myself obliged to make inquiry respecting the Authority upon which that Gentleman made the declaration. In short I wish to know of whom Mr Fitzsimmons had his information and must rely on your friendship in procuring a sattisfactory answer from that gentleman.” 2

I went immediately to Mr Fitzsimmons with the above extract under which he wrote. “I never said to any person or in any Company that either Mr Bedenger or any particular person was the author of the pieces under the Signature of Veritas nor was the name of the writer of these papers inquired after by me directly or indirectly.[”] This he Signed and dated Philada January 3d 1794,3 and I inclosed a Copy to Mr Bedenger, who tho a perfect Stranger to the author of this publication, has Several times mentioned the nature of a Certain party in that place, who regularly Correspond with those of their sentiments here and elsewhere, that I am induced to trouble you with a State of real facts. Mr Bedinger my son in law,4 as myself, is a warm friend to his Country & it’s goverment, he therefore of Course is looked upon with an evil Eye by these Silken Commercial birds of passage, who are for the most part factors, and as far as they have influence, emessarys of Brittain, and too much infect our States while they are Malignant in their hate. But I am happy to know beyond a possibility of doubt, that the most disinterested paternal regards for the rights of the people & well being of this our Common Country fill your mind with the ardor of a patriot, and an honest man, the noblest of all charactors, and this Conscious evidence of mind is all powerful with my brother & all our Connections, Mr Peyton Clerk of the Winchester Scottish Court and who acted as clerk when the Resolutions of that place were entered into, and Mr Conrad Mare of the town are of my family as is Colo. Morrow of Shepperds Town, and Mr Hite, who with Mr Bedinger were officers in the Continental army, where Mr Hite sufferd much by a wound.5

Capn Christie of this place has often expressd his desire to obtain some appointment. Certificates in his favour are full. he is Cousin to Mr Christie from the State of Maryland. His Connections here are honest people. He is poor & his family rather suffering, a wish to be with them & the affair of the Algerene war having deranged his usual mode of life. He served through the last war as Capn of one of the Galley’s, was wounded at red bank & mud Island. an appointment at the arsenals or where his family Can be with him appears to be most his wish. I beg pardon for detaining you tho it is perhaps less troublesome than waiting on you as at several times when I attended you were engaged.6

Pray accept my sincere good wishes while I have the honor to be with every Sentiment of real respect Dear Sir Your Most Hble Sert