5500. MONROE (James), Slanderous attack on.—[continued].
I have had a consultation
with Mr. Dawson on the matter respecting
Skipwith. We have neither of us the least
hesitation, on a view of the ground, to pronounce
against your coming forward in it at
all. Your name would be the watchword of
party at this moment, and the question would
give opportunities of slander, personal hatred,
and injustice, the effect of which on the justice
of the case cannot be calculated. Let it, therefore,
come forward in Skipwith's name, without
your appearing even to know of it. * * *
I do not think “Scipio” worth your notice.
* * * Your narrative and letters, wherever
they are read, produce irresistible conviction,
and cannot be attacked but by a contradiction
of facts, on which they do not venture.—
To James Monroe.
Ford ed., vii, 232.
(Pa.,
April. 1798)
