The writings of James Madison, comprising his public papers and his private correspondence, including numerous letters and documents now for the first time printed. |
TO EDMUND PENDLETON. |
 |
 | The writings of James Madison, |  |
TO EDMUND PENDLETON.
Dear Sir,—I had the pleasure of receiving yours
of the 25 ul°. yesterday and am sorry it is not in my
power to gratify your hopes with any prospect of a
successful issue to this campaign. The reports of the
approach or arrival of a French fleet continue to be
circulated, and to prove groundless. If any foreign
operations are undertaken on the continent it will probably
be against the Floridas by the Spaniards. A Spanish
Gentleman who resides in this City has received
information from the Governor of Cuba that an armament
would pass from the Havannah to Pensacola
towards the end of last month, and that 10 or 12
ships of the line and as many thousand troops would
soon be in readiness for an expedition against St.
Augustine. It would be much more for the credit
of that nation as well as for the common good, if
instead of wasting their time & resources in these
separate and unimportant enterprises, they would join
heartily with the French in attacking the Enemy
where success would produce the desired effect.
The enclosed papers contain all the particulars which
have been received concerning the apostacy & plot of
Arnold. A variety of his iniquitous jobs prior to
cover of his military authority, have been detected
among his papers, and involve a number of persons
both within & without the Enemies lines. The
embarkation lately going on at N. York, and given
out to be destined for Virginia or Rhode Island, was
pretty certainly a part of the plot against W. Point;
although the first representation of it has not yet
been officially contradicted.
| The writings of James Madison, | |