Chapter 9

"Monday, February 14. 1814.

"Before I left town yesterday, I wrote you a note, which I presume you received. I have heard so many different accounts of _your_ proceedings, or rather of those of others towards _you_, in consequence of the publication of these everlasting lines, that I am anxious to hear from yourself the real state of the case. Whatever responsibility, obloquy, or effect is to arise from the publication, should surely _not_ fall upon you in any degree; and I can have no objection to your stating, as distinctly and publicly as you please, _your_ unwillingness to publish them, and my own obstinacy upon the subject. Take any course you please to vindicate _yourself_, but leave me to fight my own way; and, as I before said, do not _compromise_ me by any thing which may look like _shrinking_ on my part; as for your own, make the best of it. Yours, BN."

* * * * *