Letters to John Cadwalader

Alexander Hamilton to John Cadwalader, March 14, 1783

Alexander Hamilton responds to John Cadwalader's request by recalling a confidential conversation during the 1777 campaign in which Cadwalader reported Mr. Reed's despondent remarks about the American cause after the 1776 retreat across the Delaware. Hamilton attempts to verify the timing and exact wording of Reed’s statement, acknowledging some uncertainty in his memory.