Thomas Cadwalader TO Biddle

Washington Barnard's 22. Dec: 1831 My dear Sir,

I yesterday gave you the ideas of Mr' McLane & have to day had a conference with Mr' McDuffie. He leans strongly to an immediate application—but is much staggered by what I learned from M^L. He now thinks we must ascertain our strength carefully & not start the business unless sure of a majority under the circumstances adverted to in my last. He was entirely candid & confidential — has no good will to the Administration & is disposed to view their movements with doubt & suspicion. He will not give up the idea that the P. will be more likely to sign the bill now than after the Election, & under any circumstance he thinks we ought to go on, if we can poll a certain majority. Let the P. then veto, if he finds freedom to do so — in the face of his Message & M^'s Report — & we may bring on the measure with a fair chance of the 2/3^ds next year. We are now getting exact information as to the vote — in w¹¹ he will help. Tomorrow after ten, I meet Gen' Smith & dine with him & M°Duffie at M' McLanes. That triumvirate & my unworthy self are to discuss the subject in conclave at the Sec^s office on Saturday Eve.

All our Penns members of the H. of R. (except Horn, Dewart, & Mann) are said to be for us, even in the teeth of the P — that part I shall better sift, before I rely on all — Ford & King, I do not feel sure of. I shall look closely at those of them who voted for Stevenson, fearing their steadiness