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Biddle TO Thomas Cadwalader

Phil". Dec. 23. 1831

My dear Sir,

Your favor announcing your arrival & your second giving the result of your first interview are received. I have not had yet an opportunity of apprizing our friends S. & C.1 of the state of things but shall do so this afternoon. The views of M1^ M. are sufficiently discouraging, & I shall wait anxiously for the further lights which you will give.

I inclose a paper of which I have no other copy — which therefore you will have the goodness to send back when you have no further occasion for it, or to bring it if you come soon. It is an extract from the minutes of the old Bank of the U.S. by which you will perceive that as early as the 6th of Jan7 1807 — four years before the expiration of the charter, and when it had nearly as long to run as ours has, the stockholders met & prepared a memorial which was not however presented until the following session of Congress— say 1808 (as this is the substance of the. extract it is not worth while to send it)

* Whence may be argued that if they began so early, we involved or provoked as we have been, cannot be reproached with a premature movement. I am particularly anxious to know the opinion of Mr' McDuffie in whose judgment in this matter I have the highest confidence.

biddle TO thomas cadwalader

Phil'1. Dec'. 24. 1831

Saturday night My dear General,

The mail which should have arrived this morning did not reach us till night, so that I have just received your favor

 

 

of the 22s inst which is very interesting. On this whole matter I have heard much & thought more since you left us. I of course abstain from forming any definite opinion, but I will mention to you exactly my present state of mind. It is this. If Mr' M^Duffie could insure a reference to the Committee of Ways & Means, & a favorable report of that Committee, I would not hesitate to try it, if I could rely on a majority of one only in each house. Once fairly launched by the Cornee I think we could succeed by a larger vote—but this you know better than I do. I have not said this to anybody except yourself — but all my reflections tend that way. With your letter comes a second from M1" Webster renewing with increased conviction his opinion expressed in the most decided manner of the expediency of it.