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 favorof the 22^s 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.