64

    To Dudley A. Tyng

    Philadelphia        2 January 1792

    My friend—

    Yours of the first Decemr. came safe to hand; and after laying by me a day or two, while I pondered on its contents, I shew it to Mr. [Benjamin] Goodhue and some others of my Colleagues1—And the conduct of the Collector therein mentioned excited their ire to a prodigious degree—some thought I had better advise you to lay the facts with such evidence as you could get before the Secretary of the Treasury, & till that was done to say nothing further about it—others were of opinion, I had better shew the Letter immediately to the Secretary myself and take his direction thereon—This concurring with my own sentiments on the Subject, I called this morning upon the Secretary, but he not being at home, I read your Letter to his Assistant Mr. [Tench] Cox—

    He thought you had done perfectly right provided the facts contained in your Letter can be substantiated, & requested me to leave the Letter with him, to shew to the Secretary, & take proper measures thereon—He expressed much dissatisfaction & [at?] the supposed conduct of the Collector—And observed, that if I wrote to you, I had better mention the propriety there might be in your keeping the whole matter as much a secret as possible, for the present; lest, the Collector might apprehend a prosecution, & be induced to take measures to frustrate an enquiry by practicing with the witnesses, and subordinate officers.

    I am rather of opinion that the Attorney of the District will be directed to enquire into & state facts to the Secretary; or to institute a prosecution immediately—

    Tis probable you will hear from me again in a few days; and in the mean time I am, my dear friend,

    Yours. &c

    * * *

    FC, TFP