signatures, than for a period of more than three weeks while Clingman was in the act of soliciting the “aid and friendship of Mr. Muhlenberg on behalf of himself and Reynolds to get them released or discharged from the prosecution” he Clingman frequently dropped hints to Mr. Muhlenberg, that Reynolds had it in his power very materially to injure the secretary of the Treasury and that Reynolds knew several very improper transactions of his;—and at last went so far as to state that Reynolds said he had it in his power to hang the secretary of the Treasury who was deeply concerned in speculation.” From this it appears, that the suggestions to my prejudice were early made, and were connected with the endeavour to obtain relief through Mr. Muhlenberg—I derive from all this a confirmation of my opinion founded on the general nature of the proceeding that Reynolds and Clingman, knowing the existence in Congress of a party hostile to my conduct in administration, and that the newspapers devoted to it, frequently contained insinuations of my being concerned in improper speculations, formed upon that basis the plan of conciliating the favour and aid of
