The letter which your Excellency did me the favor to write to me on the first of this month does me great honor: the sentiments which you have been pleased to entertain of my conduct are very flattering; and the friendly manner in which they are expressed is highly pleasing. To meet the approbation of a gentleman whose good wishes were early engaged in the American cause, & who has attended to its progress thro’ the various stages of the revolution, must be considered as a happy circumstance for me; & I shall seek occasionally to testify my sense of it.

With much truth, I repeat the assurances offered to your Excellency thro’ Mr renden, of the pleasure I should have in seeing you at my Seat in this State, that I might express personally to you, how sensibly I feel for the proposed honor of your correspondence, & pray you to offer in such terms as you know would be most acceptable & proper, my gratitude to His Catholic Majesty, for his royal present to me—than which nothing could have been more flattering or valuable. With much esteem, respect & consideration I have the honor to be &c.