Accept the warmest acknowledgements My Dear General of a heart filld with gratitude, for your kind care and fatherly attention to me, while I had the honor to make a part of Your Excellency’s family.

I want words to express the many obligations I am under to you, and can only wish, I may ever be so happy as to have it in my power to make compinsation.

The General Order of the 23d inst. is a fresh mark of your Excellency’s Friendship, for which My Dear Sir accept my sincerest thanks.

Forgive me, for being so much unmand when I took my leave of you and Mrs Washington, but be assured Sir, it was the fullness of a heart concious of the many Benefits I had received from you, during the five years I had the happiness, to be nigh your Excellency’s person.

I shall ever make it my study to conduct myself in such a manner, as to gain the confidence of mankind, and particularly endeavour to merit the approbation of Your Excellency.

It is natural for all young Military men, to wish to have it in their power to show such credentials of their service, as to make them appear respectable in any part of the world, where fortune may call them, This is my wish, and at a lazure hour When your Excellency’s mind is relaxed from the hurry’s and perplexities of a busy day (which you are constantly engaged in) You will be so kind as to give me such a Certificate as your own superior Judgment may think proper.

Be pleased to offer my respectful Compliments to Mrs Washington. I have the honor to be With the greatest respect & Esteem your Excellency’s Most Obedient Servant