I have been favord with a Letter from you of the 18th feby—I am sensible how disagreable it is to have an inferior Officer promoted over your head, and am sorry it is not in my power to remedy it—The promotion of Major Rochefontaine was a matter in which I had not the least interference, it took place solely on the recommendation of General Duportail, who I believe represented to Congress, that it was the practise of all Nations after a successfull Seige, to promote the Engineers who had contributed to the Success.

Your Zeal and active Services are such as reflect the highest honor on yourself and are extremely pleasing to me and I have no doubt they will have their due weight with Congress in any future promotion in your Corps. I am sir Your Most Obedt Servt