how happy I shall think Myself whenever a Safe opportunity of writing to Congress will be offered, I Cannot Better any way express But in Reminding them of that unbounded Affection and Gratitude I Shall ever feel for them— So deeply are those sentiments Engrav’d in my heart, that I every day lament upon that distance which Separates me from them, and that never any thing was so warmly and passionately wish’d for, as I desire to Return again to that Country of which I shall ever Consider myself as a Citizen— There is no pleasure to be enjoy’d which Might Equal this of finding Myself among that free liberal Nation By whose affection and Confidence I am so highly honor’d, to fight again with those Brother Soldiers of Mine to whom I am So much indebted— But Congress know that former plans have been altered By themselves, that other ones have been thought impossible, as they were ask’d too late in the year I therefore will Make use of the leave of absence they were pleas’d to Grant me, and Serve the Common Cause among My Countrymen theyr allies, till happy Circumstances May Conduct me to the American shores in such a way as would Make that Return More useful to the United States.

The affairs of America I shall ever look upon as My first Business while I am in Europe—any Confidence from the King and ministers any popularity I May have among My Country men, any Mean in My power, shall be to the Best of My skill, and till the end of My life exerted in Behalf of an interest I have so much at heart— What I have hitherto done or Said Relating to America, I think Needless to Mention, as my ardent zeal for her is, I hope, well known to Congress— But I want to let them know that, if in my proposals in My repeated warm instances for Getting ships, Monney, Support of Any kind, I have found the Ministry not alwais So much in Earnest as I was Myself, I was then Stopp’d By theyr Natural fear of inconveniences which Might arise for Both, or By theyr Conviction that Such a thing was impossible for the present, But I never could Question theyr ^Ardent^ good will towards America—in Case Congress may Believe My influence May any way Serve them, I wish they would direct such orders to me, that I might more certainly and properly employ the knowledge I have of this Court and Country for obtaining a succes to which my heart Shall be So much interested.

His Excellency Doctor Franklin, will, no doubt, inform you, Sir, of the situation of Europe and Respective State of our affairs— The Chevalier de la luzerne1 will also add intelligences which will be intrusted to him in the time of his departure— By the doctor you will learn what has been Said or thought of on account of finances— Germany Prussia, Turkey and Russia have Made Such a peace as the French have desir’d— All the Northern Kingdoms, the Dutch themselves Seem Rather disgusted with English pride and vexations— They put themselves in situation of protecting theyr trade of Any kind with France— Irish intelligences You will be fully and particularly Acquainted of— What Concerns Spain will also be laid Before you, To that I have Nothing to Add but telling you that our Affairs Seem Going very fast towards a Speedy and honorable end— England is Now Making her last efforts and I hope a great Stroke will before long abate theyr fantastik swelled appearance, and Shew the Narrow Bounds of theyr actual true power.

Since we have taken Senegal I don’t know of any Military event which I Might Mention— There has been a privateering expedition against jersay island which has been Stopp’d by the dificulty of getting a shore— That little attempt Made by Some few private Volunteers, England honor’d with the Name of a public French expedition, and very unwisely employ’d their Admiral Arbuthnot2 which will put a great delay to his Spoken of departure. Congress will hear of an expedition against our friends of Liverpool and other parts of the English Coast, for to Show there French troops under American Colours, which on account of Raising Contributions, my Concern for American finances, had at lenght Brought into My head— But the plan was afterwards Reduc’d to So Small a Scale, that they thought the Command would no Moor fitt me, and the expedition itself has been delay’d Till Moor important operations are to take place— There I hope to be employ’d, and if Any thing important is the Matter I Shall as a faithfull American officer Give an accurate account thereof to Congress and General Washington.3

That So flattering affection Congress and the American Nation are pleas’d to honor me with, Make me very desirous of letting them know, and if I dare Speack So, friendly enjoy my private Situation—happy in the Sight of My friends and family, after I was By Your attentive goodness, Safely Brought Again to My Native Shore, I Met there with Such an honorable Reception, with Such kind Sentiments as By far exceed any wishes I durst have Conceiv’d—that unexpressible Satisfaction which the Good will of My Countrymen towards me affords to My heart, I feel indebted for to theyr ardent love for America, for the Cause of freedom, and its defenders theyr new allies, and to the idea they entertain that I had the happiness to Serve the United States—to those very Motives, Sir, and to the letter Congress were pleas’d to write on My Account, I owe the Many favors the King has Confer’d upon me— There was no Time lost in appointing me to the Command of his own Regiment of dragoons, and Any thing he Might have done, any thing I Might have wish’d I have Receiv’d on account of your kind Reccommendations.

Since Some days I am in this Small town, Near Rochefort harbour where I have join’d the King’s Regiment, and where other troops which I for the Moment Command are Stationn’d— But I hope leaving Before long this place for to play a more active part and Come Nearer the Common enemy. Before My departure from Paris, I Sent to the Minister of foreign affairs who, by the bye, is one of our Best Friends, an intelligence Concerning a loan in Holland which I want France to Make or Answer for in Behalf of America But I din’t hear yet Any thing on that head—4 Msr. le chev de la luzerne will Carry you longer and fresher News as he is particularly ordered to do So, and he directly Setts of from Versailles— That New plenipotentiary Minister I beg leave to Recommend most instantly to Congress, not only as a public but also as a private Gentleman—by the acquaintance, I have Made with him, I Conceive he is a Sensible, modest, well meaning man, a Man truly worthy of enjoying the Sight of American freedom— I hope that By his Natural temper as well as By his abilities he will obtain Both public Confidence and private friendship.

As whenever the interests of Belov’d friends are Seriously Concern’d, Candid and warm affection don’t know how to Calculate and throws a way all Considerations, I shall frankly tell ^you, Sir,^ that Nothing may more effectually hurt theyr interests Consequence and Reputation in Europe, than to hear of Some thing like dispute or division between Whigs— Nothing Could urge My touching this delicate Matter, but the unhappy experience I every day Make on that head, Since I May hear Myself what is Said on this Side of the Atlantic, and the Arguments I am to fight against.

Let me, Sir, finish this So long letter in Begging you Would present once more to the Congress of the United States, that tribute of an endless, unbounded, zeal and affection, of the highest Respect, and most sincere gratitude, I shall profess and deeply feel for them till the last moment of My life. With the Most perfect Regard I have the honor to be, Sir Your excellency’s Most obedient humble Servant