I am much obliged by your two favors of the   and 11th Instant,1 I am happy that the Council of Safety have written the Letter to Gen: Putnam Copy whereof you were so good as to send me— I feel myself so superior to my malicious Enemies from the happy reflection that I have zealously done my duty to my Country that I shall as you very Justly recommend not discompose myself on this Occasion, their Calumny will bring shame & Confusion on themselves—

I am in such a Situation that It is necessary for me to Conciliate the affections of All about me. I dare not [illegible] Speak my Sentiments on the Evacuation of Tyconderoga You will perceive I have not done It Either to Genl Washington or the Council of Safety to Your secrecy I can Confide them.— They are, that It was an Ill Judged measure not warranted by necessity, and carryed Into Execution with a precipitation that could not fail of creating the greatest panic in our troops and Inspiriting the Enemy I am Confident that with a moderate degree of foresight and Exertion the far greater part of the valuable Stores might have been saved Even If It had been really necessary to have abandoned the posts, ^from^ my Letters to Genl St. Clair he had the greatest reason to believe that I would have Joined him in a few days with a very Considerable body of troops.2 And I believe I should have been ^with him^ at the head of four or five thousand men by this time if not before—but all this be Entre nous

I hope Gen. Clintons having the ^Chair^ of Government will not cause any divisions amongst the friends of America.— Altho his family & Connections do not Intitle him to so distinguished a preeminance Yet he is virtuous and loves his Country, has abilities and is brave, and hope he will Experience from Every patriot what I am resolved he shall have from me, Support Countenance & Comfort.

I think I am neither Enthusiastical or Superstitious but I cannot help Informing you that I am Impressed with a presentiment that all will go well, that in the midst amidst the multiplicity of business which Engrosses my Attention this friendly guest Intrudes at Every turn, bids me be of good Cheer and so amazingly raises my Spirits that I feel like a Conqueror, You will Laugh at me, do If you please and Let our friends laugh with You, but remember if all ^I feel^ should be Caused by some dreadful & flattering divinity such as removed the pilot Athamas from Ithaca which he thought he beheld and approached, I am still happy while the Illusion lasts— Adieu my best wishes attend you and my other friends I am most sincerely Yours &c., &c.,