I cannot omit this opportunity of communicating ^transmitting^ to you by a Courier of the Embassador of France, the agreable and interesting Intelligence which you will find ^cont[aine]d^ in the enclosed news Paper—2 There is also A ^Boston^ Paper from of the 1st. March which mentions the arrival there of some french Gentlemen from New port, who say that The Fleet from hence to the Chessapeake had returned after having taken the Romulus of 44. Guns & some other Prizes & destroyd all o the whole ^Rem[ainde]r^ of Arnolds Convoy except some small Vessels which found Shelter in shallow Creeks—3 They also reported that Arnold[s] retreat had been cut off—for my own part I expect he will ^has^ been relieved by Vessels from New York

The Count De Montmorin has throughout my late ^by his active Endeavours to relieve me from^ Money Embarrassments given such decided proof of his Friendship for us,4 & I am not only so well content with this ^his^ Conduct but feel myself so ^greatly^ obliged by it that I think wish submit to your Consideration the propriety of you ^must beg the Favour of you to^ expressing to Count D Est Vergennes my Sentiments to ^on^ this Subject5 I really feel myself under impressed with warm Gratitude to the Embassador, and as this is the only Tribute I ever mean ^intend^ to pay to any Court in the World I mean to be very exact & punctual. Indeed nature has given me too much Sensibility to be otherwise.

Let america be a glorious Exception to the Maxim that Republics are never grateful want Gratitude—for mys I can’t think this Maxim true & I must Doubt whether any Instance can of deliberate Ingratitude in free State can be produced to prove it—. There are Indeed many Proofs of Instances where former Benefits Obligations have been cancelled by subsequent neglect or Injuries but ^an enlightened people who governed themselves will never return^ uniform Benevolence with Ingratitude. I am &C