i take the opportunity of major l’enfant going to Camp to present my Respects to your Excellency. that officer informed me in the Conversation of the journey which he is to undertake with baron de Stuben. i don’t presume Certainly to penetrate into the wiews of your excellency or to direct your Confidence, but i beg leave to observe to you that i have not received yet any orders from france, that, i am still in the service of america and so that i hope if neither i nor the first officer of the Corps we have not been so unfortunate as to lose your esteem, and confidence your Excellency will be so good as not to trust any person with any business which belong to our Department. I have the honour to be with the greatest Respect your Excellency’s the most obedient and humble servant