I am favord with your polite Letter of the 2d Inst.

It would have given me great pleasure to have had the opportunity of congratulating you personally on your late Promotion, but your business not permitting that, I am happy in this Oppertunity of doing it, at the Same time assuring you that your Merit more than any Interest of mine influenced Congress in your favor.

I sincerely hope your applications to the Legislature in behalf of the Sick and Wounded Soldiery of your Line may have been attended with Success—nothing surely could be wanting to excite the gratitude of the People but the bare mention of their distress.

Tho’ the present inactive State of Affairs does not render your presence here necessary; should circumstances change I shall be very happy in availing myself of them if I can do it with propriety and in the mean time I remain with great regard Sir Your very humble Servant.