Your Excellency will permit me, with the most lively sensations of gratitude & pleasure, to return you my warmest Thanks for the Communication, you have been pleased to make to me and the Army, of the glorious News of a general Peace; an Event, which cannot fail to diffuse a general Joy throughout the United States: but to none of their Citizens a greater Share, than to the Officers & Soldiers, who now compose the Army—It is impossible for me to express the Effusion of Joy, with which I beg your Excellency, to accept a Return of my sincerest Congratulations on this happiest of Events.

The Commutation of the Half Pay, and Measures adopted for the Liquidation of their Accounts, give great satisfaction to the Army; and will prove an additional Tie, to strengthen their Confidence in the Justice, and benevolent Intentions of Congress towards them. I have the Honor to be, with the Highest Respect & Esteem Sir Your Excellencys Most Obedient & most humble Servant