The Arrival of the Alliance has relieved your Friends from the anxieties occasioned by the Reports of your having sailed in the Shelaly who has long been missing. I sincerely congratulate you and my Country on your being now safe at the place of your Destination, and be assured of my warmest wishes for your becoming as much distinguished in the Cabinet as you have been in the Field. Rely on, and command without Hesitation any Services which may be in my Power to render either of a public or private nature. Considerations of both kinds will prompt your early Attention to the Release of your Father, and I shall be happy to cooperate with you in any measures for that desireable Purpose. You have probably brought Letters for me. If they should not be already sent, be pleased to transmit them by a french Courier to the Embassador here, and not by the Post— I am Dear Sir with very sincere Esteem & Regard Your most obedient & most hble Servt

28 March 1781. The Letter of which the aforegoing is a Copy, went by last Monday’s post—it will not probably arrive so soon as the Bearer of this, who I am about to dispatch Express to Dr. Franklin. I have desired the Doctr to communicate to you my Letter to him—let me entreat your most active Interposition and Services on the Subject of it.—1 it may often be convenient for us to correspond confidentially. for this purpose be pleased to send me a Cypher by the Return of this express.