Your Letters should not have remained so long unanswered, had I not daily expected the Pleasure of seeing you here but Coll Renselaer a few Days ago informed me that the Business of the Public would detain you sometime longer yet at Albany1

The several Copies of Orders &ca., I recd. on the Way from Philadelphia, & immediately inclosed them together with Your Letter to Mr Duane. It was committed to the Care of Govr. Livingston, and I make no Doubt Mr. Duane has recd. it, tho I have not heard from him since.2

The Letter inclosing one for Mr. Duer arrived in my Absence and was given to me after my Return. Mr. Duer’s Letter was immediately forwarded by Express to Head Quarters—

I exceedingly regret that Train of cross accidents, as well as those Effects of Malevolence and Envy which seem thus incessantly to pursue You, but I hope the Day will yet arrive when the important Services you have rendered your Country will appear in their proper Light, and the desire of diminishing, will give way to a Disposition of acknowledging & rewarding them. Truth must & will triumph.

General Washington & Congress have been ^were^ assured that unless another General presided in the northern Department the Militia of New England could not be brought into the Field. The Congress under this apprehension exchanged their General for this Militia—a Bargain which can receive no Justification but from the supposed necessity of the Times.

Permit me to hint that Care should be taken lest Posterity be influenced in their opinions of your Character & Conduct by the Tales and Prejudices of the present Day. I am Dear General Your Friend & Obt. Servt