Your favor of the 7th inst. has been duly received—Agreeably to your request I enclose Discharges for the Men you have mentioned by name—Whenever there are any other instances in which you think the good of the service will be promoted by similar exchanges, I shall not hesitate to give my assent thereto.

At the same time, I am very happy to hear you are to continue in service, I am extremely distressed with a consideration of the disagreeable feelings & prospects of many of the brave Officers, from whose zeal experience & ability the Public has derived such essential services, and who are now to bid adieu to their Military connections.

Altho’ it may not be in the power of our Country & the present age to do ample justice to the Merits of those gallant Officers & Men who have composed the American Army, and by their bravery & perseverance effected the Independence of this vast Continent; yet a pleasing consciousness of having been instrumental in producing so great an event, and a reflexion that the unbiased World & Posterity will view their exertions in the fairest point of light, will sooth many an anxious hour. and I cannot but hope the sweets of liberty, peace, & domestic enjoyment, are yet to be tasted by those who have shared so freely in the fatigues & dangers of procuring these inestimable blessings for others. With sentiments of the highest esteem I am Dear Sir Your Most Obedt Servt