Wishing to give the surest as well as a speedy conveyance of the inclosed letter to Genl. Lafayette, I take the liberty of requesting that it may be permitted to accompany the earliest dispatches from the Department of State, to Paris.

Mrs. M. avails herself of the occasion & of my pen to return her thanks for the acceptable article* recd. through the hand of Mr. Carter Stephenson, whilst she was in Richmond. She joins me at the same time in the assurance of high esteem, & in the cordial salutations which I pray you to accept