The Marqs de la Fayette who arrived at this place on tuesday last, gave me the pleasure of receiving your letter dated at Paris the 16th of June—& of learning from it, that you had not relinquished the idea of visiting a Country, on whose theatre you have acted a conspicuous part. Be assured Sir, that at whatever time, & under whatever circumstances this may happen, I shall be among the first to give you a welcome reception.

Several circumstances conspired to prevent my making the tour with the Chevr de la Luzerne, to the Great Cataract of Niagara; but that which had most weight with me, indeed which an insurmountable objection, was, the British (without even the colour of pretence), holding that, & the intermediate Post of Oswego. I did not choose to make the trip upon curtesy; nor to place myself in a situation where either a denial or any indignity might be offered in the prosecution of it.

I pray you to offer my best wishes to any of the Gentlemen of your Corps with whom I have the pleasure of an acquaintance, when you see them. Mrs Washington thanks you for your kind remembrance of her, & begs you to accept her compliments. I am Dr Sir, with great esteem Yrs &c.