I am this morning favord with your Excellencys letter of the 29th which Count Rochambeau did me the honor to deliver to me on his arrival here.

I am much obliged to you for the news you did me the honor to communicate it has not a very agreable appearance but if it will induce the Spanish Court to act with energy against the Enemy in another quarter—we may hope the most happy consequences even from this failure.

Should your departure from this Continent be so speedy as to prevent my having the pleasure of addressing you again I must intreat you to accept my sincere wishes for safety and success & to believe that it gives me great regret that during your Stay I have had no Opportunity of assuring you in person of the very great respect and esteem with which I have &c.

At the moment of closing this your Letter of the 3d Decr came to hand—the Packets will be forwarded immediately by Express[.] I had before advised the Chevalier de la luzerne of the departure of the British fleet.