I wrote so fully to you not long since1 that I should not trouble you at this time if I had not determined to omit no opportunity of Letting you hear from this side of the water & enabling you at all times to meet any any falsehoods the enimy may find it politic to publish.

Since the capture of Cornwallis nothing very material has happened the ravaging parties on the northern frontiers have been defeated with great loss by the militia. The armies have taken their stations for the winter the French in Virginia & Mary Land our troops on the Hudson excepting some detatchments under Genl. St Clair destined to reinforce Genl Greene they have orders to take Wilmington in their way where the enimy have about 600 men, it is probable they will not wait the attack. Genl. Greene will have men enough to shut up the enimy but not to force their strong holds, want of money cramps all our exertions & prevents our making a glorious winter campaign. The enimy are all shut up on two or three points of Land which is all they possess of the immense country they hope to conquer, & even these they hold by a very precarious tenure. Disaffection ^which^ has languished for sometime past died when Cornwallis surrendered.

Congress are occupied in taking measures for an active campaign & they feel them selves satisfied with every thing both at home & abroad except the reception you meet with plain & ingenuous themselves they are astonished at the finesses of the court, the candid manner in which France has treated with them leading them to expect like candor elsewhere. They feel their pride hurt at the measures of Spain and in spite of all their attatchtmt: to the monarch and people of that country they begin to talk of ceasing to apply where they are considered not as an independent people but as humble supplicants. Tell me seriously what your opinion about being directed to go to Paris. If no loans can be obtained, if no treaty can be opened, why stay where you [are] & experience nothing but mortification? But this is only mentioned to know your opinion in case it should become a subject of discussion here. Congress have dissolved Mr. Adams’s powers to make a treaty of commerce with Great Britain2 and as you know joined you & Mr. Franklin and Mr. Lawrance in his other commission3 If England should at length be wise enough to wish for peace.

The Marquis De Lafayette is the bearer of this he has promissed to convey it with safety to you & to correspond with you in such manner as to enable you to avail your self of all the knowledge which he has acquired that may be useful to you. The resolve of which I enclose a copy4 shew the sense of Congress on this Subject & the confidence which they very justly repose in him— His aid5 waits for this. I need not explain this letter6 adieu my Dear Sr believe me to be with the highest respect & esteem Your Most Obt humble: Servt.