Sir,
I hasten to impart to you the happiness I feel at the welcome news of
your arrivals, and as well in the name of the American army as in my
own name to protect you with an assurance of our warmest sentiments
for allies who have so generously come to our aid. As a citizen of the
United States, and as a old XXXX in the cause of liberty, I thankfully
acknowledge the new matter of friendship from this XXXX Christian
Majesty and I feel grateful for XXX for the flattering confidence he
has been please to honor me with on this occasion.
Among the obligations we are under to your prince, I esteem it one
of the first that he has made have for the command of his troops of a
gentleman whole high reputation and happy union of social qualities
and military abilities promise me every public advantage and private
satisfaction.
I beg Sir, you will be the interpreter of my sentiments to the
gentlemen under your command. Be XXXX to assure them, that to the
pleasure I anticipate of an acquaintance with them, I join the warmest
desire to do everything that may be agreeable to under their command,
them and to the soldiering. But in the midst of a war the nature and
difficulties a few which are peculiar and uncommon, I XXXX flatter
XXXX in any war to atone for the sacrifice they have made, but by
giving them such opportunities in the field of glory, as with enables
them to display that gallantry and XXXX latent which we that always be
happy to acknowledge with applause.
The Marquis De La Fayete has been by me desired from time to time to
communicate such intelligence and may such propagations as
circumstances dictate. I think so important immediately to fix our
plan of operation, and with as much secrecy, do possible, that I have
request him to go hopefully to New London where he will probably meet
you. As a General effect I have the greatest confidence in him — as a
friend he is perfectly by acquainted with my sentiments and opinions—
he knows all the circumstances of our army and the country at large,
all the information he gives and all the projections he makes I
entreat you will be confident as coming from me. I request you will
settle all arrangements whatsoever with him and I shall only add, that
I shall exactly conform to the intentions of his most Christian
Majesty as explained in the several papers put into my hand by his
order and signed by his MXXXX.
XXXX me to refer you to the Marquis De La Fayette for more particular
assurances of what I feel on this occasion which I the more readily do
now acknowledge of his peculiar affection and regard for you.
Impatiently waiting for the time when our operation will afford me
the pleasure of a personal acquaintance with you, ______ have the
honor to be with the most perfect consideration and attachment ---
Your most XXXX humble servant.