I have been honored with your Excellencys Letter of the 10th instant.

Congress having, by several Arrangements, given me reason to believe, that their sense of the prelimininary Articles is such, that there is no doubt but they will terminate in a definitive Treaty; I cannot suppose that these will be a Necessity of the further Continuance of the French Troops in the United States. Nor can I have a Wish that those brave Men, Officers & Soldiers, who have served so nobly, & deserved so honorably from these States, should meet with One moments unnecessary Delay in their return to their native Country & Friends—But the desire of my Heart is, that they will be pleased to carry with them, an Idea of the high veneration I have conceived of their services, and the particular Attatchment I shall always entertain for their Persons. With the highest Respect & Consideration I have the Honor to be Sir Your Excellency’s Most Obedient and Most humble Servant