Duplicate

I must beg the favor of Your Excellency to forward the enclosed Letter to London. The father of Mr. Lowndes who wrote it, is a worthy Citizen and very desirous that his Son should return to America before the first of March 1782, the time limitted bye Law of the State of Maryland for the return of absentees in the British Dominions under penalty of forfeiting their property to the State.

I suppose the Special appointment of Col Laurens to the Court of Verseilles, was a measure that you could not have expected would have been adopted by Congress: Your having negotiated the business for which he was sent before his arrival, proves that his errand was unnecessary.

Public bodies in all Countries, and more especially in this new World are too apt to take up, and determine hastily upon subjects of the greatest consequence. I was absent when that Gentleman was elected. And however the Maggot may have bit on that occasion, I can assure you that Congress have the greatest reliance on your abilities, integrity, and address, inso much, that it is with pleasure that I can inform you in the late choice of Ministers to negotiate a peace, you were unanimously elected.

I have the honor to be with the greatest respect and esteem Dear Sir, Your most Obedient humble Servant.