I return you many Thanks, my Dear Temple, for the favor you have done me, in forwarding me a small Packet from America, and am at the same time extremely sorry, that the Inattention of Mr Kendall should have occasioned you that Trouble.

I do not find by the Letters I have received, (none of which are later than the 18th of July) that any thing considerable has happened since my departure, and the loss of Charlestown does not seem to be attended by any allarming circumstances. The Capture of 56 East & west India Ships, by the combined fleets, is an affair of no small consequence, and if 12 Sail of the Quebec fleet should have fallen into the Hands of the Confederacy &c, it will at least prevent the operations of the British being very vigorous, in the northern Parts of our Continent.

Your few Lines of the 13th Instant informed me of the Arrival of Mr Searle, who, you understand, is charged with Important Business for our State. What can this business be? Has Pennsylvania an Interest seperate, and distinct, from that of the other States, or is she putting herself to an useless and unnecessary expence. Aconomy was never more requisite than at this juncture; her Inhabitants are labouring under very heavy Taxes, and any increase would perhaps be ruinous. But supposing this expence to be absolutely necessary, is the Gentleman sent properly qualified for an important Undertaking. I have not the honor of his acquaintance, and can therefore have no opinion upon the Subject—as you, I imagine, see him often, you may have had an opportunity of discovering his abilities.

By a Letter, and indeed the only one, which I have received from Foulke I find that he is become studious—that he rises at six o’Clock and does not exercise his very great Talent so often as heretofore to the great Detriment of Madame La Comtesse and others of her Quality. He does not, perhaps, consider that he may exasperate sa mére and deprive himself of the formerly deserved apellation of mon fils. You I Suppose continue to lend a helping hand to Comutation pour l’honneur de notre patrie & le service de la nation françoise; for my part I have lain upon my arms for some time past, with respect to domestic operations, as ma hotesse is upon a visit at Paris, and 40 Leagues is rather too great a distance, pour lui faire ma cour. In a Letter to Foulke I inclosed a Note, in french, to you, to show you how strong I was in that Language; but you may be assured that when I can write French with as much Ease as you do, (which, by the by, does not seem to be within the probable events of 1780) that I shall not make use of any other language, (since Robeson’s Montague will not allow it to be a Tongue) for the medium of our correspondance.

Have you heard any thing of Tyler or Trumbul since their departure, I think the time fixed for their return is long since expired—but perhaps the amusements of London, are more alluring than they expected. Appleton I imagine has joined them before this time, as he did not propose to make any long stay in Holland. Apropos of Holland, does Mr. Adams continue there, and are there any appearances of his being able to exercise his Commission shortly. Messrs Dana & Thaxter continue in their old Quarters & in a word Paris, I suppose, is exactly as I left it.

Foulke informed me that Madame Pechigny has been very ill—God grant that it may not be owing to the Shock which her Virtue Modesty &c receivd from a certain procedure. I tremble for her when I think of your vicinity, & her remains of former beauty. One thing only can save her, your very numerous engagements of the same Nature.

Be good enough to make my most respectful Compliments to your Grandfather, and believe me to be, mon cher ami, with great Truth Yours very sincerely