The Bearer is Baron Steieben of whome I had the honor to write to you by the hands of a Friend about a month since.

He is a Gentleman of Family, Merit and great experience, well known to some of the First Personages in Europe, and hereby gives you sir a strong proof of his Ambition to make the Acquaintance of Doctor Franklin in actualy performing a Journey from Germany to Paris for that Purpose.

I confess it needful to make an Apology to you Sir for having lately troubled you with so many letters unanswered, but I had then something to communicate of too vast an importance for the Hands of The Common post; that opportunity being past I have no more to say than that I have the Honor to be Sir your sencere Friend and Most Humble Servant