I find myself in a country as very different in every respect from the one, which I have left, that I am apprehensive of becoming perfectly stupid before the Winter is past. But in order to prevent as much as possible the bad effects of this climate, I shall remain much at home and employ my leisure time in reading the History of these Provinces, and obtaining a knowledge of those things which may appear to me useful. In this manner I imagine three or four months can not be entirely lost, and the Spring may open prospects more useful & more agreeable.

I received a Letter from Mayo yesterday who finds Brussels more agreeable than he expected upon his arrival and from what he writes, I imagine he is fixed for the Winter. He has got acquainted with several Gentlemen, and mentions his drinking tea every day. He is more lucky than I have been, but I have not as yet presented the letter you was obliging enough to give me for Mr. Grand de la Chaise, but I shall look out for him immediately, and doubt not that he will render me every service in his power.

I congratulate you, my dear friend, upon the surrender of Lord Cornwallis, and the troops under his command. Continued losses must at length bring the British to reason, and will perhaps make them think of treating [illegible] a Nation which they have hitherto con[sidered] as rebel subjects; we are told also of succes[ses] [i]n the State of Carolina, and seem upon the whole victorious in every quarter. The conditions upon which Lord Cornwallis surrendered are by this time I suppose public, and I am anxious to hear the terms. His rank in the Army as well as in Society, must render him an object of consequence and perhaps might be succesfully offered in exchange for Mr. Laurens, supposing General Burgoyne should be refused.

I will beg you to present my most respectful compliments to your Grandfather—remember me to my Countrymen and believe me to be with much Esteem Your assured Friend