I have the honour to inclose five letters which I brought with me for your Excellency from Philadelphia, together with two letters for Mr. Franklin and one for Doctor Bancroft; they Came by the Ship St. James in which vessell I arrived last night after a passage of 34 days. I also take the liberty of sending you a rough draught of the situation of the French and American Armies that had surrounded Lord Cornwallis, who was very strongly intrenchd at York and Gloucester in Virginia, to which I shall only add that it was the opinion of some of the General officers in our Army, that he wou'd be under the necessity of surrender-ing in about six weeks from the time that our approaches were made.
There were Various reports Concerning an action between General Green and Col: Stewart of the Brittish, about 60 Miles from Charlestown. The inclosed letter from Col. Richard Butler of the Pennsylvania line to Col: Shiell who received it Near New Castle, when I was there on my way to embarque, is a later Account than any that had reachd Philadelphia before my departure, and so far as I can judge may be depended on. I take the liberty of sending it to you as it Contains a Matter of importance which I hope will soon be Confirm'd. I am at present indisposed but hope in a few days to be able to set out for Paris, and to have the honour of paying my respects to you personaly, in the Mean time I take leave to subscribe myself with the most perfect respect Sir Your Excellency's most obed. Serv.