I should sooner have complyd with my promise of writing to you, had any thing worth communicating occurrd. We have prevaild with Congress, after much difficulty and I am afraid too great delay, to send a special Minister to the Court of Versailles for the attainment of the Aids we want. Since my arrival here, I have recommended three things to Congress as essentially necessary to the welfare of our Country. The appointment of a Minister to support our cause with the Empress of Russia who is the head of the Neutral Powers; the establishment of a secretary of state for foreign Affairs, who may conduct them with intelligence and regularity; and the recal of Mr. Franklin whose conduct I consider as injurious to the honor and interests of these United States.

The first has been adopted and carried into execution, Mr. Dana being appointed Chargé des affaires at the Court of Petersburg. The other two are now under the consideration of Congress. The report of some Captains, lately arrivd from L’Orient, relative to the mismanagement in dispatching the? supplies for the Army, none of which are yet arrivd, contribute to show more clearly, the necessity of Dr. Franklin’s removal, as Congress have it under his hand that they were furnishd a year ago, and the not having expedited them, has every appearance of designd neglect.

We have no certain Accounts from the? Southward of the motions of General Leslie and the Troops under his command, since they evacuated Virginia.

My Nephew desires his respects to your Excellency and I beg the favor of being remembered to your Son whom I had the pleasure of seeing again at Fish-kill.

I have the honor to be with the greatest respect and esteem Your Excellency’s most obedient and most Humble servant