I am sending back to you, my respectable friend, your original and the translation. I think I have kept the tone of reason and quiet humour that you put in it. Check however that I have caught your meaning throughout. I added on my own the last line as a necessary qualifying statement without which your phrase expressed a certain scorn for the officers that served in America, a scorn that you no doubt did not intend. Moreover, if you permit me to say so, this paper, which is excellent in itself, might upset certain people whom you do not want to offend and for this reason it must not be given, unless you deem otherwise, to anyone but those who have enough philosophy to know and feel the entire absurdity and ridiculousness of the deadly prejudice that you are fighting so well. I am pleased to believe that I am among them, but I am also pleased to be among those for whom you have shown some esteem and friendship and whom you have judged worthy of hearing you. I embrace you with all the tenderness and respect that I have sworn to you for life.