This will be handed to you by Mr: Randell, a merchant formerly of New-York; he is recommended to me by His Excellency the present President of Congress as a friend to his Country: As such permit me to introduce him to your acquaintance, which he has warmly sollicited.

I have little news to communicate, and the sudden departure of the Bearer prevents your knowing what there is from me, but I shall refer you to him. You have no doubt learnt that the Enemy long since evacuated Savannah in Georgia; you may believe they have done the same by Charlestown about the Beginning of this month, tho’ we as yet have no official or certain account of it. New-York is still in their possession, but we have just heard they are at present in great consternation there; the cause we can scarce form a conjecture about. Our army is better cloathed, better disciplined, in better spirits and more effective than at any period of the war; Congress is still composed of virtuous men; and the people in general are such 71as you wish them to be. Money seems to be our greatest want, and salutary steps are prosecuting concerning it; I flatter myself funds will soon be established sufficiently productive for the public exigences, but if this should in part fail, we must rely somewhat on our Allies, our industry, œconomy & integrity.—

We long to hear from you, having received no official Accounts from Europe since the 5th. Septemr.— The last was from Mr. Laurens—1 His most amiable son, Lieutt. Colo: Laurens, was killed in a battle near Charlestown. You may expect soon our old friend Mr: Jefferson of Virginia at Paris, as a Commissioner of Peace.

I am, Sir, with every possible regard / Your Excellency's / most obedient humble servant

Your Favour of 15th. Instant is this moment come to Hand. Mr Le Couteulx & Mr Grand called upon me last Evening upon the Same subject.— I told them both what I now repeat to you “That I have no Right, Power or Authority, whatsoever to give any orders, Directions or Advice in this Matter, Mr Morris alone, having the Authority of Congress to dispose of the Money.”—1 But if my opinion as a Man and a private Citizen would give them any Satisfaction it was, that Mr Le Couteulx should draw upon you at present, only for one Million of Florins, and leave the rest after Mr Grand Shall have drawn out the 400,000 Livres for the Interest of the Money borrowed by the King of France, in Holland, to pay the Draughts of Mr Morris as they may arrive, or to be paid hereafter to Mr Le Couteulx or Mr Grand, according as Necessities may appear.2

There was no Copy of Mr Morris's Letter inclosed in yours to me. I Should be glad if Mr Dumas would hasten in all the Accounts of Repairs to the House, and let them be paid off.

I know not, when the Obstructions to Trade will all be removed 72by a Peace.— But if the Nations of the armed Neutrality Should all follow the Example of the King of Great Britain, in acknowledging our Independence, and protect their own Ships in going and coming to and from our Ports, I think the Impediments to Trade between Holland and America, would be lessened. I have the Honour to be, with much Esteem, Gentlemen, your most obedient and humble Servant