l, that he may
send it to those to whom it is due.

I have the honor to be, &c.

LUZERNE.

* * * * *

TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.

Translation.

Philadelphia, April 13th, 1782.

Sir,

I embrace the first moment after my return from Virginia, to comply
with the request of the principal officers of our army, in tendering
you their sincere respects.

I have already forwarded to your Excellency a letter from Count de
Rochambeau; on my return here, I found letters from my Court, dated in
February last. They do not announce anything pacific, on the part of
our enemies. No progress is made in the mediation of the Courts of
Vienna and Petersburg, and the Court of London seems determined to
risk the event of another campaign, in which they will employ all the
strength they have left. The plan for the campaign was not yet finally
decided, it depending on some arrangements, which were yet to be made
with the Court of Madrid, and on some advices, which were expected
from the Antilles. It nevertheless seemed to be the intention to act
vigorously for the assistance of the United States, and though no
particular assurances could be given me on this head, yet from what
they write me, it is probable that New York or Charleston, or perhaps
both, will be the object of their efforts next campaign.

I think it, however, proper to inform you, that at the same time they
announce to me their general views, they observe, that it is an
unhappy circumstance, that the American army is so weak as it is; and
they seem to fear, that it will not be in a condition to second their
efforts, when it shall be necessary to strike, a decisive stroke, or
to undertake operations, in which such extensive means are required as
in a siege.

I beg your Excellency would enable me to give my Court the necessary
information on a matter so important as this is. I am not curious to
know any of the particular details relative to your army, which it may
be necessary to keep secret, but the military operations of France and
America are so intimately connected, that it is indispensable for us
to know what is the actual force and means which you have, in order to
calculate with any degree of probability what enterprises can be
undertaken. Our ignorance in this respect cannot but be