e Court
you are at, and to procure every species of intelligence, which may
serve to regulate our conduct here. We have yet had no information
except what you mention, of any new proffer of their mediation by the
Imperial Courts; it is an important object, and I wish you to throw
all the light you possibly can upon it; as we are particularly anxious
to know the substance of the answer, which you suppose to have been
given to it by Spain. You need never be under the least apprehensions
in vouching boldly for this country, that it will make no peace which
is inconsistent with its engagement to its allies. Perhaps this string
skilfully touched may lead nations who have hitherto kept aloof, to
form connexions which may bind us to them.

The enclosed resolutions will show you the sense of Congress on that
subject; and the resolutions, which you will see in some of the papers
sent you, expressive of the same sentiments from almost every separate
legislature, will show that the fidelity of this country is
incorruptible.

The season of the year affords no military intelligence. Our troops
are in quarters at West Point. The French army are waiting at
Providence such orders as the operations in the West Indies may
suggest. Their fleet is still at Boston. The America, built at
Portsmouth, is added to them. She is pronounced by connaisseurs to be
a very fine ship; should she answer their expectations, we may hope
to build others for European powers. This would be a very important
commercial object, and as such deserves attention.

General Carleton has restrained the savages from continuing the war,
which they have so long carried on against our frontiers; and Haldiman
has suffered those they had led into captivity to return on parole, so
that we have reason to hope that a little more humanity will mark
their future operations in this country, if ever they should find
themselves sufficiently strong to venture from behind their ramparts.
This consideration, together with the intercession of the Court of
France, has induced Congress to forego their intended retaliation on
Captain Asgill, who is discharged from his confinement and suffered to
go to New York on parole.

You will find in the enclosed papers, all the intelligence we have
with respect to the proposed evacuation of Charleston. We have been in
daily expectation of hearing that it was abandoned for a long time
past, but have not as yet had our expectations answered.

T