I had the happiness to receive your two favours of the 12th and 31st ult. by Major Flagg, and, sorry you meet with so much difliculty in getting the matters you have in charge for j-ouri^elf and old mother officers settled to your mind; however, I don't doubt your perseverance will in a sliort time effect it. I know, nothing in yoiu power will be omitted to serve your friends of which I have "ever had the strongest assurances of being one. I often very agreeably reflect upon the toils and dangers we have gone through together, during the course of this horrid wur ; and nothing would liave been more agreeable than to have had your company in command to the end of it. But so it could not be, without injustice to a great military character and a very worthy geutleman.a We therefore must, for the present, be apart. I was overjoyed at the :Major's arrival. I yesterday went Willi him to the lines at Pines Bridge. Isliall join him, myself, iuavcry few davs. We have at present but about two hundred, including officers, to guard about twenty miles ; but expect, as soon as the men get out of the small-pox, to have the force augmented to three or four hundred. I am exceedingly sorry the Governor and family had not the pleasure of Gen. Washington's company when he was in Rhode Island, as I am sure nothing could have been inore pleasing to them. I hardly know wliat to tliink of the plan of boats, as they call them, in the French plan you sent me : and therefore can at present give no judgment on the matter. Should you see any of the gentlemen of my acqudntance, please to present them with my most rt-sperttul compliiuents.