After various Reports of the Capture of the Boston by a British Cruizer, and of her being struck with Lightning at Sea, it was with peculiar Pleasure I lately receiv'd an Assurance Of your Safe Arrival in France. Not long after you sail'd, Mrs. Adams wrote me a Letter upon a Report of Dr. Franklin's having been assassinated, full of the tenderest Anxiety, and the most amiable Sentiments, sollicitous for the Safety of her dear Partner whom she had given up for a long Interval, to the Service of our Country. I did evr'y Thing I could, in my Reply, to sooth her afflicted Mind, and most sincerely take Part in the Joy which a Letter, I am just inform'd, she has receiv'd from you, must afford her.1 I feel happy that my Country has two such Negotiators as you and your Collegue at the first Court in Europe, and not a little proud that I can call you both my Friends. May Heaven support you under your public Cares, and prosper all your Efforts for the Safety and Happiness of our dear Country. I congratulate you on the Prospect of a speedy and glorious End to our great Contest, that must give us a distinguish'd Place among the Nations, and peculiar Honor to those whose Services have eminently contributed to it. The Monarch, at whose Court you reside, gave by his wise and generous Treaty, a new Turn to our Affairs. They were indeed very far from being desperate· without it, but the Alliance with France gave a new Spring in ev'ry Part, and rapidly brighten'd all our Prospects. Our Paper Credit is that which of all others still labors most. It has remain'd rather at a Stand for some Time then been much advanc'd. I hope by forreign Loans, 249or some Method or other, we shall soon be reliev'd in this important Point. I refer you for the State of our Affairs to the Paper, and Letter I have sent by this Conveyance to Dr. Franklin.2 The Vessel being on the Point of Sailing I must close. Adieu my dear Friend, and accept the warmest Tenders of Esteem and Affection from Your's

I have wrote you several long Letters since you left us, some of which you will doubtless by the Enemy be releived from the trouble of reading. My last was by Capt. Barnes about 14 days ago,1 at A Time when we had reason to be Anxious for your safety. Two days ago for the first time we were Ascertained of the safe Arrival of the Boston and of your being in Paris. This Intelligence we have by A Packet from France in 46 days, which brought public and private Letters. I am told there are Letters from you tho' I have not the Honour and Happiness of being Numbered Among those to whom they are directed. I suppose the public Letters2 that go by this Conveyance with the Gazettes we shall Inclose will give you all the News of this Country. Great Expectations are formed here from the Circumstances and Situation of our own Army, and that of the Enemy. We have no Cruizers on our Coasts at this Time they are all Called into Hallifax where they are in the Horrors from the Apprehension of A French Fleet said to be in these Seas, tho' we have yet no perticular Account of them. By this Means our prizes and Merchantmen have A fine Chance to get in, and they succeed Accordingly. This Vessel goes of f so suddenly that I fear Mrs. Adams will not hear of this Oppertunity to write. If she does not it may be some satisfaction to you to be Informed that she is well. I am Obliged to Conclude and Am Your Assured Friend and Humbl. Servt.