This was agreeable to me, because it gave me the opportunity of seeing into the abilities of foreign courts, and their manner of doing business.

But a misunderstanding arising between Congress and me, respecting one of their commissioners then in Europe, Mr.Silas Deane, I resigned the office, and declined at the same time the pecuniary offers made by the Ministers of France and Spain, M.Gerald and Don Juan Mirralles.] I had by this time so completely gained the ear and confidence of America, and my own independence was become so visible, as to give me a range in political writing beyond, perhaps, what any man ever possessed in any country, and, what is more extraordinary, I held it undiminished to the end of the war, and enjoy it in the same manner to the present moment.

As my object was not myself, I set out with the determination, and happily with the disposition, of not being moved by praise or censure, friendship or calumny, nor of being drawn from my purpose by any personal altercation, and the man who cannot do this is not fit for a public character.
When the war ended I went from Philadelphia to Borden-Town, on the east bank of the Delaware, where I have a small place.

Congress was at this time at Prince-Town, fifteen miles distant, and General Washington had taken his headquarters at Rocky Hill, within the neighbourhood of Congress, for the purpose of resigning up his commission (the object for which he accepted it being accomplished), and of retiring to private life.

While he was on this business he wrote me the letter which I here subjoin: "Rocky-Hill, Sept.