The envoys had despatched Colonel Wilton, from their number, back to America to make a report of the progress of their negotiations to Congress.

This had been done, and General Washington had been informed of the situation.
The little ship, one of the gallant vessels of the nascent American navy, in which Colonel Wilton had returned from France, had attacked and captured a British brig of war during the return passage, and young Seymour, who was the first lieutenant of the ship, was severely wounded.

The wound had been received through his efforts to protect Colonel Wilton, who had incautiously joined the boarding-party which had captured the brig.

After the interview with Congress, Colonel Wilton was requested to await further instructions before returning to France, and, pending the result of the deliberations of Congress, after a brief visit to the headquarters of his old friend and neighbor General Washington, he had retired to his estate.

As a special favor, he was permitted to bring with him the wounded lieutenant, in order that he might recuperate and recover from his wound in the pleasant valleys of Virginia.