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An acknowledgement of the receipt of Rochambeau's letter of July 8th.

A note at the beginning of this letter reads "Chiffre de M. de Vergennes." This was not the proper code, as it is not decoded here, and the whole letter is repeated, with the coded portions in the proper code, below. He requests the return of some sailors who had deserted to Rochambeau's army.

In response to a request from Rochambeau that he be permitted to return to France because of poor health, he is told that it is of the greatest importance that he should finish the year's campaign.

Suggests that a chain of dispatch riders be established between the French and American headquarters. Rochambeau's note states that the letter was received Dec. 15.

Explains why he was prevented from meeting Rochambeau, expresses his pleasure that they are in agreement on the position for Rochambeau's troops, and encloses a copy of an intelligence report just received from La Luzerne.

Intelligence that the British have been landing troops on Staten Island. He plans to halt the American troops for one day at Springfield, and hopes that Rochambeau will stop his troops at Whippany, and reassures him that this will not delay plans for an embarkation.

States that the forces on Staten Island are not large, and suggests that Rochambeau march his troops in one or two Divisions. A rendezvous at Princeton is mentioned as well. This letter is listed and reproduced in The American Campaigns of Rochambeau's Army 1780, 1781, 1782, 1783, trans. and ed. by Howard C. Rice, Jr., and Anne S. K. Brown, Vol. I, p. xvii and between pp. 60 and 61.

Concerns the progress of the Yorktown siege. He warns that his ships can accomplish nothing because of the lack of pilots; speaks of his lack of bread on the ships, and other matters. The report of the ship's officer, who had been captured attempting to escape from Yorktown in a small vessel, gives a picture of events within the besieged town.

News of General Leslie's landing at Cape Fear in North Carolina.

Proposes a naval expedition to Chesapeake Bay, says he is sending copies of two letters from Greene regarding the successes in South Carolina (letters not present).