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Acknowledges receipt of dispatches covering the beginnings of the Yorktown campaign, and approves the actions he has taken. He urges Rochambeau to formulate plans for the coming winter so that some idea could be had of the supplies and money necessary for the support of the army.

A discussion of the plans for a possible attack on New York after the arrival of de Grasse. He expresses resistance to a suggestion from Washington that he join the fleet of when it arrives.

Sets the date and explains plans for the New York raid.

Agrees to the detention of the fleet at Rhode Island, relates that the British army is between Richmond and Fredericksburg, but that their destination is uncertain. He also replies to Rochambeau's news that the French West Indies fleet under de Grasse would arrive to participate in the 1781 summer campaign. He suggests leaving it to de Grasse to choose his landing place from the news he receives before he sails. Written partially in ciphers, with an interlinear decipher. Most of the cipher in this letter is by simple substitutions; some is in a numerical code.

Reports the end of the Pennsylvania troops mutiny, and the trip of Lt. Col. Laurens to the Court of France to negotiate finances.

Sends Rochambeau a translation into French of the intercepted letter from George Washington to Lund Washington, and tells him that he saw no harm in the criticism. He also writes about relieving the Southern States, about the intention of the French ministry to send further help to America, and again about the necessity of keeping secret any funds sent to America as a subsidy. He also mentions the Franklin-Necker contract.

More about the financing of the French army. He again objects to the financial dealings of Holker.

Another plea for settlement of the French debts at Philadelphia. He reveals that the failure of reinforcements for the Rhode Island fleet to arrive was caused by the fact that Admiral de Guichen did not give the code book to Admiral de Monteil, who was therefore unable to read his letters. Lafayette has sailed down Chesapeake Bay, and is waiting at Annapolis to go farther.

A long description of the course of the war in the South. Morgan's victory over Tarleton at Cowpens is described, as well as the complicated maneuvers between Greene and Cornwallis, the attacks by the Creek and Cherokee Indians on the frontiers, and the Arnold expedition in Chesapeake Bay.

News of the naval battle off Chesapeake Bay between the fleets of de Grasse and Graves. He also writes about the supply of flour for the army, the possibility of an attack on Philadelphia, and money for the army.