Passy, 13 February, 1779.
Yours of 15th December was sent me yesterday by the Marquis, whose
praises are celebrated in all the letters from America. You must be
content to receive a short letter, because I have not time now to write
a long one. I have lost many of your letters, which are invaluable to
me, and you have lost a vast number of mine. Barnes, Niles, and many
other vessels are lost.
I have received intelligence much more agreeable than that of a removal
to Holland; I mean that of being reduced to a private citizen, which
gives me more pleasure than you can imagine. I shall therefore soon
present before you your own good man. Happy, happy indeed shall I be,
once more to see our fireside. I have written before to Mrs. Warren, and
shall write again now. Dr. J. is transcribing your Scotch song, which is
a charming one. Oh, my leaping heart!