Paris, 18 February, 1783.
My dearest Friend,--The peace,[213] which sets the rest of the world at
ease, increases, I think, my perplexities and anxiety. I have written to
Congress a resignation, but I foresee there will not be a speedy
decision upon it, and I shall be left in a state of suspense that will
be intolerable. Foreseeing this, I am determined not to wait for an
acceptance of my resignation, but to come home without it, provided it
does not arrive in a reasonable time. Don't think, therefore of coming
to Europe. If you do, we shall cross each other, and I shall arrive in
America about the same time that you may arrive in Europe.
I shall certainly return home in the spring. With or without leave,
resignation accepted or not, home I will come, so you have nothing to do
but wait to receive your old friend