stify
himself; but having lived intimately with him now fifteen months, the
greatest part of the time in the same house, and been a constant
witness of his public conduct, I cannot omit giving this testimony,
though unasked, in his behalf, that I esteem him a faithful, active,
and able minister, who, to my knowledge, has done in various ways
great and important services to his country, whose interests I wish
may always, by every one in her employ, be as much and as effectually
promoted.

With my dutiful respects to the Congress, I have the honor to be, &c.

B. FRANKLIN.

* * * * *

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Delaware Bay, 10th July, 1778.

Sir,

I have now the pleasure of acquainting your Excellency of my arrival
here yesterday, on board the Languedoc, commanded by his Excellency
Count d'Estaing, with a fleet of twelve sail of the line, and four
frigates. We sailed from Toulon the 10th of April last. I presume
therefore that I have no intelligence from Europe so late as what you
must be possessed of already. Finding that the enemy had escaped, the
Admiral resolved instantly to pursue them to New York, and will sail
this morning for that port, but he has no pilot. If, therefore, pilots
can be sent to meet him on his arrival, it will be of the utmost
service to the expedition. I shall embark this afternoon in company
with his Excellency, Mons. Gerard, for Philadelphia, and hope soon to
have the honor of paying my respects to your Excellency and the
honorable Congress in person, and to congratulate you on the late
glorious events. I have sent Commodore Nicholson express, who can
inform you of our situation. Permit me to recommend him as an active,
spirited officer, to whom the Admiral has been much obliged by his
services during our passage.

I have the honor to be, with the most profound respect, your
Excellency's most obedient, and very humble servant,

SILAS DEANE.

_P. S._ His Excellency the Admiral desires, that on the arrival of the
pilots at the Hook, where they will find his fleet, they would make a
signal with a white flag, either on board their boat, if they have
one, or from the shore, formed in a triangle. Mons. Chouen, who will
wait on you with a letter from the Admiral, sets out suddenly,