(ORIGINAL.)
At the entrance of Boston harbour, April 27, 1780.
Here I am, my dear general, and, in the midst of the joy I feel in finding myself again one of your loving soldiers, I take but the time to tell you that I came from France on board a frigate which the king gave me for my passage. I have affairs of the utmost importance which I should at first communicate to you alone. In case my letter finds you anywhere this side of Philadelphia, I beg you will wait for me, and do assure you a great public good may be derived from it.
To-morrow we go up to the town, and the day after I shall set off in my usual way to joined my beloved and respected friend and general.
Adieu, my dear general; you will easily know the hand of your young soldier.
My compliments to the family.
Endnote:
1. The second of the measures discussed in the preceding letter was the one preferred, and M. de Lafayette embarked alone at the island of Aix.