I ought to be well convinced of your goodness to take so much liberty, but the object is of such importance to the common cause, that I have no doubt of your excusing me.
If the communication between you and M. de Vaudreuil is regular and sure, you might, I should think, correspond without cypher; if not I must beg you to furnish M. de Vaudreuil with a cypher to make the matter more secure, and if your Excellency will from time to time give me the same information I shall be exceedingly obliged.
The procuring of the necessary intelligence must be attended with extraordinary expense; I must beg that your Excellency will charge some one to acquaint me of the sums necessary for the purpose, and to whom I shall pay it. These expenses being wholly for the service of our fleet, must be charged to the Department of the Marine, and I have taken the necessary measures that they may be exactly paid.
By our last accounts from France the Duc de Lauzun, and many other officers who had sailed, were obliged to put back, having met with a storm. It is supposed they may have sailed again towards the last of June.
I am, &c.
LUZERNE.
TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.
Translation.
Philadelphia, August 14th, 1782.
Sir,