Baltimore, February 7th, 1783.
Sir,
The Chevalier de Ville Brune was so kind as to communicate to me your Excellency's letter to him of January, together with the intelligence therein referred to. I feel myself bound to return you my thanks for your orders to the Guadeloupe frigate to receive me. If I should think a passage should be hazarded under present circumstances, according to this information, (which is the most worthy of credit of any we have received here,) it would seem, that our capture would be unavoidable were we to go out now. This then is a risk, to which I cannot think of exposing his Majesty's vessel and subjects, however I might be disposed to encounter personal hazards, from my anxiety to execute with all the promptitude in my power a service, which has been assigned to me. I shall, therefore, wait with patience the arrival of the moment, when the Chevalier de Ville Brune shall be of opinion, that the one or the other of the vessels may venture out without any greater risk, than he shall think proportioned to her proper object, independently of mine.
It has been suggested to me this evening, that perhaps their safe departure might be greatly forwarded by their falling down to York or Hampton, there to be ready at a moment's warning, to avail themselves of those favorable circumstances, which the present season sometimes offers, but of this yourself will be the proper judge.
I cannot close my letter without expressing to you my obligations to the Chevalier de Ville Brune for the particular attention he has shown to my accommodation on board his ship. The apartments he has had constructed for me are ample and commodious, and his politeness and merit as an officer are an agreeable presage of everything, which shall depend on him.
I have the honor to be, with the highest sentiments of esteem, &c.
THOMAS JEFFERSON.
TO GENERAL GREENE.
Philadelphia, February 14th, 1783.
Dear Sir,