PARIS, 25th March, 1782.
My dear Madam:
I am exeedingly uneasy at not having had the pleasture of hearing from you for such a length of tinme as has intervened since your last Letter & the more so as I wrote to you about three weeks ago, giving you a long extract from a letter I had that very day received from Mr. Izard & which was written from your house near James river, on the 30th Oct'r. I enclosed at the same time a letter from your Manager, Mr. Valentinie, which Mr. Izard desired me to send you. Lest My letter should have miscarried I will again transcribe what Mr. Izard writes about your affairs. I have no later accounts from him but I am flattered with the hope that he has got possession of his Estates which some French gentlemen lately arrived from America have assured Mr. de Clonard of as a fact. It may be so, but until I have it under his own hand I cannot give a hearty credit to the news.
[The extract from Mr. Izard's letter, which has been before given, need not be repeated.]
I have indeed no thought of going out this Stummer, but I some time please myself with the hopes that such a scheme may be practicable next Autumn. The English Newspapers give us no great room to hope for Peace, from the present disposition of the House of Commons. Mr. Forth has spent some days in Paris & it is said he came to sound the inclinations of the French Ministry & of Dr. Franklin on that subject. He is returned for England & we may know more in a little while. The Island of St. Kits seems in a very doubtful situation. Had Admiral Hood been at a greater distance from it, I cannot help thinking it might have been full as well for the Inhabitants. They must then have submitted to the French without much loss or bloodshed, now they are harrassed by an Army in their Country which will undoubtedly suffer exceedingly.
I have a letter this Day from Mrs. Chabanel who informs me that Amsterdam has joined her voice to Friese for the Independance of America. Pray present my best Compliments to Mr. Lee & accept both of my congratulations on the event. It comes rather late in the day & the blessing seems pretty well assured to us without their concurrence. I am much pleased at seeing that the French officers who have been in America speak with great regard of the country & its inhabitants & particularly of the virtue of the Ladies. Mrs. Lloyd is very much admired though neither he nor she are in high favour with their countrymen on account of their politics. I do not get this Intelligence from Mr. Izard. My family are all well. Peggy & Charlotte desire me to present their Compliments to you & the young Ladies. I am, Dear Madam, with all good wishes, Your affecte friend & Serv't,
A. IZARD.
My Comp'ts to Mr. Jenings.