Head Quarters, April 1, 1778.
Dear Sir:
By your favor of yesterday I am made acquainted with the feelings of your mind on the subject of my proposal communicated to you by Colo. Hamilton, the undisguised manner in which you express yourself cannot but strengthen my good opinion of you. As the offer on my part was purely the result of a high sense of your merit, and as I would by no means divert you from a Career in which you promised yourself greater happiness, from its affording more frequent opportunities of acquiring Military fame, I entreat you to pursue your own inclinations, as if nothing had passed on this Subject,
and to be assured of the good wishes of, Dear Sir Yours &ca.1
1 The draft is in the writing of John Laurens.