By a letter just received from the Chief Justice, I find that he has had in his possession the copies you mentioned of General Washington's letters during the French war, which he has sent to Alexandria. My doubts on this subject are thus cleared up. 

He informs me, moreover, that he has sent a volume of letters for the year 1787, which he had retained by accident. The third volume of Orders does not yet come to light.

In making to you the proposal in my last letter respecting the publication of the letters received by General Washington, I forgot to state what I fully intended to do, that I shall expect the charge for copying these papers to be deducted from the avails of the work before any dividend shall be made. This is essential, and I beg you to consider it one of the conditions of my proposal.

I am now going carefully through some of these files, and am still persuaded, that three or four volumes of valuable materials may be gathered from them. Will you not write to have Hamilton's and Lafayette's letters returned? They will be very desirable for this collection, as well as for elucidating some parts of General Washington's writings.

I am, Sir, with great respect, and sincere regards, your most obedt servt