is worth your being wholly engaged in it, as it will be glorious,
important; and I may say it now, because necessary for the support of the
great cause in which you acted so early and decisive a part. What you
mentioned confidentially to me at Boston, I have duly noticed, and shall
ever remember with the attention of a friend. For fulfilling the same
purpose, I wish we may be under particular obligations to you on this
occasion.

"Give me leave, my dear sir, to suggest to you an idea which I have lately
thought of: all the continental officers labor under the most shameful want
of clothing. When I say shameful, it is not to them, who have no money to
buy--no cloth to be bought. You can conceive what may be theirs and our
feelings, when they will be with the French general and other officers; and
from a general idea of mankind and human honor it is easily seen how much
we should exert ourselves to put the officers of the army in a more decent
situation.

"I beg, my dear sir, you will present my respects to your family, and
believe me most affectionately,

"Yours,

"LAFAYETTE."


"_Boston, June_, 1780:

"My Dear Marquis,

"Yesterday your very obliging letter of the 30th May was brought to me by